Illinois Softball Drops Big Ten Opener Against Wisconsin

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illinois softball fell to Wisconsin, 15-4, in five innings during the program's Big Ten opener at Eichelberger Field on Friday afternoon

The Fighting Illini dropped to 12-10 while the Badgers improved to 17-8.

Karley Yergler earned her fourth start this year, tossing 3.1 innings. Danika Frazier (0-2) and London Park also appeared in relief. 

How It Happened

Wisconsin took the early 1-0 lead before the Illini's first at-bat. The Badger edge did not last with an RBI single from Adisyn Caryl and an RBI groundout from Paige Berkmeyer switched the advantage in favor of the Orange and Blue.

Yergler picked up a pair of punchouts in the second, but the Badgers added a run back, locking the game, 2-2.

In the Illinois half of the inning, the Orange and Blue bats came alive Gabrielle Debevec leading off with a single. Another single, this time from the bat of Ava Moore, and an error on the play brought home the Illini's third run of the game. Yazzy Avila tallied a single to extend the Illini's 4-2 advantage.

Wisconsin did not go away quietly, tacking on four runs to earn the 6-4 lead in the third. The opposition added five in the fourth and four in the fifth, leaving the Illini down to its final three outs while trailing, 15-4. 

Eileen Donahue added a single in the fifth but it was not enough, and the Illini dropped the conference opener.

Notes

» Illinois dropped to 5-3 while donning navy jerseys.
» Wisconsin scored in every inning.
» Illinois is now 33-23 all-time against the Badgers.
» The five home run was the most allowed by the Illinois pitching staff this season.
» The Fighting Illini fell to 2-3 in abbreviated games.