Illini softball sweeps Michigan State doubleheader

Illinois infielder Angelena Mexicano swings during the bottom of the first inning against Illinois-Chicago at Eichelberger Field on March 21. Illinois softball kicked off the weekend against Michigan State. Beck Diefenbach

Beck Diefenbach

Illinois infielder Angelena Mexicano swings during the bottom of the first inning against Illinois-Chicago at Eichelberger Field on March 21. Illinois softball kicked off the weekend against Michigan State. Beck Diefenbach

By Mike Theodore

The Illini softball team swept a doubleheader Friday afternoon against Michigan State.

Freshman pitcher Vicky Brown pitched 5 innings to notch her 15th win of the season in the Illini’s 9-6 victory in the first game. The Illini lead the nation in home runs per game and added four more long balls to help Brown.

In the nightcap the Illini scored five runs in the top of the second and went on to win 9-6 again. Brown earned her first career save.

The wins improved the Illini record to 4-2 in Big Ten play and 25-14 overall.