URBANA, Ill. – Illinois softball closed out the series with Michigan State with a win at Eichelberger Field on Sunday afternoon, topping the Spartans 4-2 during the series finale.
Illinois improved to 27-21 overall and 6-11 in Big Ten play following the series sweep. MSU fell to 12-28 this year and 2-15 in league play following the loss.
Addy Jarvis picked up the victory out of the bullpen for Illinois. Tori McQueen started the ballgame and threw 4.2 innings, giving up two runs, one earned, on five hits, and fanned three batters. Lauren Wiles earned the save, her first of the year.
At the plate, the Fighting Illini were led by Sydney Malott, who went 1-for-3 on the day with a home run, a walk and two RBI. Delaney Rummell also went 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBI. Kelly Ryono added one hit in two trips to the plate while recording two walks.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Malott began the game with a two-run dinger in her first at bat, giving the Illini the early 2-0 edge.
Michigan State added runs in the fourth and fifth inning, tying the game. However, the stalemate did not last long as Rummell sent a ball over the wall to push the Orange and Blue ahead, 4-2 in the bottom of the fifth.
Wiles closed out the game, allowing just one hit and one walk during her time in the circle. The sophomore finished the contest with a strikeout, sealing the 4-2 victory for the Fighting Illini.
GAME NOTES
» Illinois wore orange uniforms, improving to 9-5 while donning those.
» The Fighting Illini moved to 16-3 when scoring in the first.
» The Illini jumped to 23-6 when scoring first.
» Every Illinois starter reached base safely in the win.
» The Fighting Illini out-hit the Spartans at a 10-6 clip.
» The Illini improved to 28-7 all-time against Michigan State.
» Jarvis owns a 5-3 record in the circle.
» Illinois last recorded a series sweep on April 15-17, 2022, at Rutgers.
UP NEXT
Illinois concludes its homestand with a contest against DePaul on Tuesday. First pitch from Eichelberger Field is slated for 5 p.m. on B1G+.
