EVANSTON, Ill. – The Illinois softball team suffered a doubleheader setback to No. 21 Northwestern on Tuesday (April 23) at Drysdale Field, falling 8-0 in five innings in game one, and 4-2 in game two.
"We have had a tough stretch of games against the top teams in the conference and it has been challenging," said head coach Tyra Perry. "We are learning about ourselves as players and as coaches. We will learn from our losses and come back stronger against Ohio State."
Game One: Northwestern 8, Illinois 0 // 5 innings
Northwestern scored in all but one inning, starting in the opening frame with an RBI fielder's choice, before bringing in a pair on a controversial play that saw the runner collide with second baseman Avrey Steiner resulting in two unearned runs scoring.
NU then added a two-run home run in the third, followed by a pair of homers in the fourth for the 8-0 setback.
The Illini totaled four hits, with redshirt-seniors Annie Fleming and Carly Thomas, senior Kiana Sherlund and sophomore Bella Loya each collecting one in the game.
Senior Taylor Edwards (3-6) allowed five runs – only three earned – on three hits and three walks in three innings to take the loss. Senior Emily Oestreich entered in the fourth and gave up three earned runs on two hits and a walk in 0.2 innings, before classmate Danielle Brochu relieved Oestreich and secure the final out via a swinging strikeout.
Game Two: Northwestern 4, Illinois 2
The Wildcats broke the scoreless tie with a grand slam in the bottom of the third, but senior Veronica Ruelius answered right back with a two-run dinger in the top of the fourth to bring the Illini within 4-2.
The Illini put runners at the corners in the seventh, but would not be able to rally.
Loya and Ruelius each notched two hits and a run each to lead the Illini, with Ruelius also adding two RBI in the contest.
Freshman Sydney Sickels (17-11) gave up four earned runs on four hits and a walk and struck out six in six innings for the complete game.
Next Up
The Illini next head out on their final road trip of the regular season as they travel to Columbus, Ohio, for a three-game Big Ten Conference series at Ohio State on April 26-28. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. CT on Friday, 1 p.m. CT on Saturday and 12 p.m. CT on Sunday.
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