COLUMBUS, Ohio – A five-run seventh at Buckeye Field powered the Illini past Ohio State, 11-6, spoiling the Scarlet and Gray's Senior Day.
The Fighting Illini improved to 20-28 and 6-13 in league play. Ohio State fell to 29-18 overall and 10-10 against conference opponents.
Tori McQueen got the start, and the southpaw tossed 3.1 innings, allowed five runs on six hits, and fanned four. Lauren Wiles came on in relief, getting her first conference win by going 3.2 innings, giving up one run on three hits, allowing two walks and striking out one.
Abby Ryniec led the Fighting Illini at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI. Sydney Malott went 2-for-4 at the plate, while Kelly Ryono tallied a 1-for-4 day with three RBI.
How it happened
Illinois scored in the opening frame on a two-out wild pitch. A scoreless second for both teams followed, but a two-run homer by the Buckeyes put Illinois behind, 2-1.
In the next at-bat for the Fighting Illini, Paige Berkmeyer walked and Megan Ward reached on a single to begin the fourth. Ryniec sent a double to the wall, plating a pair to help the Orange and Blue gain the 3-2 edge.
However, the Illini advantage was short-lived, with Ohio State scoring four unanswered runs in the fourth and fifth.
Trailing 6-3, back-to-back singles for Illinois with one out on the board began a rally in the sixth. Serena Starks knocked the third single of the at-bat into left field, and an error by the Buckeye defense helped Illini plated three runs, tying the game.
Down to their final out in the seventh, Adisyn Caryl began a rally with a single through the left side. Three straight singles followed, putting Illinois ahead, 8-6. After Starks reached to load the bases, Ryono tallied her 16th double of the year to put Illinois on top, 11-6.
With Wiles back in the circle, the junior sent the Buckeyes down in order in the seventh, securing the win.
Up Next
The Fighting Illini close out Big Ten play with a series against Iowa next weekend. First pitch from Eichelberger Field on Friday is slated for 5 p.m. on B1G+.
Notes
» Illinois wore white jerseys, moving to 4-7 while donning those.
» The Illini improved to 14-28 against Ohio State.
» The Orange and Blue improved to 1-4 in televised games.
» Megan Ward extended her hitting streak to four games.
» Kelly Ryono extended her hitting streak to 11 games.
» The triumph for the Illini snapped Ohio State's nine-game winning streak.
» Illinois went 5-for-13 (.385) with runners in scoring position.
» The Fighting Illini out-hit the Buckeyes at a 10-9 clip.
» Illinois pitchers limited Ohio State to just 1-for-7 (.143) with runners in scoring position.
