The Illinois softball team won the first ever Fighting Illini Invitational title this weekend, going undefeated in all three games.

Defeating Loyola (3-2) in extra innings Friday afternoon, the Illini went on to claim two more victories over Western Michigan (6-2) and Saint Louis (6-4).

Following Illinois’ win against Saint Louis, the four teams decided to conclude the tournament due to cold weather, canceling the remaining four games and thus crowning Illinois the champion.

The Illini’s first tournament championship of the year stemmed from late-game clutch hitting and two outstanding starts from pitchers Shelese Arnold and Pepper Gay.

“It didn’t come easy,” head coach Terri Sullivan said.

The Illini’s offense struggled in the opener against Loyola. Illinois was held scoreless until it was down to the last strike of the game, when first baseman Remeny Perez hit an RBI double to right field, driving in Jess Perkins and Kylie Johnson to tie the game at 2-2, sending it to extra innings. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Perkins delivered a walk-off single, driving in Jami Schkade.

“It was pretty nerve racking,” Perez said. “Going up there, you know the situation. You know what you’re up against, but in the end, it’s either you get it done, or you don’t. You either go home with the W, or not.”

Illinois continued its momentum into the second game of the Friday doubleheader. With a newly awoken offense, the Illini scored six runs on eleven hits against Western Michigan, including Jess Perkins’ bases-clearing double in the sixth inning. Perkins had four RBIs (six RBIs in the tournament) on two hits against the Broncos.

In the circle, Shelese Arnold held the Broncos offense to two runs on four hits in her third complete game of the year.

“I thought that was a really aggressive team, and Shelese did an outstanding job,” Sullivan said after the game.

Pepper Gay continued the Illini’s dominant weekend on defense, throwing another complete-game win against Saint Louis on Saturday. In her ninth complete game of the season, Gay allowed just three earned runs on only four hits.

The Illini had eleven more hits from seven different batters Saturday, scoring six runs. Shortstop Jessica Davis’ second inning solo home run over the center field wall set the mood early, while Perkins reached base two more times, hitting another double and driving in her sixth RBI on the weekend. Despite two RBI doubles in a late seventh inning surge from Saint Louis, Gay and the Illini held on for a 6-4 victory and the tournament championship.

Perez said the Illini’s unmatched performance came from the confidence the team regained after their comeback win over Loyola.

“What we say on our team is, ‘Fake it ‘til you make it,’” Perez said, “Whether you really do have it or not, you’ve got to look like you have it and just do it.”

The Illini’s confidence got a needed boost at just the right time in their schedule. Heading into Wednesday doubleheader against No. 8 Missouri, Illinois will open conference play next weekend against Wisconsin.

“We had a really tough (nonconference) schedule, so we can go into the Big Ten and that’s no problem for us,” Perkins said. “We’re just ready to start the Big Ten season and go after it.”

Sean can be reached at [email protected].