LOUISVILLE. – Illinois softball began its run at the Cardinal Classic with a pair of victories at Ulmer Stadium on Friday. Illinois triumphed over South Dakota in six innings, 14-5, and shut out Louisville, 6-0.
The Orange and Blue improved to 10-11 on the year. South Dakota fell to 14-16 in 2024, while the Cardinals dropped to 17-9 this season.
GAME ONE
Briana Bower got the win for Illinois, improving to 2-3 on the year. The right-hander went 4.1 innings, giving up five runs, zero earned, on six hits, allowing one walk and striking out three. Lauren Wiles also pitched well, going 1.2 shutout innings while allowing one hit, walking none and striking out one.
Kelly Ryono's two extra-base hits were the highlight of a 3-for-5 game, including a double, a home run and an RBI. Sydney Malott made her contribution with a double, a grand slam and six RBI, part of a 3-for-4 performance at the plate. Megan Ward also helped out for the Fighting Illini, putting together two hits in four trips to the plate while adding two RBI.
How it Happened
Ryono began the game with a double off the fence, and an error scored the California native, giving the Illini the early 1-0 edge. A walk and a hit batter followed, loading the bases with Ward at the plate. A single through the left side scored a pair, and another single from the bat of Eileen Donahue added to the Illini lead.
Holding the 4-0 advantage, the Illini surrendered a run in the bottom of the frame. But, in the top of the third, a double from Malott extended the 6-0 advantage for the Orange and Blue. With a groundout moving the runner to third, a wild pitch scored the final run of the inning, giving Illinois the 7-1 lead.
The offense continued to cruise in the following frame, as a solo homer by Ryono added to the 8-1 advantage. A couple of wild pitches in the fifth allowed a pair of Illini runners to score, extending the 10-1 lead.
The Coyotes added four runs in the bottom of the fifth, forcing the teams to play through the sixth. A walk and back-to-back singles loaded the bases for the Orange and Blue in the top of the frame before Malott logged her first career grand slam.
Holding onto the 14-5 advantage, Wiles closed out the game, pitching a scoreless sixth to secure the 14-5 victory over South Dakota.
Notes
» Illinois wore navy jerseys, moving to 5-2 while donning those.
» The Illini moved to 1-0 all-time against South Dakota.
» Ryono added her team-leading fourth home run of the year.
» Malott's home run was her first grand slam and the 50th in program history.
» Four Fighting Illini had multiple hits in the ballgame.
» Ryono extended her six-game hitting streak.
» The Fighting Illini out-hit the Coyotes at a 13-7 clip.
» Illinois went 5-for-16 (.313) with runners in scoring position.
» The Illini improved to 1-3 in abbreviated games.
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GAME TWO
Tori McQueen went the distance, pitching a complete-game shutout while tallying 12 punchouts. Offensively, Kelly Ryono went 4-for-5 in the game with a double and a triple. Sydney Malott furnished a noteworthy day at the plate as well, going 1-for-2 with a double, two walks and an RBI. Paige Berkmeyer also contributed for Illinois, putting together one hit in four trips to the plate while adding a double and two RBI.
How it Happened
The bats came alive early for the Illini, with Ryono logging a leadoff triple to start the game. Stevie Meade brought the runner home, and a bunt single by Abby Ryniec followed. Berkmeyer cleared the bases with a double, extending the 3-0 advantage. With two away, Megan Ward tallied a single of her own before Malott added an RBI double for the final score of the frame.
Holding the 4-0 edge, the Orange and Blue loaded the bases with no outs on the board to begin the second. A wild pitch by the Cards extended the 5-0 advantage.
Both teams went scoreless for four frames, but Delaney Mosley earned an RBI on a bases-loaded groundout to add a run for the Illini in the seventh. Needing just three outs, McQueen took down the Cardinal lineup, securing the shutout victory.
Up Next
Illinois faces Dartmouth as a part of the Cardinal Classic at Ulmer Stadium on Saturday, with first pitch scheduled for 12 p.m. CT.
Notes
» Illinois wore navy jerseys, moving to 6-2 while donning those.
» The Illini moved to 8-4 all-time against Louisville.
» Ryono extended her seven-game hitting streak.
» McQueen tallied double-digit strikeouts for the third time this year, fanning 12 Cardinal batters.
» The shutout was the second for McQueen this season and her sixth complete game.
» Every Illinois starter reached base safely in the win.
» The Fighting Illini out-hit the Cardinals at a 12-4 clip.
» The Fighting Illini drew seven walks from Louisville pitching, the most drawn this season.
