CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The University of Iowa softball team defeated Illinois, 5-3, on Saturday afternoon at Eichelberger Field.

Freshman Jaylee Ojo (4-3) got the start for the Hawkeyes and had a career day throwing her third complete game of the season. Freshman Soo-Jin Berry was the only Iowa hitter to have a multi-hit game going 2-for-4 with an RBI.

The Hawkeyes were able to load the bases in the top of the second with one out and sophomore Skylinn Pogue capitalized with and RBI single to left field. Senior Grace Baes followed suit with an RBI single of her own to give Iowa the, 2-0, lead. Illinois got one back in the bottom of the inning on a sacrifice fly.

Iowa kept its offense going in the top of the third with an RBI double from freshman Soo-Jin Berry to score Devin Bowman from first base making it a, 3-1, game. Ojo continued to mow down the Illini hitters picking up three strikeouts in the bottom of the third inning.

The Hawkeyes added insurance in the top of the sixth on an RBI double from Avery Jackson and a sac fly from Banes to extend the lead to three. Ojo got into some trouble in the bottom of the seventh as the Illini loaded the bases with no outs. Illinois plated one run on a sac fly to make it, 5-3, and loaded the bases once again. Ojo locked in and got the final two outs to secure the Hawkeye victory.

Iowa finished the game with five runs on nine hits and one error