Chambana Sun

Illinois softball is set to face Purdue in a critical Big Ten series this weekend. The games will take place at Bittinger Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana. The series begins on Friday at 4 p.m. CT, continues on Saturday at 1 p.m. CT, and concludes on Sunday at 12 p.m. CT. The action will be broadcast live on B1G+.

In recent performances, four Illinois freshmen have shown significant potential. Ella Cushing, Ava Moore, Ellie Haggard, and Keirys Click have each hit home runs this season. Head coach Tyra Perry emphasized the impact of these young players. "Go, Go, Power Rangers!" she remarked about their performances.

Keirys Click recently received the Big Ten Freshman of the Week award for her outstanding play in a series against Michigan State. The Hobart, Indiana, native went 3-for-8, securing two home runs and contributing crucially in a comeback win.

Senior Stevie Meade is close to setting a new program record for sacrifice hits, currently holding the single-season record with 13.

On the Purdue side, standout player Moriah Polar has been receiving national attention for her exceptional batting average and hits, ranking high in the Big Ten and nationally. In their previous game, Purdue's Julia Gossett tied a program record with 14 strikeouts, demonstrating the strength of their pitching lineup.

The Illinois team is the youngest in the Big Ten this season, with 17 underclassmen, including 10 freshmen. Notable new additions include Lizzie Stiverson and Karley Yergler, both local transfers. The team is led by head coach Tyra Perry, one of only three Black female head coaches in a power conference.

Looking back at the 2024 season, Illinois had a record of 21-31 overall, with a 7-15 mark in Big Ten play. The team seeks to improve upon last year's performance as they move forward in the 2025 season.

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