URBANA, Ill. - Big Ten play for Fighting Illini softball began with a pair of games against Rutgers at Eichelberger Field. Illinois dropped both contests to the Scarlet Knights, 7-5 and 8-0, on Saturday afternoon.
With the back-to-back losses, Illinois drops to 18-11 this season and 0-2 in Big Ten play. Rutgers improved to 25-10 and 2-0 against league opponents
GAME ONE
After rain halted the series opener with Rutgers, the Illini suffered a 7-5 setback at Eichelberger Field.
Addy Jarvis came out of the bullpen for Illinois and took the loss, tossing one inning. Sydney Sickels started the ballgame and throwing 4.1 innings, giving up two runs, one earned, on six hits, with one walk and two strikeouts. Tori McQueen went 1.2 innings, surrendering one run on two hits while fanning three Scarlet Knight batters.
Offensively, the Fighting Illini were led by Megan Ward, who went 2-for-3 on the day with a double, a walk and two RBI. Stevie Meade compiled a noteworthy performance at the plate as well, going 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Delaney Rummell added one hit in two trips to the plate while adding a walk and an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After a pair of scoreless innings, Rutgers got on the board in the third with a homer and a walk scoring the first runs of the contest.
The Scarlet Knight lead did not last as a sacrifice fly from Rummell and an RBI single from Sydney Malott knotted the game at two apiece.
Following a scoreless fourth inning, play was suspended due to weather. The game resumed on Saturday, starting with the fifth inning and the score tied, 2-2.
In the bottom of the fifth frame, the Fighting Illini's bats came alive, beginning with a single from Rummell. Ward drove home the runner with an RBI double, breaking open the stalemate and giving Illinois the 3-2 advantage.
The lead was short lived, however, with the Scarlet Knights plating four runs in the top of the sixth to hold a 7-3 edge.
Illinois gained two back in the bottom of the frame as RBI singles from Meade and Ward closed the gap, putting Illinois behind 7-5 heading to the final inning. However, a scoreless final at bat for the Orange and Blue sealed the series opening loss.
GAME NOTES
» Illinois donned orange jerseys, moving to 5-2 while wearing those.
» The four home runs surrendered were the most given up by the Illini pitching staff this season
» The 12 hits allowed were the most given up by the Orange and Blue pitching staff this year
» Jarvis dropped to 3-1 on the season.
» The 12 hits for Illinois were the most for the team this season.
» Four Illinois hitters had multiple base knocks in the ballgame.
» Illinois left 10 runners stranded on base in the loss.
» Illinois went 5-for-14 (.357) with runners in scoring position.
GAME TWO
Illini softball suffered its second setback to Rutgers, dropping the contest with the Scarlet Knights, 8-0.
Sophomore Lauren Wiles started and took the loss in the circle for Illinois. Sydney Sickels was a bright spot out of the bullpen, going seven innings, surrendering four runs, on seven hits, walking two and striking out four.
At the plate, the Fighting Illini were paced by Megan Ward, who went 3-for-3 on the day.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Despite getting the start, Wiles failed to record an out in the top of the inning, leaving Sickels to come in to relieve the sophomore with Illinois behind, 3-0. The veteran pitcher completed the inning, allowing two more runs to put Illinois behind 5-0 before the team's first at bat.
Rutgers expanded on its advantage in the fourth with a solo home run by Payton Lincavage putting the Scarlet Knights ahead, 6-0
The Fighting Illini had their best chance to score in the fifth with Gabi Robles logging a leadoff single. A walk and a hit batter loaded the bases with one out on the board. However, a strikeout and a ground out concluded the inning with Illinois unable to plate a run.
Two more came across for Rutgers in the top of the seventh. A walk and a single with two away gave the Orange and Blue hope, but it was not enough as Rutgers blanked the Illini, 8-0.
The Fighting Illini face the Scarlet Knights in the final contest of the series on Sunday with first pitch slated for noon
GAME NOTES
» Illinois wore grey uniforms, moving to 2-5 while wearing those.
» Wiles dropped to 5-4 this year in the circle
» The loss marked just the fourth time the team has been shutout all year.
» Illinois left 10 runners stranded on base in the loss.
» The eight runs allowed were the fourth-most for Illinois this year
