CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Fighting Illini softball dropped a 3-0 decision to Wisconsin on another rainy Saturday (April 29) afternoon at Eichelberger Field. Originally scheduled for a 1 p.m. CT start, the Illini and Badgers took the field at 2:45 p.m., to due to heavy rain overnight and earlier in the day.
With the setback, the Illini fall to 35-12 and 13-4 in the Big Ten Conference, while the Badgers move to 29-13 and 8-11 in the league.
It was a scoreless tie through five innings of action until the Badgers broke through in the top of the sixth frame as a leadoff single up the middle turned into the game-winning run on an RBI double down the left field line.
Wisconsin added a pair of runs in the top of the seventh on a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch, followed by an RBI single through the right side.
The Illini left eight runners on base in the contest, including a bases-loaded situation in the fifth frame where junior Annie Fleming appeared to be hit by a pitch, but was called back.
As a team, the Illini totaled four hits and an error, with senior Ruby Rivera leading the team with two hits. Senior Nicole Evans and sophomore Kiana Sherlund each added a double on the day.
Senior Breanna Wonderly (18-10) took the loss after allowing three earned runs on five hits and four walks, while adding one strikeout in six and a third innings of action. Junior Erin Walker saw two-thirds innings of work in relief, giving up just one hit and striking out one in the outing.
Wisconsin's Kaitlyn Menz (20-8) earned the win after holding the Illini to four hits, while walking four and striking out two in a complete game effort.
Illinois is set to play game three of the series on Sunday (April 30) at 1 p.m. CT at Eichelberger Field. With heavy rain in the forecast, stay tuned to FightingIllini.com and on social media for status updates.
For more Fighting Illini softball news, stay tuned to FIGHTINGILLINI.com and follow the team on Twitter @IlliniSB or like Fighting Illini Softball on Facebook.
