Big Ten softball play is officially underway as Illinois (12-15, 0-2) faced Nebraska (18-13, 2-0) in Lincoln this weekend. The Illini were unable to find consistency in the first month of the season, but now, they are approaching the biggest portion of their schedule and looking to do some damage.
The Huskers were a Big Ten team to watch entering 2024, returning a solid roster and securing the commitment from junior pitcher Jordyn Bahl, the 2023 Big 12 Pitcher of the Year and Women’s College World Series Most Outstanding Player. The excitement was short-lived, however, as Bahl went down in the first game, and Nebraska has been trying to replace her innings and impact ever since.
Nebraska eliminated Illinois on their home dirt in last year’s Big Ten tournament, but this time, it was Nebraska’s turn to host an important series for both teams to get back on track.
Game one turned into an extra-inning thriller, with the Illini giving the Huskers everything they could handle. Illinois ace senior Tori McQueen was in the circle as always on Friday nights and had Nebraska stumped for much of the outing.
The Huskers managed only a first-inning run through the first six, but it was a big one. Nebraska shortstop Billie Andrews’ solo shot broke the program record, her 55th homerun in a Cornhusker uniform.
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McQueen pitched around some traffic for the next five innings but escaped unscathed, waiting for the Illini offense to break through. For the Huskers, it was a pitch by committee, and the Illini failed to score against two pitchers for the first five innings, but the veterans finally stepped up in the sixth.
Graduate student outfielders Serena Starks and Kelly Ryono walked and homered, respectively, and the Illini led in the blink of an eye. The next three batters all reached as well, capped by an RBI single from junior catcher Paige Berkmeyer to put Illinois up 3-1.
The Illini were unable to hold onto leads in this one, however, as the Huskers scored two in the seventh. Berkmeyer’s efforts continued in extras, banging a solo homer off the left field foul pole, but the Huskers responded for the second inning in a row, taking the series opener 5-4.
Nebraska carried that momentum into game two of the series, coming out swinging. After going up 3-0 early, the Illini responded. Senior catcher Abby Ryniec got Illinois on the board with a two-RBI double. Freshman third baseman Adisyn Caryl evened the score at three with a sacrifice fly.
The tie didn’t last long, though, as Nebraska unleashed its offense, scoring 13 runs in the next two innings and winning by run rule in five innings. The 16-6 loss clinched the series for the Huskers and ended up being the series finale due to inclement weather on Sunday.
Illinois has five games upcoming this week, including its Big Ten home opener against the Minnesota Golden Gophers (15-14, 1-1) providing more chances to find a rhythm down the stretch.
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