URBANA, Ill. -- Fighting Illini softball fell to the Rutgers, 10-8, at Eichelberger Field on Sunday.
Illinois drops to 18-12 on the year with an 0-3 mark in Big Ten play. Rutgers improves to 26-10 with an undefeated 3-0 mark against league opponents.
Tori McQueen earned the start, going 2.1 innings while allowing six runs on five hits. Addy Jarvis came out of the bullpen for Illinois and took the loss, giving up three runs on three hits while fanning three Scarlet Knight batters. Sydney Sickels tossed 2.0 innings, allowing one run on two hits.
Stevie Meade's two extra base hits were the highlight of a 3-for-3 day for the sophomore, and included a double, a triple, a walk and an RBI. Kelly Ryono made her contribution with a double, a home run and six RBI, part of a 3-for-3 performance at the plate Megan Ward added two hits in four trips to the plate.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Fighting Illini got on the board in the opening frame with Meade's triple beginning a rally for the Orange and Blue. Ryono added a sacrifice fly to score the lone run of the inning for Illinois.
Rutgers knotted the game with a sacrifice fly in the following at bat and in the top of the third, added five runs to take a 6-1 lead over the Illini. Three singles and a hit batter brought in the runs for the Scarlet Knights, putting the Fighting Illini behind as they entered the home half of the inning.
With two on and no outs on the board, Meade tallied an RBI single to dig into the Rutgers advantage. Ryono cleared the bases with her fifth homer this season, putting Illinois behind 6-5.
Illinois kept the Scarlet Knights off the scoreboard before rallying to snatch a 7-6 lead in the fourth. Despite having two away, Avrey Steiner added a single before a double from Meade put a pair of runners into scoring position. Once again, it was Ryono to drive home the duo, giving Illinois the 7-6 advantage.
The slight edge was short lived as a pair of home runs in the next two innings left the Illini behind, 10-7, entering their final at bat.
Meade earned a leadoff walk before a Ryono double put the pair into scoring position. A sacrifice fly by Delaney Rummell cut into the Rutgers lead. However, back-to-back outs ended the Fighting Illini's chances and secured the 10-8 loss.
Illinois returns to action at Eichelberger Field when the team hosts SIUE on Tuesday. First pitch is slated for 5 p.m.
GAME NOTES
» The Fighting Illini got three-hit games from both Meade and Ryono.
» The Fighting Illini wore white jerseys, dropping to 4-3 while donning those.
» Illinois went 3-for-6 (.500) with runners in scoring position.
» Illinois dropped to 10-1 when scoring in the first inning.
» The Orange and Blue were swept in conference play for the first time since 2019.
» Illinois dropped to 7-5 all-time against Rutgers
