University of Illinois
12-13
Illinois State
7-21
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 9 | 12 | 0 |
| Illinois State | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
Fighting Illini Softball Downs Illinois State on Tuesday
March 19, 2024 | Softball
NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois softball triumphed, 9-2, over Illinois State in a clash at Marian Kneer Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The Orange and Blue improved to 12-13 on the year, while the Redbirds moved to 7-21 during the 2024 season.
Lauren Wiles picked up the victory out of the bullpen for Illinois. The right-hander went 5.1 innings, giving up two runs, zero earned, on three hits while allowing three walks and striking out one.
Paige Berkmeyer went 3-for-5 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 2-for-4 with a home run, a walk and three RBI. Stevie Meade also contributed for Illinois, putting together two hits in five trips to the plate while adding a double.
How it Happened
Both teams went scoreless through four, but the Illini broke open the game in the fifth. Serena Starks began the rally with a leadoff single before Ryono sent a ball over the left-field fence, helping Illinois take the 2-0 lead. Meade followed with a double before the Berkmeyer's RBI single extended the 3-0 advantage.
In the next Illini at-bat, a pair or errors helped score the first run of the inning. RBI singles from Ryono and Adisyn Caryl gave Illinois the 6-0 edge. On the second pitch of her at-bat, Berkmeyer sent a no-doubter over the left-field fence for a three-run homer.
With the Illini holding a 9-0 lead in the bottom of the sixth, the Redbirds rallied with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame to force the seventh. The score would hold following the final frame, with the Orange and Blue coming out on top, 9-2.
Up Next
Illinois begins Big Ten play with a series at Nebraska from March 22-24. First pitch from Friday's contest on Big Ten Network is slated for 5 p.m. CT.
Notes
» Illinois wore anthracite jerseys, moving to 2-4 while donning those.
» The Illini moved to 17-9 all-time against Illinois State
» Ryono extended her reached-base streak to 11 games.
» Every Illinois starter reached base safely in the win.
» The Fighting Illini out-hit the Redbirds at a 12-4 clip.
» The Illini drew six walks from Illinois State pitchers.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Wiles, Lauren (4-4)
L: Meshnick, H. (3-10)
Batting:
2B: Meade, Stevie 1
HR: Ryono, Kelly 1 ; Berkmeyer, Paige 1
RBI: Ryono, Kelly 3 ; Caryl, Adisyn 1 ; Berkmeyer, Paige 4 ; Starks, Serena 1
SH: Starks, Serena 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Ryono, Kelly 2 ; Meade, Stevie 1 ; Caryl, Adisyn 1 ; Berkmeyer, Paige 1 ; Debevec, Gabrielle 1 ; Donahue, Eileen 1 ; Starks, Serena 2
SB: Ryono, Kelly 1
CS: Howard, Zoie 1
Batting:
RBI: Boyer, E. 1
SH: Chval, K. 1 ; Meshnick, H. 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Horton, A. 1 ; Knight, A. 1
