URBANA, Ill. – Illinois softball hosted #11 Missouri for a home-opening doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon at Eichelberger Field. The Fighting Illini dropped both battles, 5-4 and 10-2.
The Orange and Blue fell to 8-11 on the year, while Mizzou improved to 22-3 this season.
GAME ONE
Tori McQueen got the ball to start for Illinois, and despite taking the loss, the southpaw went the distance and struck out nine batters.
Offensively, the Fighting Illini were led by Stevie Meade, who went 2-for-4 on the day with a home run and three RBI. Kelly Ryono put together a standout performance as well, going 1-for-4 with a double. Adisyn Caryl also helped Illinois, putting together two hits in four trips to the plate.
How it Happened
With both teams locked in a scoreless bout through three, Mizzou drew first blood in the top of the fourth. However, the 1-0 edge for the Tigers was short lived, as Caryl and Paige Berkmeyer tallied back-to-back singles to put runners on the corners. A sacrifice fly from the bat of Sydney Malott scored the Illini runner at third, locking the game at one run apiece.
Missouri tacked on a pair in the following frame to hold the 3-1 advantage, but the Illini charged back with a rally of their own. A single and a double put a pair of runners in scoring position before Meade sent a ball over the fence, giving Illinois its first lead of the game.
Holding onto the 4-3 advantage, the Orange and Blue took the lead into the seventh. Down to their final out, the Tigers sent a two-run shot out of the park, retaking the lead, 5-4. The score would hold, with Illinois falling by one run to the ranked Mizzou squad.
Notes
» Illinois wore anthracite jerseys, moving to 1-3 while donning those.
» The Illini moved to 4-15 all-time against Mizzou.
» The Fighting Illini out-hit the Tigers at a 12-8 clip.
» Illinois went 2-for-5 (.400) with runners in scoring position.
» McQueen limited Missouri to just 1-for-11 (.091) with runners in scoring position.
» McQueen tossed her fifth complete game of the year.
» Attendance was called at 428.
GAME TWO
Briana Bower got the ball to start for Illinois and took the loss. Offensively, the Fighting Illini were paced by Kelly Ryono, who went 2-for-3 on the day with a home run and two RBI. Serena Starks put together a standout effort as well, going 1-for-2 with a double.
How it Happened
Illinois fell behind early, with the Tigers scoring three in the opening frame. The opposition tacked on another in the top of the third.
Trailing 4-0, Ryono knocked a two-run homer over the fence, cutting the deficit to a pair.
A scoreless fourth for both teams followed, but a six-spot in the fifth for Mizzou capped off the 10-2 loss in just five innings.
Up Next
Illinois hits the road for its final weekend before Big Ten play begins, heading to the Cardinal Classic hosted by Louisville. The Orange and Blue's opening contest against South Dakota is slated for Friday at 2 p.m. CT.
Notes
» Illinois wore anthracite jerseys, moving to 1-4 while donning those.
» The Illini moved to 4-16 all-time against Mizzou.
» Illinois dropped to 0-3 in abbreviated games.
» Ryono leads the Illini with three homers this year.
» Ryono also extended her hitting streak to five games.
» Attendance was called at 161.
