Following a rough series the previous weekend, Illinois (20-23, 4-11) needed to get back in the win column somehow. With opportunities to stack wins dwindling, this week was a chance to snag two of them. The Illini took that opportunity and ran with it, quite literally, around the bases.
High offensive output
The Illini scored a total of five runs in the entire series against Purdue (26-17, 8-8). In both games this week, they put a nine-spot on the board. Players like sophomore third baseman Adisyn Caryl heard and understood the message from head coach Tyra Perry.
“She was just like, we (have) got to keep playing one game at a time,” Caryl said. “You’re getting more at-bats, you’re getting ways to put runs up on the board to win games, and we just want to keep winning games.”
On Tuesday, after DePaul (14-28) jumped in front with sophomore outfielder Morgan Rogers’ home run, freshman utility player Keirys Click responded with one to left field in the bottom of the first.
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The offense was especially prevalent in the fourth inning. The Illini got baserunners early before senior left fielder Stevie Meade hit a triple off the wall in center to score two. From there, the onslaught was on. Two singles and an RBI groundout later, the score was 8-1 Illinois.
The big innings were a weakness for the Illini in West Lafayette. This time around, it was their turn to put crooked numbers up.
On Wednesday against Northern Illinois (17-24), it was the third inning where Illinois’ bats came alive. The team scored four runs that frame to grab a 5-2 lead.
In the fourth, freshman first baseman Ella Cushing took matters into her own hands. The Illinois lead jumped to 7-2 with one swing of her bat, which sent a ball flying over the center field fence.
“I know my coaches and my teammates have confidence in me,” Cushing said. “I just get up there and swing. I try not to think because it makes it easier, especially since my teammates have my back, it makes my life 10 times easier.”
Pitchers settle in
Last week, Purdue put six runs on Illinois in one game and seven in another. This week, Illinois pitchers allowed a total of six runs over two games.
Both opponents scored in the first inning of their respective games. When the other team gets off to a fast start, it is paramount that the pitcher settles in and finds a rhythm. Sophomore right-hander Megan Nuechterlein and junior right-hander Karley Yergler did exactly that.
After allowing the aforementioned home run to Rogers on Tuesday, Nuechterlein and senior right-hander Lauren Wiles combined to strike out four Blue Demon batters in the 9-4 victory. The next day, Yergler didn’t allow a single run after the first inning, holding the Huskies to just two.
It was important for the lineup to start finding its stride again. Pitchers having strong performances after the other team jumped on them early was also huge. These will be points of emphasis over the final seven games of the regular season.
