LEESBURG, Fla. – Illinois softball picked up its first win of the year, topping Liberty, 5-1, during the opening contest of the Spring Games before coming up short against Kansas, 8-7, on Friday.
The Fighting Illini moved to 1-4 on the year following the split day. Liberty dropped to 2-6 following the Illini's victory, while Kansas improved to 4-5-1.
GAME ONE
Lauren Wiles started in the circle and picked up the win for Illinois, moving to 1-2 on the year. The right-hander went 4.2 innings, giving up one run on five hits, allowing three walks and striking out two. Tori McQueen tossed 2.1 scoreless innings while allowing one hit and fanning three Flame batters.
Offensively, the Fighting Illini were led by Adisyn Caryl, who went 2-for-3 on the day with a double and an RBI. Paige Berkmeyer compiled a standout day at the dish as well, going 2-for-3 with an RBI. Megan Ward also chipped in for Illinois, putting together two hits in three trips to the plate while adding an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After a scoreless opening frame by both squads, the Illini scoring started in the second inning. Sydney Malott got aboard on a leadoff walk and came across to score as Ward recorded the RBI on a fielder's choice.
After the Flames rallied to tie the ballgame at one, the Fighting Illini came back to retake the lead in the fourth inning. With a pair of one-out singles putting runners on first and second, Caryl sent a double down the left-field line, giving Illinois the 2-1 advantage. Another run scored on a RBI single from Berkmeyer, extending the Illini lead to two runs.
Following a scoreless fifth from both squads, Illinois plated its final two runs of the game with Yazzy Avila adding an RBI single to seal the 5-1 victory over Liberty.
GAME NOTES
» Illinois' wore anthracite jerseys, moving to 1-1 while donning those.
» The Fighting Illini out-hit the Flames at an 8-6 clip.
» Illinois went 3-for-8 (.375) with runners in scoring position.
» Illini pitchers limited Liberty to just 1-for-8 (.125) with runners in scoring position.
» Caryl, Berkmeyer and Ward each logged their first multi-hit game of the year.
» Sydney Malott extended her reached-base streak to four games.
» The Orange and Blue are 5-0 all-time against Liberty.
GAME TWO
Briana Bower got the ball to start for Illinois and took the loss. Offensively, Paige Berkmeyer paced the Fighting Illini squad, going 2-for-3 in the ballgame with a walk and two RBI. Adisyn Caryl furnished a standout performance at the dish as well, going 3-for-4 with an RBI. Abby Ryniec also chipped in, going 2-for-4 for Illinois with two RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Kelly Ryono got the offense started with a one-out single in the opening frame. After Stevie Meade reached on an error, Caryl came through with an RBI single, opening the scoring and giving the Illini a 1-0 lead.
However, the Illini advantage did not last, and a double by the Jayhawks scored a pair, giving Kansas a 2-1 advantage. Two scoreless frames followed for both squads, but Kansas plated five in the fourth to gain a six-run advantage.
In the top of the sixth, Caryl continued to impress with a leadoff single. An error put runners on the corners before Ryniec brought the runner home. The scoring continued with an RBI single by Berkmeyer, plating Megan Ward and putting Illinois behind, 7-3.
Kansas tacked on a solo homer in the sixth. Down to their final three outs, the Illini posted a rally that included RBI singles by Ryniec and Berkmeyer. However, a strikeout ended the Orange and Blue's comeback hopes, concluding the 8-7 loss.
GAME NOTES
» Illinois' wore anthracite jerseys, moving to 1-2 while donning those
» Four Illinois hitters had multiple base knocks in the ballgame.
» The Fighting Illini out-hit the Jayhawks at a 13-9 clip.
» Illinois went 7-for-17 (.412) with runners in scoring position.
» Sydney Malott extended her reached-base streak to four games.
» Berkmeyer extended her reached-base streak to four games.
» Illinois pitchers faced 34 Kansas hitters in the game, allowing eight ground balls and six fly balls while striking out four.
» The Illini dropped to 0-1 all-time against the Jayhawks.
Up Next
Due to inclement weather, Saturday's schedule at the Spring Games has been adjusted. The Illini are set to face off against Southern Illinois at 8:30 a.m. CT and UC Riverside at 11 a.m. CT.
