ST. LOUIS – Illinois softball began its run at the Billiken Spring Tournament with a pair of wins over St. Thomas and Saint Louis at the Billiken Sports Center on Sunday. The Fighting Illini topped the Tommies, 3-1, and SLU, 6-3.
Game One
Illinois needed nine innings but came away with the 3-1 victory over St. Thomas on Sunday afternoon.
The Fighting Illini moved to 6-9 with the win, while the Tommies fell to 3-20 this year.
Tori McQueen got the start in the circle, allowing just one run on three hits. She recorded her fourth complete game of the year, fanning a season-best 14 Tommie batters.
Adisyn Caryl led the way offensively for the Fighting Illini, going 1-for-3 in the ballgame with a walk and two RBI. Serena Starks added a noteworthy performance at the dish as well, going 1-for-3 with an RBI in extras.
How it Happened
Both teams were held scoreless through the first three innings, but Illinois struck first. With the bases loaded, Caryl scored Sydney Malott on a groundout, breaking up the stalemate.
Holding onto the 1-0 advantage, the Orange and Blue kept the Tommies scoreless in the fifth. However, the opposition rallied in the sixth, tying the contest.
With the game in extra innings, Caryl once again came through for the Illini, adding another RBI after driving in Malott to take the 2-1 lead. Starks added an RBI single, helping the Illini take the 3-1 edge into the bottom of the frame. Holding St. Thomas scoreless in the bottom half of the inning, Illinois secured the nine-inning victory.
Notes
» Illinois wore navy jerseys, moving to 3-2 while donning those.
» The Illini moved to 1-0 all-time against St. Thomas (Minn.).
» McQueen bested her season-high for strikeouts, tallying 14.
    » The 14 punchouts are fourth all-time at Illinois for a single game.
» The Fighting Illini out-hit the Tommies at a 6-3 clip.
» McQueen limited St. Thomas (Minn.) to just 1-for-9 (.111) with runners in scoring position.
» The game marked the first extra-inning affair for the Orange and Blue this year.
Game Two
Illinois rallied in the seventh to take the contest at Saint Louis, 6-3, in the Illini's second game of the day.
The Orange and Blue improved to 7-9 on the year, while the Billikens dropped to 12-6 this season.
Senior Tori McQueen (5-3) picked up the victory out of the bullpen for Illinois (7-9). The southpaw went 1.1 shutout innings without giving up a hit while allowing no walks and striking out two.
Paige Berkmeyer led the way offensively for the Fighting Illini, going 1-for-3 in the ballgame with a double and two RBI. Megan Ward put together a standout performance as well, going 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Sydney Malott also contributed, going 1-for-2 for Illinois with two walks and an RBI.
How It Happened
Saint Louis struck first, jumping out to a 3-0 advantage following the first two frames.
With two away in the third, the Orange and Blue loaded the bases with a single, double and a walk. Berkmeyer sent a double down the left-field line, plating a pair to cut the deficit to a run.
Three scoreless frames by both teams followed, leaving the Illini down to their final three outs. Kelly Ryono began the seventh with a single, and a pair of groundouts moved Ryono to third. Malott knocked a single to center, tying the game at three apiece. After Berkmeyer was hit by a pitch, a single by Caryl and a double from Ward gave Illinois the 6-3 advantage.
With McQueen in the circle looking to earn her second win of the day, the southpaw took down the Billikens in order, ending the game with a strikeout to secure the victory.
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Up Next
Illinois readies for a rematch with SLU at 12 p.m. on Monday at the Billiken Sports Complex.
Notes
» Illinois wore navy jerseys, moving to 4-2 while donning those.
» The Illini moved to 3-0 all-time against Saint Louis.
» The Fighting Illini out-hit the Billikens at an 11-3 clip.
» Illinois went 5-for-12 (.417) with runners in scoring position.
» Illinois pitchers limited Saint Louis to just 1-for-8 (.125) with runners in scoring position.
