CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. – Illinois softball began the second day of the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic with a 16-1 win over Cal Poly on Saturday morning.
Illinois improved to 2-5 on the year, while the Mustangs dropped to 7-4 this season.
Tori McQueen got the win for Illinois as the southpaw went five shutout innings, giving up four hits and one walk and striking out three.
Paige Berkmeyer went 3-for-4 with a home run in addition to her four RBI for the Fighting Illini. Kelly Ryono put together a standout day at the plate as well, going 1-for-4 with a home run and an RBI.  Sydney Malott also contributed for Illinois, putting together two hits in five trips to the plate while adding a double and two RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Illinois offense got off to a hot start with Serena Starks and Stevie Meade reaching on back-to-back singles. With two away, Adisyn Caryl sent a ball to shallow left field, scoring Starks on the play.
After three scoreless innings from McQueen in the circle, Megan Ward added a two-out double to begin another rally. Berkmeyer followed the senior with an RBI single, extending the Illini advantage.
Ryono added a solo bomb in the fifth, giving the Orange and Blue the 3-0 edge. Following the homer, Illinois put a pair of runners on with two away, and an error by Cal Poly scored another run for the Illini before Malott emptied the bases with a double.
Illinois built on its 6-0 lead in the top of sixth, with three straight singles,helping the Fighting Illini gain the 8-0 edge. Despite allowing a run in the sixth, Illinois tacked onto its lead in the top of the seventh thanks to a three-run homer from the bat of Berkmeyer. Abby Ryniec also plated a pair after a single to left center extended the 13-1 advantage.
Briana Bower closed out the seventh, taking down the Mustangs in order to end the 16-1 victory for the Orange and Blue.
UP NEXT
Illinois takes on #19 UCLA tonight at 5 p.m. at Big League Dreams. Fans can catch all the action on FloSports.
GAME NOTES
» Illinois wore navy uniforms for the first time this season.
» Every Illinois starter reached base safely in the win
» Five Fighting Illini had multiple hits in the ballgame.
» The Fighting Illini out-hit the Mustangs at a 16-6 clip.
» Illinois pitchers limited Cal Poly to 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position.
» The Illini are 5-3 all-time against Cal Poly.
» The 5.0 innings of work was the longest outing of the season for Tori McQueen.
» Ryono and Berkmeyer's homers were the first this season for each player.
» The win marks the first game this season that multiple Illini have hit home runs.
» The 16 hits were the most amassed by the program this year.
