Tyra Perry Head Softball Coach | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
Tyra Perry Head Softball Coach | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
The Fighting Illini softball team secured a dramatic 5-4 victory over Michigan State on Sunday in Urbana, Illinois. The win came courtesy of a three-run seventh inning, culminating in Eileen Donahue's solo home run. This win improves Illinois to a 17-20 record for the season, with a 4-8 mark in the Big Ten, while Michigan State sees its record drop to 13-22 with a 3-10 conference standing.
The game saw Megan Nuechterlein pitch a complete game, allowing four earned runs on seven hits, with two walks and three strikeouts. Keirys Click made significant contributions at the plate for the Fighting Illini, going 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs. Notably, Donahue's home run was her second walk-off shot in the series.
The Illini initially trailed 2-0 but rallied in the second inning. A key moment came with Lizzie Stiverson's run-scoring single that aided a two-run inning for Illinois. Michigan State managed to reclaim a 4-2 lead before Illinois staged their seventh-inning recovery, which started with a Stevie Meade single. Click then tied the game with a two-run homer, setting the stage for Donahue's game-ending home run.
Looking ahead, the Illini will conclude their four-game homestand with a matchup against Valparaiso on Wednesday. The first pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.
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