EAST LANSING, Mich. – A Big Ten clash at Secchia Stadium favored the Fighting Illini as Illinois softball took down Michigan State, 6-3, in the series finale on Sunday afternoon.
The Fighting Illini improved to 18-26 this year with a 5-11 league record with the win. The Spartans dropped to 16-28 overall and 3-14 in conference play.
In the circle, Tori McQueen got the start and pitched her 13th complete game of the year to improve her record to 11-12. The southpaw fanned seven batters and allowed just three runs, only two of which were earned, on seven hits.
Offensively, Abby Ryniec went 2-for-4 at the plate with two RBI. Kelly Ryono posted a 2-for-4 performance with an RBI.
How it happened
The Illini offense jumped out to a hot start, with Ryono leading off with a single. Following a walk, Paige Berkmeyer put down a bunt, scoring Ryono on the play. Ryniec's two-RBI single to the outfield extended the Orange and Blue's edge to 3-0 in the opening frame. An error by the Spartans plated the fourth run of the frame, and a sac fly extended the 5-0 Illini advantage.
MSU did not go away quietly, tacking on a solo homer in the second inning.
The Orange and Blue added to its lead in the fourth, with Ryono sending an RBI single down the line. Michigan State charged back, though, scoring a pair in the fifth.
With the Illini holding onto the 6-3 advantage, McQueen held the Spartans scoreless in the final two frames, closing out the series victory for the Fighting Illini.
Up Next
The Fighting Illini's final non-conference clash at DePaul on Tuesday is slated for 3 p.m.
Notes
» Illinois wore navy jerseys, moving to 5-7 while donning those.
» The Illini moved to 29-8 against MSU.
» The Fighting Illini out-hit the Spartans at an 8-7 clip.
» The Fighting Illini drew four walks from Michigan State pitching.
» Kelly Ryono extended her hitting streak to seven games, tying her season best.
» Adisyn Caryl extended her five-game hitting streak, the longest of her freshman campaign.
» This is the second Big Ten road series win of the season for the Illini.
