URBANA, Ill. – Illinois softball dropped game one of this weekend's four-game series with Minnesota at Eichelberger Field on Friday night, 6-0. Kailee Powell led the Illini at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double.
The Gophers jumped on the board in the top of the second inning with a pair of two-run home runs, taking a 4-0 lead into the home half of the second inning.
The Illini were able to put runners on base in all but two innings, racking up seven hits on the evening, but were held scoreless in the Friday night contest. Avrey Steiner, Bella Loya, Katie Wingerter, Lakyn Wagoner, and Jaelyn Vickery all notched singles in the game, while Kailee Powell added two hits including a double to left field in the bottom of the third inning.
Minnesota hit two more solo home runs, one in the fifth inning and one in the sixth, extending their lead to 6-0.
Sydney Sickels got the start for the Illini, pitching 5.0 innings and allowing five runs on eight hits while striking out three. Morgan Scivally entered for Sickels in the sixth inning to pitch the final two frames for the Illini. Scivally struck out two, allowing one earned run on two hits.
UP NEXT
The Illini are back at Eichelberger Field on Saturday afternoon, taking on Minnesota in a doubleheader with game one beginning at 1 pm CT.
