The Illinois softball team is hitting its stride having won its last five games after losing nine straight. The Illini look to keep up the momentum against Michigan State in East Lansing, Mich., this weekend.
“We’re excited that we’re playing better softball,” head coach Terri Sullivan said. “We’ve been pitching well, and we’re starting to see the ball better at the plate and get some big hits. It was nice to be in the double-digit column for hits the other day, and we’re being aggressive defensively. Now we just have to keep playing in the moment.”
The Spartans are on a streak of their own, having lost their last five games. Despite the recent slide, Michigan State (21-20, 7-6 Big Ten) is still ahead of Illinois (16-25, 6-11) in the Big Ten standings, a fact the Illini hope to change this weekend.
“I know they’re a good team,” junior catcher Jenna Mychko said. “They’re right above us in the standings, but we just have to play like we play any other team and just go right at them.”
Illinois will have the reigning Big Ten Pitcher of the Week on the mound with sophomore Shelese Arnold against the Spartans. Arnold said she has been going back to the fundamentals to improve her pitching.
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“I’ve just been slowing down,” Arnold said. “I’m focusing on my mechanics and making sure the ball moves.”
Arnold has been a major part of Illinois’ recent success, throwing two consecutive two-hit shutouts last weekend to help Illinois sweep Indiana. To continue the Illini’s success, Sullivan said they focused on repetition in practice this week.
“We’re continuing to work on our communication, making sure everyone knows where they’re going,” Sullivan said. “We’re also working on being aggressive and jumping on those first strike pitches. We really just want to come out swinging, ready to play.”
Mychko said aggression will be a key to victory on the weekend, which extends to hitting the first pitches, staying focused as a pitching staff and keeping up a solid defense.
“We’re definitely ready,” Mychko said. “Our last two series have really boosted our confidence and we’re going to come out ready to go.”
Nicholas can be reached at [email protected] and @IlliniSportsGuy.
