CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. – In the team's final game at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic, Illinois softball topped Hawaii, 6-2, on Sunday morning.
The Fighting Illini improved to 3-6 overall, while the Rainbow Wahine dropped to 1-8 this year.
Lauren Wiles got the win out of the bullpen for Illinois. The right-hander went five innings, giving up one run on three hits, allowing no walks and striking out four.
Megan Ward led the way offensively for the Fighting Illini, going 3-for-3 in the ballgame with a double and an RBI. Adisyn Caryl compiled a standout day at the plate as well, going 1-for-1 with a double, a walk and an RBI. Paige Berkmeyer also chipped in, going 1-for-2 for Illinois with a double and an RBI.
How it happened
Following a scoreless opening frame by both squads, the Illini fell behind in the second following a solo home run by Hawaii.
In the bottom of the second, Caryl began a rally for the Illini with a one-out double. A single for Sydney Malott followed before back-to-back doubles by Ward and Berkmeyer gave Illinois the 3-1 edge. Kelly Ryono tacked on an RBI single before the inning concluded, adding to the lead and giving the Illini a 4-1 advantage.
UH cut the deficit to a pair in the third, but the Fighting Illini offense carried its momentum into the latter half of the frame. Serena Starks and Abby Ryniec tallied singles, and a sacrifice fly from Caryl extended the 5-2 lead.
A scoreless fourth and fifth followed for both squads, but the Orange and Blue tacked on a run in the sixth following an error by the opposition. The four-run advantage held, giving the Fighting Illini the 6-2 victory over the Rainbow Wahine.
Up Next
Illinois heads to LSU for the Purple and Gold Challenge from March 1-3, when the team will face off against Louisiana Tech, McNeese, San Diego State and the host Tigers.
Notes
» Illinois wore white jerseys, moving to 1-2 while donning those.
» The Fighting Illini improved to 1-2 all-time against Hawaii.
» Abby Ryniec extended her hitting streak to seven games.
» Sydney Malott has reached base in every game this year.
» The Fighting Illini out-hit the Rainbow Wahine at a 9-5 clip.
» Illinois went 4-for-8 (.500) with runners in scoring position.
» Illinois pitchers limited Hawaii to just 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position.
» Illinois pitchers faced 30 Hawaii hitters in the game, allowing six ground balls and 11 fly balls while striking out four.
