Chambana Sun

Illinois secured victories against Stony Brook and Quinnipiac at the Roar City Invitational in Nashville. On Friday night, Illinois defeated Stony Brook 8-0 and Quinnipiac 7-3 at Tiger Stadium.

These wins improved Illinois' record to 4-5 this season. Stony Brook's record dropped to 1-5, while Quinnipiac is now 0-2.

In the first game, Illinois overcame Stony Brook in five innings. Lauren Wiles pitched for Illinois, allowing only three hits and achieving three strikeouts. Stevie Meade led offensively with a double and two RBIs. Keirys Click contributed significantly by going 2-for-3 with two RBIs, while Adisyn Caryl added a double and two RBIs.

Illinois loaded the bases early in the first inning. An error followed by an RBI single from Click gave them a lead that they extended with doubles from Caryl and Meade. A sacrifice fly from Alaina Miller closed out the scoring for a 7-0 lead in the opening frame. After scoreless second and third innings, Click's second RBI single sealed an 8-0 victory.

Wiles achieved her first shutout of the season, completing her first complete game this year. The Illini were effective with runners in scoring position, hitting .500 (5-for-10) and drawing four walks.

In the second game against Quinnipiac, Adisyn Caryl hit a walk-off grand slam leading Illinois to a 7-3 win in extra innings. Danika Frazier started for Illinois, pitching 4.1 innings with two runs allowed on six hits. Karley Yergler relieved Frazier and earned the win after pitching 3.2 innings allowing just one run on one hit.

Caryl had an outstanding performance going 3-for-4 with a double, home run, and four RBIs. Paige Berkmeyer also performed well going 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBIs.

The teams exchanged leads throughout the game until it was tied at two apiece heading into extra innings under international tiebreaker rules. Quinnipiac briefly took a lead before Berkmeyer's double tied it again at three each. With bases loaded due to walks and hit batters, Caryl’s grand slam concluded the match at 7-3.

Next week Illinois will participate in The Marucci Classic starting February 21st against Central Michigan.

Caryl's grand slam was noted as being only the program's fifty-first ever; meanwhile Illinois went .400 (4-for-10) with runners positioned favorably during their encounter versus Quinnipiac while drawing four additional walks throughout play.