The University of Illinois Fighting Illini Women’s Softball team is set to face the University of Maryland in a three-game series from April 17 to April 19, according to an announcement on Apr. 16. The games will take place at Maryland Softball Stadium in College Park, with first pitches scheduled for Friday at 5 p.m., Saturday at 1 p.m., and Sunday at 11 a.m. Central Time. All games are available for streaming on B1G+.
This matchup is significant as both teams compete within the Big Ten Conference, with Illinois currently holding a record of 12-31 overall and 2-12 in conference play. The Fighting Illini program participates in intercollegiate softball competitions as part of the NCAA Division I level, according to the official website.
In their most recent game, Illinois secured a narrow victory over Southeast Missouri State (SEMO), winning 9-8 at Eichelberger Field. Junior Eileen Donahue led offensively with three hits, including two home runs—a feat she has accomplished three times this season—while freshman pitcher Abby Sabalaskey earned her sixth win and lowered her season earned run average (ERA) to a staff-best 4.93.
Several players have contributed notable performances this season. Outfielder Skylar Brennan leads the team in batting average (.339) and doubles (8), while Adisyn Caryl has started every game at third base and holds team-highs in on-base plus slugging percentage (.895), runs scored (23), walks (14), and is tied for most hits alongside Brennan with 42 each. Shortstop Ava Moore has recorded nine sacrifice hits this year, ranking fourth in the Big Ten conference.
Head coach Tyra Perry recently achieved her milestone 700th career win earlier this year and stands just two victories away from reaching her 300th win as head coach of Illinois—a mark that could be reached during this series against Maryland.
Maryland enters the series with a record of 15-26 overall and just one win in Big Ten play so far this season. Their latest outing saw them defeat Howard University behind pitcher Aubrey Wurst’s complete-game shutout performance.
Illinois holds a historical advantage over Maryland with twelve wins out of nineteen meetings between the programs; last year, Illinois won two out of three games against Maryland on the road.
The Fighting Illini will return home following this weekend’s games for their final five-game homestand beginning April 21 against Indiana State before concluding their regular-season home schedule versus Penn State later that week.
The University of Illinois Fighting Illini Women’s Softball program operates out of Urbana, Illinois and uses “Fighting Illini” as its athletics nickname according to its official website.
