EAST LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Two black women coached against each other on Friday night in Champaign, Ill., as it is believed this is the first-time this occurrence has happened in a Power 5 softball game. Michigan State is led by Sharonda McDonald-Kelley and Illinois’ head coach is Tyra Perry as the two friends squared off together for the first time.

McDonald-Kelley is in her first year as the head coach for MSU coming over from Campbell where she won two Big South Tournament titles. She was named the head coach of the Spartans in June after long time head coach Jacquie Joseph retired.

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Perry is a veteran coach of 22 years and been at Illinois since 2015. She has over 600 career wins and led Illinois to back-to-back NCAA Regional appearances.

Illinois won, 4-3, on Friday night and took the series from the Spartans winning 12-8 in game two and 4-2 in the final game. MSU is now 12-28 on the year and 2-15 in Big Ten play.