Illinois softball started its Cardinal Classic campaign with a 2-1 win over LIU on Friday evening in Louisville, Kentucky. The team now holds an 8-12 record for the season.
Pitcher Karley Yergler began the game by retiring the first three batters she faced. Skylar Brennan opened for Illinois with a base hit, followed by a sacrifice bunt from Keirys Click that advanced Brennan to second. Adisyn Caryl then singled, moving Brennan to third. Ellie Haggard’s fly out allowed Brennan to score before Caryl was tagged out to end the inning.
Yergler recorded four strikeouts in the second and third innings. LIU tied the game in the fourth after Lily Hinkle walked, advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Devon Medina, reached third on Jennifer Rodriguez’s single, and scored following an Illinois error.
In the final two innings, Yergler did not allow any hits. Click hit a solo home run to center field in the sixth inning, which secured Illinois’ victory.
“Karley Yergler added a win for the second consecutive game, improving to 2-3 on the season,” according to postgame notes from Illinois softball staff. “Yergler added six strikeouts, her most this season since notching seven against Lamar on February 6. She allowed just two hits and no earned runs, lowering her season ERA to 3.29.”
“Keirys Click went 1-for-2 at the plate, logging her third home run of the season,” stated team officials.
“Adisyn Caryl also went 1-for-2 at the plate, extending her reached-base streak to 12 games,” they added.
“Skylar Brennan extends her streak to four consecutive games with a hit,” according to team staff.
The University of Illinois Fighting Illini Women’s Softball program competes in intercollegiate competitions as part of NCAA Division I and is affiliated with the Big Ten Conference (official website). The team’s home games are held in Urbana, Illinois (official website).
Illinois will continue play at the Cardinal Classic with a doubleheader Saturday afternoon against Louisville at 2 p.m. CT and LIU again at 4:30 p.m. CT. The matchup versus Louisville will be streamed live on ACC Network Extra with Suzanne Bush providing commentary.
