ST. CHARLES, Mo. – The Fighting Illini softball team suffered a 5-1 setback to No. 24/RV Missouri in a neutral-site midweek contest on Wednesday (March 8) evening at the Lou Brock Sports Complex.
The Illini fall to 12-7 on the season.
"We did not show up today as a team," said head coach Tyra Perry. "We are still figuring out who we are and how to consistently play top level softball. Solid defense, quality pitching and timing hitting wins ball games. We had our moments, but we missed chances to step up and get the win."
The Tigers struck first with back-to-back RBI sacrifice flies in the first and second frames for a two-run lead, before a two-run home run in the third pushed the edge to 4-0.
Sophomore Stephanie Abello brought home the lone Illini run in the sixth as junior Annie Fleming and senior Nicole Evans reached on a hit-by-pitch and a walk, respectively, before the sophomore delivered an RBI single to centerfield to plate Fleming.
Mizzou added an insurance run in the top of the seventh as a double and an error put a runner at third, before another Illini error brought the run home for the 5-1 advantage.
Senior Breanna Wonderly (4-6) took the loss after allowing five runs, four earned, on six hits and five walks and striking out two in a complete game effort.
The Illini totaled three hits and three errors in the game, with Abello, junior Leigh Farina and senior Ruby Rivera collecting hits. Senior Alyssa Gunther added a stolen base on the night.
Illinois will break for a week before welcoming Northern Illinois on Wednesday, March 15 for its 2017 home opener at Eichelberger Field in a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m. CT.
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