URBANA, Ill. – The Fighting Illini dropped the final game of this weekend's series against Purdue, 6-4. Delaney Rummell picked up another multi-hit game at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double, her fourth extra base hit of the weekend and third multi-hit game. The Illini are now 18-10 after dropping game four of the series on Sunday afternoon.Â
The game was scoreless until the fifth inning when Purdue jumped on the board first, scoring one run to take a 1-0 lead after a leadoff double put a runner in scoring position. The Illini would answer in the home half of the fifth as the Orange and Blue loaded the bases with no outs, followed by an RBI walk from Gabi Robles to knot the score, 1-1.
The Illini added two more runs in the inning on a fielder's choice and a wild pitch, allowing two more runs to cross as Illinois took a 3-1 lead into the top of the sixth inning.
The Boilermakers cut into the Illini lead to open up the sixth inning to make it a 3-2 ballgame. Tori McQueen took the circle as Purdue had runners on second and third with just one out, replacing Sydney Sickels who pitched 5.2 innings, giving up six hits while striking out four. Purdue followed with a three-run home run to take a 5-3 lead into the bottom of the sixth.
Delaney Rummell continued her impressive weekend at the dish, notching another double in the bottom of the sixth, securing her third multi-hit game of the series. Shelby Stauffenberg followed with a single, her second hit of the game, but the Illini were unable to plate a run to cut into the 5-3 deficit.
Addy Jarvis entered in the seventh inning after McQueen gave up a solo home run to centerfield, giving Purdue a 6-3 lead. Jarvis shut the door, keeping the Illini within three heading into the bottom of the seventh. Kailee Powell gave the Illini offense a spark with a two-out home run in the bottom of the seventh, but Illinois would ultimately drop the series finale, 6-4.Â
UP NEXT
Illinois is back at Eichelberger Field next weekend for another four-game home series against Indiana. The first game of the series is Friday, April 23 with the first pitch at 5 PM CT. All four games of the series will be streamed on BTN+.
