The Fighting Illini improved to 14-17 this season while the Leathernecks fell to 8-24 in 2025.
At the plate, the Fighting Illini were paced by Eileen Donahue, who went 2-for-3 on the day with a home run, a walk and two RBI. Stevie Meade compiled a noteworthy performance at the plate as well, going 3-for-5 with two RBI. Adisyn Caryl helped out for Illinois, putting together two hits in four trips to the plate while adding a double, a walk an RBI and also recording the walkoff double.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Fighting Illini got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Illinois plated two runs when Donahue left the yard with Yazzy Avila aboard.Illinois scored once in the following frame on an RBI single off the bat of Meade, which brought the score to 3-0 in favor of the Fighting Illini.
Illinois held Western Illinois scoreless before building the Orange and Blue lead to 4-0, but the Leathernecks then evened up the ballgame at four in the fifth.Â
Illinois fought back to reclaim the advantage in the bottom of the frame. The Fighting Illini scored once on an RBI single off the bat of sophomore Alaina Miller, bringing the score to 5-4 in favor of Illinois.
Western Illinois then rallied to take a 6-5 lead before Illinois scored two runs in the bottom half of the seventh to grab the win, walking it off on Caryl's two-out RBI double.
GAME NOTES
» The Illini improved to 7-1 against WIU.
»  The Illini wore anthracite uniforms, improving to 4-2 while donning those
» Meade had three base hits in the game for Illinois.
» Every Illinois starter reached base safely in the win.
» The Fighting Illini out-hit the Leathernecks at a 14-9 clip.
» Illinois went 8-for-19 (.421) with runners in scoring position.
» Illinois pitchers limited Western Illinois to just 1-for-9 (.111) with runners in scoring position.
