Chambana Sun

Illinois Softball Team Prepares for Western Illinois Matchup

Illinois softball will face off against Western Illinois on Tuesday as the team concludes its four-game homestand. The game is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. at Eichelberger Field in Urbana and will be broadcasted on B1G+. Illinois leads the all-time series against Western Illinois 6-1, with the last encounter being an 8-0 victory for Illinois in 2022.

Senior Stevie Meade is on the brink of becoming Illinois's all-time leader for sacrifice hits. Meade has recorded 30 sacrifice bunts and is only one away from setting a new record. Additionally, the Fighting Illini have five players, Stevie Meade, Ava Moore, Zoie Howard, Alaina Miller, and Yazzy Avila, with triples this season.

"Stevie Meade has been a mainstay in the Illinois lineup since she first joined the Orange and Blue," said a spokesperson. "Meade owns the single-season record for most sacrifice hits with 13 in 2022."

Paige Berkmeyer has excelled in her role as the catcher, ranking third in the program's history with 38 runners caught stealing, while Lauren Wiles has accumulated 108 appearances, placing her sixth in the program's record book.

Recent results saw Illinois' team lose to Washington 17-5, but individual performances like those of Paige Berkmeyer and Eileen Donahue were noteworthy. Berkmeyer, in particular, had two extra-base hits during the game.

Western Illinois presents a challenge with an 8-23 record overall and a 4-8 standing in Ohio Valley Conference play. Payton Brown leads the team with a .337 batting average and nine home runs, while Libby Spaulding leads with 31 strikeouts.

"Payton Brown has been stellar at the plate, owning a .337 batting average, including a team-high nine home runs," noted a team correspondent.

The game will also feature a sibling rivalry between Illinois assistant coach Brendan Goler and Western Illinois head coach Alisa Goler. Illinois alumnus Tori McQueen has recently joined the Western Illinois coaching team.

Illinois's squad incorporates a large number of newcomers. The addition of freshmen and transfers, including Lizzie Stiverson and Karley Yergler, suggests a new direction for the team. Illinois remains the youngest team in the Big Ten, with 17 underclassmen forming the majority of the team.

"Illini softball head coach Tyra Perry is one of 21 Black female head coaches in all of Division-I softball for the 2024 season," a team document revealed.

Looking back on the 2024 season, Illinois finished with a 21-31 record, with both achievements and challenges marking the year. Graduates like Kelly Ryono and Tori McQueen left significant gaps to fill, while returning players and fresh recruits offer promise for the current season.