IOWA CITY, Iowa – [12] Illinois' season came to an end after dropping a nine-inning clash with [12] Minnesota, 10-7, in the first round of the Big Ten Softball Tournament at Bob Pearl Field on Wednesday afternoon.
The Fighting Illini finished the year at 21-31, while the Golden Gophers improved to 28-24.
Lauren Wiles got the start, pitching 2.2 innings while allowing three runs and fanning one Golden Gopher batter. Tori McQueen took the loss, pitching 5.1 innings in relief. Offensively, Megan Ward led the way for the Illini with a 2-for-4 day at the plate and three RBI.
How it happened
The bats came alive early for the Illini, with the team putting runners on the corners with one away. Ward hit into a fielder's choice but scored Stevie Meade on the play, putting Illinois ahead, 1-0.
The Orange and Blue edge did not last, with Minnesota tacking on three runs in the second.
Trailing 3-1 in the fourth, Illinois began a rally with Abby Ryniec taking a pitch off the leg. A double by Gabrielle Debevec put a pair of runners in scoring position, and after Serena Starks drew a walk, the bases were loaded with Kelly Ryono at the plate. With her 17th double of the year, Ryono scored a pair, locking the game at three runs apiece.
Ward sent a single to left field, scoring a pair to crack open the game, 5-3. The fifth and final run of the inning came from the bat of Ryniec, as the senior added a single to left field.
Minnesota tacked on a run in the bottom of the fourth and a pair in the fifth, tying the game once more.
In the top of the sixth, the Illini began the frame with a single by Meade, and Ward's double put a pair of runners into scoring position. A sacrifice fly by Adisyn Caryl scored Meade from third, giving Illinois the slight 7-6 advantage late in the game.
However, the lead was short-lived after Minnesota tacked on a run in the bottom of the frame. After Illinois went scoreless in the top of the seventh, Minnesota left the bases loaded, sending the game to extras.
Both teams went scoreless in the eight, but the Golden Gophers walked it off in the ninth with a home run, handing Illinois the 10-7 defeat.
Illinois loses four seniors following the 2024 season: McQueen, Ryniec, Ryono and Ward. McQueen closes out her career with 372 strikeouts, putting her sixth all-time at Illinois. Ryono's 17 doubles during her final year rank tied for fifth in a single season, while her 45 career two-baggers rank tied for fifth at Illinois. The California native's 131 RBI during her five-year career is 10th at Illinois. With 28 homers, Ryono sits ninth all-time.
Notes
» Illinois wore orange jerseys, moving to 5-8 while donning those.
» The Illini owns a 23-34 record against Minnesota.
» The Orange and Blue dropped to 1-5 in televised games.
» Megan Ward extended her hitting streak to eight games.
» Ward's three RBI were a season-high mark for the senior.
» Paige Berkmeyer's 18 runners caught stealing this season ranked tied for third in the record books.
» Illinois stranded 10 runners in the game.
» Illinois went 5-for-12 (.417) with runners in scoring position.
» Every Fighting Illini starter reached base safely in the loss.
