ROSEMONT, Ill. - The Fighting Illini softball team earned the third seed in the 2022 Big Ten Softball Tournament, as the tournament bracket was released Sunday evening by the conference office.

Illinois earned a first-round bye as the third seed, and will begin action in the quarterfinals on Thursday (May 12) at 12:30 p.m. CT, facing the winner of No. 6 Ohio State and No. 11 Purdue.

The Illini earned the third seed as a result of their 15-7 regular-season conference record, the team's best finish since 2011 when the Illini also finished third. The 15 conference wins this season is the most under head coach Tyra Perry. Illinois is in search for their first Big Ten Softball Tournament championship, and first Big Ten championship in program history. 

All games at the tournament are set to be broadcasted live on the Big Ten Network, while Scott Beatty will have the call for all Illinois games on radio on WDWS 1400-am and 93.9 FM.

Michigan State will serve as the host for the tournament this week, and fans can find more information on the 2022 tournament HERE.

FULL BRACKET/SCHEDULE

Wednesday, May 11 (First Round)

Game 1 (#7 Penn State vs. #10 Rutgers) – 11 a.m. ET (BTN)

Game 2 (#6 Ohio State vs. #11 Purdue) – 1:30 p.m. ET (BTN)

Game 3 (#8 Wisconsin vs. #9 Minnesota) – 4:30 p.m. ET (BTN)

Game 4 (#5 Maryland vs. #12 Michigan State) – 7 p.m. ET (BTN)

Thursday, May 12 (Quarterfinal)

Game 5 (#2 Nebraska vs. Game 1 winner) – 11 a.m. ET (BTN)

Game 6 (#3 Illinois vs. Game 2 winner) – 1:30 p.m. ET (BTN)

Game 7 (#1 Northwestern vs. Game 3 winner) – 4:30 p.m. ET (BTN)

Game 8 (#4 Michigan vs. Game 4 winner) – 7 p.m. ET (BTN)

Friday, May 13 (Semifinals)

Game 9 (Game 5 vs. Game 6 winner) – 2 p.m. ET (BTN)

Game 10 (Game 7 vs. Game 8 winner) – 5 p.m. ET (BTN)

Saturday, May 14 (Championship)

Game 11 (Game 9 vs. Game 10 winner) – 1 p.m. ET (BTN)