Chambana Sun

Adisyn Caryl's decisive home run in the ninth inning secured a 4-3 win for Illinois softball against Missouri State at the Wooo Pig Classic in Fayetteville, Arkansas. This victory brought the Fighting Illini's record to 8-6 for the season, while the Bears dropped to 1-11.

Megan Nuechterlein started on the mound for Illinois, pitching 3.1 innings and allowing one run on three hits with three strikeouts. Relief pitchers Danika Frazier and Karley Yergler followed, with Yergler securing her third win of the season after throwing 3.2 innings without conceding any hits and only allowing three walks.

Caryl led Illinois offensively, achieving two hits out of four at-bats, including a home run and an RBI. The game remained scoreless until Missouri State took a lead in the third inning. Illinois responded in the fifth when Ella Cushing's pinch-hit RBI single tied the game. Zoie Howard's single later drove in two runs, giving Illinois a 3-1 lead.

Missouri State managed to tie it again at 3-3 in their next at-bat during the sixth inning. The game extended into extra innings with Yergler maintaining control from the mound.

Ultimately, it was Caryl's first-pitch homer in the ninth that clinched Illinois' victory. Looking ahead, Illinois is set to play against #11/12 Arkansas at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Friday.

Illinois played wearing navy jerseys and improved their record to 4-1 while donning those colors. They also advanced to a balanced all-time record of 1-1 against Missouri State and are now undefeated in extra innings this season at 2-0.

Notably, Paige Berkmeyer continued her streak of reaching base over nine games, while Ava Moore extended her hitting streak to five consecutive games with a hit. The walk-off home run was Caryl’s second such achievement this year during extra innings.