Evanston, Illinois, was the stage of a three-game set between rivals Illinois (15-19, 2-7) and Northwestern (20-12-1, 9-1) this weekend. It was a roller coaster of a series that saw highs and lows to the tune of Northwestern taking two out of three.
Despite the result, the Illini played tough and didn’t make it easy for the Wildcats to come away with wins. Illinois even stole a victory in the process.
Yergler’s three-hit gem
The first game of Sunday afternoon’s doubleheader was one to remember for junior right-hander Karley Yergler. She went all the way, spinning a three-hitter to earn the complete game victory in a pitchers’ duel.
The game started with several great plays in the field, giving Yergler much-needed motivation to keep pushing through the Wildcats lineup. She surrendered a single run — a solo home run by Northwestern third baseman Bridget Donahey — but that didn’t shake her confidence at all.
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“My infield will come inside the circle and we’ll have a little huddle,” Yergler said. “And they’re just all very encouraging and they all have confidence that we’re going to bounce back as a team and they remind me that they have my back.”
Facing a 1-0 deficit, Yergler and the squad knew they needed to score by any means necessary. The Illini played small ball with two outs in the sixth. Freshman utility player Keirys Click laid a bunt down the third baseline and beat it out, inducing an error and driving in a run.
Freshman first baseman Ella Cushing brought Click home after hitting a single back up the middle, giving the Illini the lead for good.
Click, click, boom!
Click also became the fourth freshman to leave the yard this spring. In the second game of Sunday’s doubleheader, Illinois faced a two-run deficit in the third inning when Click stepped up to the plate. The freshman then drilled a home run to left field to tie the score.
Head coach Tyra Perry said Click brings a ton of energy and works hard no matter where she is placed on the field. Whether it’s first base or shortstop, she’s bringing her best game.
Senior outfielder Stevie Meade also took the Wildcats yard. Northwestern appeared to be cruising to a 4-1 win in Friday’s opener, but Meade had other plans. She launched a home run to left field to bring Illinois closer, but it wasn’t enough to claim the victory.
Showing fight, not getting results
There wasn’t a game this past weekend where the Illini didn’t show fight. However, the little things are still clinging around and affecting results. After scoring once in the first inning Friday, Illinois left eight runners on the basepaths. They did not cross home again until Meade’s home run in the seventh.
“We just need to stay aggressive every single inning no matter what,” Yergler said. “Every single inning matters. Can’t take an inning off, can’t take a pitch off.”
In game three, Click’s home run was the only time the Illini scored in the 8-2 series-deciding defeat. In that game, they struggled to get on base, only reaching five times.
Next on the docket
The Illini will welcome the Michigan State Spartans (12-20, 2-8) to Urbana for three games. Friday’s opener will start at 7:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on Big Ten Network. Saturday will feature a first pitch at 1 p.m., while the last game on Sunday will start at 12 p.m.
Perry is very optimistic about the upcoming series. The Illini won two of three games with the Spartans last season, and she believes they should have won all three.
“We’re hoping to take three, but we know it’s going to be really hard,” Perry said. “They’re fighting, just like we are, for better status in the conference. We know it’s going to be a dogfight game where we can’t take any pitches off.”
