Softball Falls in Series Opener at Illinois

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Michigan State softball narrowed the deficit late but fell to Illinois in its series opener on Friday night, 12-4, at Eichelberger Field.

MSU moves to 12-21 (2-9 B1G) while Illinois improves to 16-19 (3-7 B1G). The Spartans return to action on Saturday, April 12 for a 2:00 p.m. ET / 1:00 p.m. CT contest against the Illini.

Senior Madison Taylor (1-5) made the start and was one of three Spartan arms to see action on Friday. Taylor and sophomore Ava Mullen each completed 2.1 innings with Mullen allowing just one hit in her outing despite being charged with four earned runs. Freshman Jacey Schuler faced two batters in the fifth inning.

The heart of Michigan State's order did work with the 4-7 hitters all tallying hits. Junior Britain Beshears, sophomore Hannah Greer, senior Collette Allen and sophomore Kendall Smiley all singled. Greer reached base twice, also drawing a walk. Junior Kaelin Cash, Beshears and Smiley drove in runs for the Spartans.

Michigan State started the scoring in the second inning when Smiley drove in Greer on a single through the right side of the infield. Two Illini home runs in the home half of the second provided Illinois with a 4-1 lead however. Illinois extended its lead to 6-1 in the third on a walk and sac fly.

Kendall Smiley rips one through the hole between first and second to bring home Hannah Greer for the game's first run!#GoGreen | #SpartanUp pic.twitter.com/RclW9151Bi
— Michigan State Softball (@MSU_Softball) April 12, 2025

MSU grinded away at the Illini lead in the top of the fifth when back-to-back Illinois errors extended the inning. Sophomore Payton Conroy led-off the inning with a hit by pitch before later scoring on an error that allowed junior Sydney Doloszycki to reach base. Cash plated junior Hannah Hawley via sac fly and Beshears drove in Doloszycki when she singled through the left side. The Spartans cut a 6-1 deficit down to 6-4 entering the bottom of the fifth frame.

Britain Beshears smokes one down the left side of the infield to drive in Sydney Doloszycki and cut our deficit to two!#GoGreen | #SpartanUp pic.twitter.com/yTkoKCIj4O
— Michigan State Softball (@MSU_Softball) April 12, 2025

Illinois scored six runs in the bottom of the fifth to win by run rule, 12-4.

Next Event

Team Stats

Britain Beshears

Hannah Greer

Collette Allen

Kendall Smiley

Players Mentioned

Collette Allen

Britain Beshears

Kaelin Cash

Payton Conroy

Sydney Doloszycki

Hannah Greer

Hannah Hawley

Ava Mullen

Jacey Schuler

Kendall Smiley

Madison Taylor