The Eastern softball team (20-18, 10-4 in the Ohio Valley Conference) played in-state rival No. 18 Illinois (29-5, 3-2 in the Big Ten) Thursday in Champaign, and the Illini were too much to handle as they scored early and often, finishing the game in five innings, 8-0.

Illini freshman pitcher Jackie Guy pitched a gem in five innings, surrendering two hits and compiling eight strikeouts against an intimidated Eastern offense.

“I think (Guy) did what she needed to do, but I want our offense to be more aggressive,” Eastern head coach Kim Schuette said. “I thought we were kind of intimidated by what their offense was doing to our defense, and so we swung the bats differently.”

For Eastern, freshman pitcher Natalie Wunderlich got the starting nod, going 3 1/3 innings, giving five runs on seven hits. She had three strikeouts.

“(Wunderlich) did some good things,” Schuette said. “She threw better than the score showed.”

Wunderlich surrendered two home runs on the night as the Illini came out attacking on offense, scoring two in the first inning.

Illinois senior left fielder Hope Howell hit a two-run home run off of Wunderlich in the first inning, then junior right fielder Hollie Pinchback hit a three-run homer in the third inning to end Wunderlich’s outing.

In relief of Wunderlich, freshman pitcher Hailie Ray entered the game to pitch the rest of the five-inning fight. Ray pitched what would be the final two outs on defense, giving up one hit and striking out one batter.

“I think both (Wunderlich) and (Ray) are at a point now where they can pitch this weekend and that’s what we wanted,” Schuette said.

Senior right fielder Denee’ Menzione was one of the two Panthers to register a hit, and she helped Eastern get into scoring position in the first inning.

Eastern had second and third with two outs, but sophomore first baseman Amanda Bilina struck out swinging to stall the Eastern attack.

Sophomore third baseman Ashley Anderton was the other Panther to register a hit, which came in the fifth inning when Eastern tried to mount a comeback.

Anderton led of the top half with a single but three consecutive strikeouts ended the inning and the game.

“Anyone can win on any given day but today they were better than us,” Schuette said. “We have to tip our hats to them.”

The Illini ran away with a shutout victory as they were just the superior team Wednesday night.

“Illinois was better than us,” Schuette said.

That Panthers will enter a crucial OVC series this weekend against Tennessee Martin (32-7, 11-3 OVC) in Martin, Tenn.

Eastern will have a chance to overtake the Skyhawks, who are the top team in the OVC. The Panthers are currently one game behind them.

The three-game series begins Saturday at 1 p.m. in Martin, Tenn. for a doubleheader. The series will conclude Sunday with the game beginning at 1 p.m.

Alex McNamee can be reached at 581-7944 or [email protected]