The Illini (1-4) opened their season under the warm Orlando sun and only mustered up one win in five games. They started strong with a six-run victory over the CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners but hit a slump the rest of the weekend in the Black and Gold Classic.
Here are some early takeaways from Illinois softball’s first performances on the diamond this weekend.
Scoring highs, scoring lows
Illinois brought in a whopping eight runs with its victory on Friday over CSU Bakersfield. But after that, the scoring simmered down significantly. In the seventh inning against Georgia, Illinois rallied to bring in four runs. However, that effort was not enough to overcome Georgia’s strong start.
The Illini went scoreless in two games and played one where they brought in just one run. Illinois went to the plate 74 times in the last three games of the series but only put up 11 hits across those appearances. The Illini will have a difficult time this season if they’re unable to bring runners home.
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Redemption year for Miller?
It may have only been one weekend of competition, but redshirt sophomore outfielder Alaina Miller created a solid stat sheet for herself. In 2024, Miller only appeared in three games before she got injured and missed the remainder of the season. Flash forward to the present, and Miller is off to a great start in just a handful of games.
In the first game against CSU Bakersfield, she went 2-4 at the plate with a triple and two RBI. She then hit a single in the final game of the tournament, demonstrating her offensive force early on. She finished with 19 plate appearances, and while the season is just starting, her batting from this weekend looks promising for upcoming battles.
The Illini need all the help they can get at the plate this year. If Miller can bounce back from her injury-ridden season, she would be a huge help to the team.
Shaky start for pitchers
The opponents scored a total of 19 runs across this weekend of play. Illinois’ pitchers appeared a bit rusty in the five games they played.
One of the team’s oldest pitchers, senior Lauren Wiles, took to the mound numerous times this weekend and left with a 1-1 record. In the season opener, she left with four strikeouts in four innings pitched. However, Wiles had some difficulties the remainder of the weekend with allowing runs to come in, getting her pulled from the mound early in the final game.
Nerves ran rampant through the pitching lineup for the Illini. Sophomore Megan Nuechterlein pitched four innings in the second game against the Bulldogs and allowed eight hits and seven runs. Freshman Danika Frazier also pitched four innings against the Roadrunners and allowed four hits and four runs.
Fortunately for the Illini, there’s plenty of season left to be played. Nevertheless, if they can’t establish a solid pitching identity, this will be a very long season.
Moore to come from the young one
Freshman shortstop Ava Moore made her collegiate debut in the Black and Gold Classic and did not disappoint. After being named to the Big Ten Softball Players to Watch list, Moore gave people a reason to watch her in this outing. She had three hits and one run scored this weekend, but more impressive were her defensive efforts.
In the first game against the Roadrunners, Moore made a diving play and threw to first base but was just short of getting the out call. She made another diving play in the final game of the series to get the batter out.
Her hustle and passion on the field bring the exact energy the Illini need this season. Not only is she sacrificing her body to get batters out, but she’s doing it entertainingly, adding excitement to the diamond. Moore has a bright future ahead of her with her athleticism and overall drive.
@tess_eken
