NASHVILLE -Â Illinois took down Stony Brook, 8-0, and Quinnipiac, 7-3, at Tiger Stadium on Friday night as a pair of the Roar City Invitational
With the two wins, Illinois improved to 4-5 on the year. Stony Brook fell to 1-5 while Quinnipiac moved to 0-2.
GAME ONE
Illinois topped Stony Brook, 8-0, in five innings on Friday night.
Lauren Wiles earned the start in the circle. The senior went the distance, allowing just three hits while also posting three strikeouts.
Offensively, the Fighting Illini were led by Stevie Meade, who went 2-for-2 on the day with a double and two RBI. Keirys Click compiled a noteworthy performance at the dish as well, going 2-for-3 with two RBI. Adisyn Caryl also chipped in for Illinois, putting together one hit in two trips to the plate while adding a double and two RBI.
How It Happened
Illinois loaded the bases with one away in the top of the first. After an error broke open the stalemate, an RBI single from Click extended the Illini's 2-0 edge. Doubles from Caryl and Meade continued the offensive rally, helping the Illini gain the 6-0 advantage. A sacrifice fly from Alaina Miller closed out the scoring in the opening frame, giving the Orange and Blue the 7-0 edge.
Following a scoreless second and third by both team's Click added her second RBI single of the game, allowing the Illini to take an 8-0 lead over Stony Brook.
Needing just three outs to secure the victory, Wiles took down the Seawolves in order to complete the five-inning triumph.
Notes
» Wiles tossed her first shutout of the season and her first complete game this year.
» Click and Cushing earned their first starts.
» Illinois went 5-for-10 (.500) with runners in scoring position.
» The Fighting Illini drew four walks from Stony Brook pitching.
» Illinois moved to 1-2 while wearing orange jerseys.
GAME TWO
A walkoff grand slam by Adisyn Caryl lifted Illinois to  a 7-3 victory over Quinnipiac in extra innings.
Danika Frazier got the start in the circle for the Fighting Illini. The freshman threw 4.1 innings, allowing two runs on six hits while fanning a pair. Karley Yergler came on in relief and earned the win to move to 1-2 on the season. The junior tossed 3.2 innings allowing just one run and one hit during her outing.
Offensively, the Fighting Illini were paced by Caryl, who went 3-for-4 on the day with a double, a home run and four RBI. Paige Berkmeyer compiled a standout performance as well, going 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI. Stevie Meade also helped out for Illinois, putting together one hit in two trips to the plate while adding an RBI.
How It Happened
Illinois struck first in the opening frame, with Berkmeyer sending an RBI double to right field.
After a scoreless second by teams, the Bobcats tacked on a pair in the third.
Trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the fourth, Meade came to the plate with runners on the corners following a walk and a single. The senior sent a single to left field, locking the game, 2-2.
Seven innings were not enough as the teams battled it out in extras. With the international tiebreaker in effect, Quinnipiac struck in the eighth, earning the 3-2 lead.
Down to their final three outs, the Fighting Illini charged back with a Berkmeyer double knotting the game at three apiece. A walk and a hit batter loaded the bases, and Caryl sent a moonshot over the fence, her first career grand slam, sealing the 7-3 extra inning victory
Up Next
Illinois heads to The Marucci Classic from Feb.21-23. The Orange and Blue's first game of the tournament against Central Michigan is slated for 9:30 CT on Feb. 21.
Notes
» Caryl's grand slam was the 51st in program history.
» The Illini improved to 1-0 in extra innings.
» Illinois went 4-for-10 (.400) with runners in scoring position.
» The Fighting Illini drew four walks from Quinnipiac pitching.
» Illinois moved to 2-2 while wearing orange jerseys.
