Chambana Sun

Paige Berkmeyer's grand slam was pivotal in Illinois' 6-4 win over Indiana State at Eichelberger Field on Tuesday. This victory improved the Fighting Illini's record to 11-9, while the Sycamores fell to 5-18.

Megan Nuechterlein started for Illinois, pitching four innings and allowing two runs on three hits with one strikeout. Lauren Wiles pitched two innings, and Karley Yergler secured the save by closing out the final inning.

Eileen Donahue had a strong performance at the plate, going 3-for-3. Berkmeyer led with four RBIs, while Taylor Porter and Adisyn Caryl each scored twice.

The game remained scoreless until Indiana State scored two runs in the fourth inning. In response, Illinois capitalized on a pitching change by Indiana State in their half of the fourth when Berkmeyer hit a grand slam, giving Illinois a 4-2 lead.

Caryl doubled to start the fifth inning for Illinois and scored on Donahue's RBI single. Ella Cushing added another RBI single, extending Illinois' lead to 6-2. Although Indiana State managed to score one run each in the sixth and seventh innings, Yergler's effective pitching helped secure Illinois' victory.

Illinois will next face off against Illinois State on Wednesday at Eichelberger Field, with the first pitch scheduled for 5 p.m. on B1G+.

Notes from the game include: "Illinois wore white jerseys, moving to 1-3 while donning those." Paige Berkmeyer caught her fourth runner stealing this season and now holds third place for career runners caught stealing at Illinois with 38. Her grand slam was her first career grand slam, marking the third of this season for Illinois and the program's 53rd overall. The team went "4-for-11 (.364) with runners in scoring position," and Karley Yergler recorded her first save of the season for any Illini player. Additionally, "Illinois moved to 14-2 all-time against Indiana State."