CHAMPAIGN — Tyra Perry’s first season as Illinois softball coach wound up bearing more than a nine-win improvement from the 2015 campaign, the team learned Sunday.
Illinois received an at-large bid for the NCAA tournament following a 35-21 run through the regular season and Big Ten tournament. This marks Illinois’ first trip to the NCAA tournament since 2010.
The Illini, who are in the Lexington (Ky.) Region, will open their tournament stretch against Pac-12 Conference member Utah, which finished fourth in league play. The teams will square off Friday at a time to be determined.
The Utes have gone 32-19 this season, including 13-10 in a league that is sending eight of nine teams to the national event.