Illinois softball, which has won seven of its last 10 games, will look to continue its hot play today against Eastern Illinois at Eichelberger Field in Urbana.

Eastern has not been playing its best softball of late, losing its last four games by a combined score of 32-9. Eastern could be the Illini’s last mediocre opponent before a rough stretch to close out the season against three ranked teams.

Illinois will end the conference season this weekend with No. 13 Michigan, Michigan State and No. 17 Northwestern, the top three teams in the Big Ten standings. The Illini’s last non-conference game is against No. 25 Southern Illinois on May 3.

Leadoff hitter Rachelle Coriddi said two wins against EIU could make all the difference when it comes time to play their tough four-game stretch.

“Going into this weekend with two wins on our back is huge,” Coriddi said. “It’s just huge for the team’s morale and getting them fired up. We don’t take any (games) lightly – we go into each and every game thinking they’re in the Big Ten.”

Coriddi is just one steal away from tying the school record for steals in a single season. She set the mark last year with 23 and will most likely tie and could break it against an Eastern Illinois team that has a tendency to allow stolen bases. Through their first 50 games this season, the Panthers have allowed 52 stolen bases.

“Really for the four years she’s been here, we know that if she gets on base that could turn into a double because of her ability to steal,” said head coach Terri Sullivan of Coriddi. “She scores a lot. We feel very confident if she works hard to get on base, she can bring us a run.”

Coriddi said that she enjoys the fact that the Eastern Illinois team knows she can achieve the mark in the upcoming game.

“It’s like a cat and mouse game with the pitcher and catcher,” Coriddi said. “I think it’s also fun for them going into a game knowing how many stolen bases I have and them trying to catch me.”

Illinois starting pitcher Claire DeVreese will look to keep up her amazing play. On Saturday against Minnesota, DeVreese threw two complete games allowing only one run on 10 hits.

“This is the time of the year when pitchers should be at their best,” Sullivan said. “Her pitches are moving well, she’s hitting her spots well and she’s throwing with confidence and her team is behind her.”

Illinois is ranked seventh in the nation in double plays turned per game at .43, and a quality defense backing a pitcher is something that Sullivan said could affect DeVreese’s approach to the game, especially when it comes to turning double plays.

“It’s hard to turn (double plays) but we work a lot on turning the double play in practice,” Sullivan said. “We have infielders with great feet and quick hands so that helps as well. We definitely pitch for that sometimes and whenever you get a double play that really turns momentum around, it’s really demoralizing for an opponent’s offense.”