URBANA, Ill. – Down to its last out, No. 22 Michigan rallied for four runs in the seventh inning as the Illinois softball team suffered a 9-8 setback on a windy Saturday (April 20) afternoon at Eichelberger Field.
The Illini (27-16, 6-7 B1G) were paced at the place by senior Kiana Sherlund with a 3-for-5 effort with two runs and an RBI, while sophomore Katie Wingerter posted a 2-for-4 performance with two RBI and redshirt-senior Carly Thomas and freshman Avrey Steiner added two hits and a run on the day.
After the Wolverines (32-11, 14-1 B1G) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the opening inning, the Illini rallied for six-straight runs, including a five-run third that was highlighted by four doubles from Sherlund, Thomas, senior Veronica Ruelius and Wingerter for a 6-2 advantage in the fourth.
UM led off the fifth with a solo home run, before both teams traded two-run innings in the sixth as the Illini entered the seventh holding an 8-5 edge.
After back-to-back swinging strikeouts and with the Wolverines down to their final strike, an Illini fielding error in right field allowed two runs to score to close the deficit to 8-7. The visitors then knocked a two-run double down the right field line to retake the lead at 9-8.
Back-to-back singles from Steiner and Sherlund put runners at first and second with just one out, but the Illini could not bring the tying run home.
Senior Taylor Edwards (3-5) took the loss after giving up four runs – only two earned – on eight hits and one walk and struck out two in five innings of work. Freshman Sydney Sickels entered in the fifth and threw two innings before Edwards re-entered in the seventh. Sickels allowed five runs – only two earned – on three hits and four walks in the outing.
Next Up
The Illini wrap-up their three-game series with No. 22 Michigan in a Big Ten Network-televised game on Sunday (April 21) at 2 p.m. CT in Eichelberger Field. It will be Sunday Bun Day and Bunny at the Ballpark with free Annie Fleming bun kits, Annie Fleming buns on a stick and free Cinnabons for the first 50 fans, as well as a post-game egg hunt.
For more Fighting Illini softball news, stay tuned to FIGHTINGILLINI.com and follow @IlliniSB on social media: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook.
