URBANA – An eight-run loss to Michigan a day earlier didn't drain the confidence from the Illinois softball team.

It helped inspire the team for Sunday's Big Ten Conference game against the Wolverines at Eichelberger Field.

"We weren't happy with how they made us look," Lauren Gronski said. "We had to show what Illinois softball could possibly do."

Thanks to two runs in the sixth inning, Michigan salvaged the weekend sweep, beating the Illini 2-0.

Before the Wolverines prevailed, the Illini had made at least one believer.

"Their pitcher made great adjustments and stifled us," Michigan coach Carol Hutchins said. "They stayed poised. I don't look forward to playing them when they're juniors."

Illinois' all-freshman team had its best scoring threat in the sixth, loading the bases after Michigan elected to walk cleanup hitter Janna Sartini with runners on second and third.

Pitcher Marie Barda (6-4) escaped unscathed when Katie O'Connell hit a ground ball back to her.

"We're starting to get hits under pressure, but we didn't get them today," UI coach Terri Sullivan said. "We had our chances, but it comes down to timely hitting."

Illinois' Amanda Fortune (13-7), who yielded five hits in 11/3 innings Saturday, was called upon again Sunday.

The right-hander went the distance, walking no one and striking out four. Three of Michigan's seven hits came in succession to start the sixth.

"I don't believe in moral victories, but I feel good how the team came back," Sullivan said. "Amanda's pitching put us in good position to win, and I was impressed how we fought a good battle.

"Amanda came out throwing strikes and had an attitude of making them work to get their hits."

Rebecca Tune drove in both Michigan runs with a single. She followed with her hit on the first pitch after Melinda Moulden doubled down the left field line after an unsuccessful bunt attempt.

"I was trying to be conservative," Hutchins said, "but when she (Moulden) didn't get the bunt down, she turned around and had one of the biggest hits of the game."

The Illini managed two hits off Barda. Erin Montgomery singled to lead off the game but was thrown out stealing. Gronski led off the sixth with a single but was stranded at third base.

Illinois is 30-14 overall, the most wins to date by a Big Ten school.

Illini notebook

Senior Kim Hubbard, the lone holdover from last year's all-walk-on team, has voluntarily left the squad. She had two hits in four at-bats. ... This weekend's games were the first in Big Ten play for the Wolverines. The Illini are 2-2 in the conference. ... Michigan is 14-11-1 overall, but nine of the losses have been to nationally ranked opponents. ... Illinois and Michigan were two of 10 schools from the Mideast Region receiving votes in the inaugural poll released by the NCAA Division I women's softball committee. Teams are listed alphabetically until the third ranking. ... Illinois completes its eight-game homestand Tuesday with a 4 p.m. doubleheader against Butler.