Illinois softball finished its 2024 season with a losing record (21-31, 7-15) for the first time since 2015 (26-27, 14-9). In June 2015, then-newly hired head coach Tyra Perry turned things around, but the team hit a slump this past year. Now, with its best player gone, 13 new athletes and 53 games ahead, Illinois has a lot of ground to make up for from last season.
“We’re still training at an intense level,” Perry said. “But we’re definitely spending more time talking through strategy and mentality.”
Intensity, toughness and strategy are things that Perry consistently emphasizes to her team. In a conference as competitive as the Big Ten, there is no room for error and hesitancy. The regular season starts on Friday for the Illini with the Black and Gold Classic in Orlando. For now, these letter grades indicate the expectations for Illinois softball and its journey in 2025.
Pitching (C+): Last year’s team leader in earned run average, Tori McQueen, graduated in 2024. Along with McQueen went her 3.45 ERA and team-leading 1.28 walks & hits per innings pitched. The Illini will have to overcome losing McQueen’s ability, including the rest of their rotation.
Illinois will lean on senior right-handed pitcher Lauren Wiles to bring experience and leadership to the table. Wiles appeared in 34 games last spring and posted a 6.22 ERA, ranking her third on the team. The Illini also return redshirt junior right-hander Briana Bower and junior right-hander Juliana Hooker as potential depth arms.
Get The Daily Illini in your inbox!
In June, Illinois snagged Kent State transfer and sophomore right-hander Megan Nuechterlein, who pitched to a 3.80 ERA in 38 appearances as a freshman last spring. Nuechterlein is a much-needed addition to the rotation, along with freshmen right-handers Danika Frazier and London Park.
Frazier was named to First-Team All-State in Illinois in both 2023 and 2024. Park threw for a 3.10 ERA in 160.1 innings pitched at Spring High School in Texas and was named to the Softball America Freshman Watch List. Even with these additions, there is still much uncertainty in the circle for 2025.
Batting (B-): Illinois saw three of its top five hitters from last season graduate. This included Kelly Ryono, Abby Ryniec and Megan Ward. Each had batting averages above .320 and were among the team leaders in hits as well. The Illini tied for fifth in batting average last season in the Big Ten and look to improve on that this year.
Among the notable bats returning is senior catcher Paige Berkmeyer, who had a .923 OPS. Finishing second among players who played the full season, Berkmeyer led the team in RBI with 37. Not far behind was senior outfielder Stevie Meade, who posted a .838 OPS and a .296 batting average. These two will be among the leaders this spring in the batter’s box.
The Illini placed No. 12 in home runs (26) and slugging percentage (.405), tying for No. 11 in walks (138). They did not score many runs cumulatively. Illinois only brought 245 runners home in 2024 and stole the least amount of bases, with 27. There is hope that the team’s young talent can help bring these numbers up.
Freshmen shortstop Ava Moore and infielder Ellie Haggard were also named to the Softball America Freshman Watch List along with Park. Two more returning bats, sophomore infielders Adisyn Caryl and Eileen Donahue, look to help right the ship, along with junior infielder Gabrielle Debevec.
Fielding (C): Last season, 11 schools had a better fielding percentage than the Illini. While the margin differentials may be slim, they demonstrate the areas where the Illini must improve. Not only that, but an additional three programs are joining the Big Ten, making room for errors even smaller.
Errors were all too familiar for Illinois last season. The team finished with 67 errors, a stark contrast to teams like Michigan, Minnesota and Northwestern, who all finished with fewer than 50. However, almost half of those errors were made by players who are no longer with the team. This year, Illinois must be extra diligent on the field to prevent some heartbreakers like last year.
With fresh faces and plenty of returners, the Illini need to improve their defense. Many mistakes are preventable, and with the right practice and confidence, they will minimize faulty plays in each game. It’s difficult to predict improvements on defense, but if the Illini can prove their talent and agility this season, this grade shouldn’t last long.
Coaching (B): This season marks Perry’s 24th season of collegiate coaching, and she’s certainly no stranger to the dynamic scene of college softball. She has achieved significant success at Illinois, posting a 264-197 overall record with the program. What she needs to do now is bring back the energy and influence she had when she first came to Illinois almost 10 years ago.
“We were looking for young women who understand that the past two years weren’t our best look,” Perry said. “We are looking for Big Ten top finishes, regional play and beyond that.”
Perry fully understands the difficulties the Illini endured in recent seasons. The 2025 season is a new opportunity for the team to showcase their capabilities. It’s also a chance for Perry to redeem herself in the Big Ten, where the Illini have struggled as of late.
This time around, Perry is confident that her team is ready for the challenges that come its way. The Illini have the chance to climb back up to the top of the conference with good leadership, accountability and consistency. Perry’s expertise will help prepare the team for any competitors in their path. The Illini’s success this season will depend on how well they cope with challenges from their Big Ten conference.
