Illini Suffer Setback in B1G Opener

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – In game one of their opening Big Ten series, the Fighting Illini softball team saw a setback, losing 5-3 to Purdue Friday evening at Bittinger Stadium. The Illini struggled offensively before putting the tying run on base in the top of the seventh inning. 

Illinois (13-12, 0-1 B1G) were led by senior Avrey Steiner, who had the only multi-hit game for the Illini in three at-bats, while sophomore Megan Ward finished 1-for-4 while notching an RBI. Senior RHP Sydney Sickels pitched a complete game for the Illini, striking out nine. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Illini bats fell silent after Steiner singled in the first inning. In the following frame, Rachel Becker hit a leadoff home run, but Sickels responded by striking out the next two Boilermaker batters before giving up an Echazarreta home run. Sickels struck out the following batter to end the inning. 

In the second, Kailee Powell singled to left field and after two walks the Illini loaded the bases with one out, but Illinois failed to bring a run around. Sickels responded by striking out the side in the bottom half of the inning, recording all of the first six outs of the game via strikeout.

Purdue added to the lead in the third with a triple and extended their lead with a Rylee Platusic RBI double. After three innings, the Purdue lead was 3-0.

Both sides went down in order in the 4th inning, as Sickels strikeout tally grew to seven.

Sickels began the fifth frame with a strikeout, but after a walk and a two RBI single, Purdue extended the score 5-0.

In the final stanza, Kelly Ryono sparked an Illinois comeback with a leadoff single and stole second base. With two outs, Gabi Robles reached first on an error and advanced to second on the throw as Ryono scored, putting the first Illini run on the board. Ward followed, notching an RBI single, and after a Steiner walk and Stevie Meade single, the Illini had the bases loaded with the tying run on first. Immediately following, Rummell walked to bring the score to 5-3, but a Powell strike out ended the game with Purdue outlasting the Illini. 

UP NEXT

Illinois is set to take on Purdue in the second of their three game weekend series tomorrow afternoon, Mar. 26 at 1 p.m. CT. Tomorrow's game will be streamed live on B1G+, while fans can follow the game via live stats and our twitter account, @IlliniSB.