Fighting Illini Split First Day at Roar City Invitational

NASHVILLE - Illinois softball began its run at the Roar City Invitational on Thursday. The Fighting Illini topped Tennessee State, 9-2, before falling to Mercer, 8-3.

The Illini moved to 2-5 on the season. Tennessee State dropped to 2-4 while Mercer improved to 4-2.

GAME ONE

Illinois took down Tennessee State, 9-2, at Tiger Field on Thursday.

Lauren Wiles got the start, improving to 2-1 on the year. The pitcher tossed 6.0 innings, allowing two runs, both of which were unearned, on four hits. Danika Frazier pitched one inning in relief.

Eileen Donahue led the way offensively with a 3-for-4 outing at the plate. Zoie Howard and Alaina Miller went 2-for-4 at the plate.

How It Happened

Illinois got off to a hot start as Miller posted a leadoff double in the opening frame. The Orange and Blue broke open the game with an RBI single from Howard before Donahue added a two-run homer, giving the squad the 3-0 advantage.

In the following inning, Paige Berkmeyer knocked a solo dinger over the left field fence, her first home run of the year. Another runner would come home, thanks to an RBI groundout from Miller, extending the 5-0 edge.

Tennessee State tacked on a run in the bottom of the second, but the momentum remained with the Illini.

After three-straight scoreless innings for both teams, Illinois jumped out to a 9-1 lead as Howard's RBI triple and Miller and Donahue's RBI singles led the way. 

The Tigers did not go away quietly, posting a run in the bottom of the sixth. However, it was the last run to cross the plate for either team, leaving the Illini to hang on to the 9-2 victory.

Notes

» Eileen Donahue hit the team's first home run of the year.
» Paige Berkmeyer's home run was the first of her senior season.
» Zoie Howard posted her team-high second double of the year.
» The Fighting Illini drew seven walks from Tennessee State pitching.
» Illinois went 5-for-13 (.385) with runners in scoring position.
» Illinois wore anthracite jerseys for the first time this season.
 

GAME TWO

Illinois dropped a game to Mercer, 8-3, on Friday night.

Karley Yergler got the start and took the loss, moving to 0-2 on the year. The Mahomet, Ill., native allowed eight runs on eight hits. London Park and Danika Frazier appeared out of the bullpen for Illinois. Paige Berkmeyer led the Fighting Illini at the plate, going 3-for-4 with an RBI.

How it Happened

The Fighting Illini offense picked up where they left off with an RBI single from Eileen Donahue plating the first run of the game. Berkmeyer followed up with an RBI single of her own, giving the Orange and Blue the 2-0 lead before the Bears took their first at bat.

However, Mercer charged back, scoring eight unanswered runs. 

The Illini bats went silent until the sixth inning. Ava Moore began the frame with a double before Keirys Click logged an RBI single. The run scored by Moore was the final of the game, with Illinois falling to Mercer 8-3.

UP NEXT

Illini continues its run at the Roar City invitational on Friday with a game against Stony Brook at 5 p.m.

Additionally, games scheduled for Saturday have been canceled.

NOTES

» Illinois wore anthracite jerseys, moving to 1-1 while donning those
» Illinois left 11 runners stranded on base in the loss.
» The Fighting Illini out-hit the Bears at a 12-8 clip.
» Yazzy Avila stole two bases in Thursday's game.
» The Illini went 5-for-16 (.313) with runners in scoring position.