COLUMBIA S.C. –Illinois softball shutout Columbia, 4-0, on Sunday morning in the Fighting Illini's final contest of the Gamecock Invitational at Carolina Softball Stadium.
The Illini improved to 12-6 this year with the victory. The team closed out the weekend with a 3-1 record. Columbia dropped to 2-7 with the loss.
Wiles went the distance for Illinois, moving to 2-3 on the year, giving up four hits, walking two and fanning five.
At the plate, the Fighting Illini were paced by senior Kelly Ryono, who went 2-for-4 on the day with a home run and two RBI. Danielle Davis logged her second homer of the year when the redshirt senior pinch hit in the seventh. Avrey Steiner had a solid outing for Illinois, putting together three hits in four trips to the plate.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After a pair of scoreless innings for both squads, Illinois drew first blood and did not look back. Steiner led off the third with a single before Ryono sent a blast over the wall in centerfield, giving the Illini the 2-0 edge.
The Orange and Blue's bats went quiet until the seventh when another homer doubled the team's lead. Megan Ward began the frame with a double before Davis came up with a dinger to put the team ahead, 4-0.
The Lions rallied late with a walk and a single putting a pair of runners on in the bottom of the seventh. But Wiles delivered in the circle, completing the shutout victory in the tournament finale.
Next, Illinois hits the road next weekend for a tournament at South Florida from March 10-12
GAME NOTES
» Illinois wore navy jerseys and moved to 3-2 when wearing those
» Illinois improved to 1-0 against Ivy League schools this season.
» The contest featured Kelly Ryono for Illinois and Megan Ryono of Columbia, the first collegiate meeting for the twins
» Wiles logged her first complete game this season and the Illini pitching staff's 10th on the year.
» Steiner's three hits in the victory gave the infielder 199 for her career.
