IOWA CITY, Iowa – The Illini dropped game one of this weekend's four game series at Iowa, 3-1. Sydney Sickels got the start for the Orange and Blue, while Jaelyn Vickery led the Illini at the plate, going 1-for-3 with an RBI single.

Iowa struck first in the bottom of the first inning, plating one run on an infield throwing error by the Illini, giving the Hawkeyes a 1-0 edge heading into the second inning. Iowa added another two runs in the home half of the third inning on an RBI triple and a sacrifice fly to take a 3-0 lead.

Bella Loya got the Illini offense going in the top of the fourth on a double to the left center gap, her ninth double of the season. Jaelyn Vickery followed with a two-out RBI single to push the first Illini run across and make it a 3-1 game.

Iowa would hang on to the 3-1 lead for the remainder of the game to take the Friday night series-opener.

UP NEXT

Illinois and Iowa square off in a doubleheader tomorrow with game one beginning at 1 pm CT. Both games will be streamed on BTN+.