WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - In game two of the series, which happened to be the last due to Inclement weather, the Illinois softball team bounced back offensively, seeing a 9-4 victory against Purdue Sunday afternoon at Bittinger Stadium. The Illini jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first three innings and never looked back.Â
Illinois (14-12, 1-1 B1G) were led by senior Avrey Steiner, who finished 3-5 with a double and 4 RBI. Sophomore Megan Ward and junior Kelly Ryono finished with near-identical numbers, finishing 3-4 with a double and 2 RBI and 2-2 with a double and 2 RBI, respectively. Starter Tori McQueen and relief pitcher Lauren Wiles combined for nine strikeouts on the day.Â
HOW IT HAPPENED
After a quick first inning by both teams, Illinois came into the second inning swinging after senior Kailee Powell was hit by a pitch. With one out and runners on the corners, freshman Zoe Caryl singled through the right side, driving in the opening run. Junior Gabi Robles bunted and beat the throw, advancing runners to first and second. In the ensuing at bat, Ward doubled down the third base line, scoring Illinois' second run. Steiner went back to back, hitting another double down the third base line, scoring two more Illinois runs.
The Orange and Blue capitalized on their hot hitting, with Powell reaching base on a single and graduate student Bella Loya reaching on an error. With runners on the corners once again, Ryono doubled into right center, scoring both baserunners. Caryl was walked at the next at bat, and Ward singled up the middle to score Caryl, putting the Illini up 7-0. In the bottom half, Purdue loaded the bases via a Kiara Dillon single, a Rachel Becker double, and a Rylee Platusic walk. Echazarreta took the opportunity and hit a home run over the left field wall, trimming the Illinois lead to 7-4. The game was halted after the third inning due to Inclement weather.
After both teams went down in the fourth, Ryono was walked to start the fifth inning, and with two outs, Ward singled, putting runners on the corners for the third time of the afternoon. Steiner wasted no time, singling up the middle, scoring an Illini baserunner.Â
In the sixth inning, both teams went three up, three down, including three strikeouts from Wiles.
In the final stanza of the afternoon, Steiner singled with runners on second and third, making the score 9-4. Illinois held defensively, ending the game on a Platusic pop up.
As the second game of the afternoon was nearing the start, officials called off the game due to Inclement weather, resulting in a Big Ten opening series split.
UP NEXT
Illinois is set to take on Indiana State Wednesday evening, Mar. 30 at 5 p.m. CT at Eichelberger Field. The game will be streamed live on B1G+, while fans can follow the game via live stats and our twitter account, @IlliniSB.
