BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Taylor Edwards' Illinois softball teammates gathered around the senior pitcher shortly after Friday afternoon's gut-wrenching 1-0 extra-inning loss to No. 21 Michigan in the Big Ten tournament quarterfinals.
Carly Thomas issued words of encouragement. Stephanie Abello patted Edwards on the back.
The Illini (32-23) are hoping Friday's game wasn't the last in the college careers of their seniors, including Edwards, Thomas and Abello. That fate is now in the hands of the selection committee as Illinois will need an at-large bid into the NCAA tournament to keep its season alive. The selection show is scheduled for 8 p.