University of Illinois
18-7, 0-1
Wisconsin
22-3, 1-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 15 | 14 | 3 |
| Illinois | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 9 | 3 |
Illini Fall to No. 23 Badgers in B1G Opener
March 22, 2019 | Softball
URBANA, Ill. – The Illinois softball team opened Big Ten Conference play on Friday (March 22), falling to No. 23 Wisconsin, 15-6, at Eichelberger Field.
The Illini move to 18-7 on the season and 0-1 in league action.
The Badgers (22-3, 1-0 B1G) jumped out to an early 3-0 advantage on a pair of singles and an Illini error in the opening frame, but UI answered back as sophomore Bella Loya drove in a run on a groundout to second base.
UW then built a 6-1 lead with a two-run home run in the second and a leadoff long ball in the fifth, before an error and a bases-loaded walk from senior Stephanie Abello in the bottom half of the inning closed the deficit to 6-3.
A six-run sixth frame from the visitors pushed the edge to 12-3, but again the Illini responded with three runs of their own in the bottom of the inning – highlighted by an RBI single from senior Annie Fleming. The Badgers then closed out the game with three runs in the seventh to go on for the 15-6 win.
Freshman Sydney Sickels (11-3) notched a career-high seven strikeouts, but allowed 11 runs (five earned) on nine hits and two walks in 5.2 innings to take the loss. Junior Akilah Mouzon (4 R, 3 ER, 5 H, 3 BB, 1 K) finished off the final 1.1 frames.
The Illini totaled nine hits in the game, but committed three errors and stranded 10 runners on base. Individually, redshirt-senior Carly Thomas and senior Kiana Sherlund each turned in two hits and two runs.
Next Up
The Illini continues its three-game series with No. 23 Wisconsin on Saturday (March 23) with a 1 p.m. CT first pitch at Eichelberger Field.
For more Fighting Illini softball news, stay tuned to FIGHTINGILLINI.com and follow @IlliniSB on social media: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Kaitlyn Menz (8-1)
L: Sickels, Sydney (11-3)
Batting:
2B: Taylor Johnson 1 ; Melanie Cross 1 ; Lauren Foster 1
HR: Taylor Johnson 2 ; Stephanie Lombardo 1
RBI: Kayla Konwent 1 ; Tyra Turner 1 ; Taylor Johnson 3 ; Stephanie Lombardo 5 ; Kelly Welsh 3 ; Lauren Foster 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Kayla Konwent 1 ; Tyra Turner 2 ; Taylor Johnson 4 ; Melanie Cross 1 ; Caroline Hedgcock 2 ; Stephanie Lombardo 1 ; Gabby Scherle 1 ; Kelly Welsh 1 ; Jolie Fish 1 ; Ally Miklesh 1
SB: Kelly Welsh 1
HBP: Caroline Hedgcock 1 ; Stephanie Lombardo 1
Batting:
2B: Sherlund, Kiana 1
RBI: Fleming, Annie 1 ; Loya, Bella 1 ; Abello, Stephanie 1
SH: Fleming, Annie 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Thomas, Carly 2 ; Sherlund, Kiana 2 ; Sasaki, Hannah 1 ; Wingerter, Katie 1
SB: Sherlund, Kiana 1
CS: Dunlap, Zaria 1
