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University of Illinois Athletics

Abby Sabalaskey pitching against Valparaiso at Eichelberger Field in Urbana, Illinois.
3
Valparaiso VALPO 19-30
6
Winner Illinois ILL 15-36
Valparaiso VALPO
19-30
3
Final
6
Illinois ILL
15-36
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Valparaiso VALPO 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 6 0
Illinois ILL 2 3 1 0 0 0 X 6 11 0

W: Sabalaskey, Abby (8-7) L: McDermott, Sydney (9-12)

Game Recap: Softball |

Illinois Earns Victory Over Valparaiso in Final Home Game

RECAP

URBANA, Ill. — Illinois softball (15-36, 3-17 Big Ten) defeated Valparaiso on Wednesday evening, 6-3 in its final home outing of the 2026 season. Abby Sabalaskey went six innings in the circle, conceding just two runs on four hits. Ellie Haggard, Keirys Click, and Alaina Miller each tallied two hits.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Valparaiso was on the board first. Madison Vrastil led off with a double, Marissa Jackson followed with a base hit, and Mack Gallagher walked to load the bases. Kaia Garnica put the ball in play, scoring Vrastil on a fielder's choice. A sacrifice fly from Grace Hollopeter scored Jackson, giving the Beacons an early 2-0 advantage.

Illinois immediately responded, as Skylar Brennan started the frame with a walk and Eileen Donahue launched a base hit to right center, advancing Brennan all the way to third. A two-RBI double from Adisyn Caryl knotted the contest at two runs apiece.

Starting pitcher Abby Sabalaskey retired two batters swinging to start the second and retired the side before any runs could score.

The Fighting Illini plated three more in the bottom of the inning, as Jackie Yeager kicked it off with a double. Alaina Miller singled through the left and stole second, putting a pair of runners in scoring position. Freshman Brooke Stang brought Yeager around with an RBI single, and a two-RBI single from Ellie Haggard scored Stang and Miller, earning Illinois its first lead of the day.

Sabalaskey retired the side in order in the third, and Keirys Click notched a base hit to start the bottom of the inning. She came around to score on an RBI single from Miller.

The fourth and fifth frames both passed scoreless, with the lone hit a single from Click.

In the sixth, Sabalaskey and the defense worked out of a bases-loaded jam, with shortstop Ava Moore making the diving toss to Click at second base.

Valparaiso plated a run in the final frame, behind an RBI single from Gallagher, but Illinois took the victory in its final home contest, 6-3.

POSTGAME NOTES

  • Alaina Miller was a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate with an RBI and a walk, in her final game at Eichelberger Field.
  • Ellie Haggard was 2-for-3 at the plate with two RBI and a walk, her eighth multi-hit game of the season.
  • Keirys Click was 2-for-4 at the plate, recording her sixth multi-hit game of the year.
  • Jackie Yeager's lone hit of the day was a double she sent to the wall, her third double and sixth extra-base hit of the year.
  • Brooke Stang was 1-for-4 on the day with an RBI, her eighth career hit.
  • Lefty Abby Sabalaskey got the nod in the circle and went six innings, conceding just two runs on four hits.
    • Sabalaskey improves to 8-7 on the season and lowers her season ERA to a staff-best 4.57.
  • Danika Frazier pitched the final frame, allowing one run on two hits.

UP NEXT

Illinois concludes the regular season at Indiana, May 1-3. First pitch times are set for 5 p.m. CT on Friday, 1 p.m. CT on Saturday, and noon CT on Sunday. All three games can be streamed on B1G+ or followed on StatBroadcast.

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