LEXINGTON, Ky. — An NCAA tournament appearance drought ended Friday for the Illinois softball team.
But the lack of offense continued. If it does for another game, the Illini’s season will end Saturday.
Utah shut out Illinois 1-0 in the opening game of the Lexington Regional, withstanding a late rally by Tyra Perry’s team to make Saturday a win-twice-or-go-home scenario for the Illini.
“A lot of our seniors, especially, weren’t their normal selves,” Perry said. “It was a long road getting here, especially for those guys, having the drought for so many years, so nerves were to be expected.