The young Illinois softball team proved it can learn quickly Friday afternoon. After opening the second weekend of the season with a 4-1 loss to Hofstra, they made a quick recovery to defeat USF, 6-4, game two.

Freshman pitcher Monica Perry suffered her first loss of the season against Hofstra, pitching seven innings and surrendering four runs.

The lone Illini run came in the fifth. Freshman third baseman Kelley Wedel walked, eventually scoring on a wild pitch after advancing to third on a single by sophomore shortstop Ashley Conrad.

Junior Ashley Wright started in game two against USF, pitching four innings, allowing three runs. Perry (3-1) picked up from there, getting the win after going three innings and allowing one run while striking out six.

The Fighting Illini won the game 6-4 behind RBI contributions by five different players, including two RBIs on a sixth inning double by junior right fielder Hope Howell.

Illinois has one more chance against Hofstra Saturday morning before facing No. 10 Arizona later in the day.