URBANA, Ill. – Fighting Illini softball split a doubleheader with Ohio State at Eichelberger Field on Saturday. Illinois took the first game of the day, 13-7, before dropping the rubber match, 9-1, in six innings.
Illinois moved to 24-20 overall and 3-11 in Big Ten play. Ohio State owns a 27-14 record this year with an 8-6 mark against conference opponents.
GAME ONE
The bats came alive for the Fighting Illini as the team topped Ohio State 13-7, to start the day.
Addy Jarvis picked up the victory out of the bullpen for Illinois. The right-hander went 2.1 innings, giving up one run on three hits, allowing one walk and striking out one. Sydney Sickels earned her first save of the season and the 18th of her career in the Orange and Blue.
Sydney Malott went 2-for-4 with a home run in addition to her four RBI for the Fighting Illini. Stevie Meade compiled a noteworthy day at the dish as well, going 2-for-5 with a double and three RBI. Megan Ward put together three hits in three trips to the plate while adding a walk and an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Ohio State got on the board first, plating four runs during its first at bat. The Illini's bats came alive in the bottom of the frame with RBI singles from Kelly Ryono, Ward and Avrey Steiner, cutting the Buckeye lead to just one.
In the top of the second, Ohio State built on its advantage, adding a pair of runs to hold the 6-3 edge.
The Fighting Illini rallied in the bottom of the third, beginning with a double from Kailee Powell. An RBI single for Malott plated the first run of the inning and an RBI single from the bat of Danielle Davis put Illinois behind 6-5. Meade gave the Orange and Blue their first lead of the day, sending a single through the left side to score a pair on the play. With Illinois ahead 7-6, an RBI groundout from the bat of Meade in the following frame gave the Orange and Blue the two-run edge.
Despite allowing a solo homer in the top of the sixth, Illinois tacked on five runs in the bottom of the frame. Malott added her fourth homer of the year, a three-run blast, giving Illinois the 11-7 lead. Yazzy Avila took a bases loaded walk and Ryono logged an RBI groundout to put Illinois ahead, 13-7, heading to the final inning.
Ohio State added a two-run homer in the seventh, Illinois came away with the 13-9 win in the first game of the doubleheader.
GAME NOTES
» Illinois got three-hit games from three different hitters.
» Every Illinois starter reached base safely in the win.
» Five Fighting Illini tallied multiple hits in the ballgame.
» Illinois improved to 13-3 when scoring in the first inning.
» Illinois had a total of 16 hits, the most in a game this season
» The Fighting Illini out-hit the Buckeyes at a 16-12 clip.
» Illinois went 7-for-20 (.350) with runners in scoring position.
» The Fighting Illini got two hits in five at-bats with the bases loaded.
» Illinois wore grey uniforms, moving to 5-5 when wearing those.
» Jarvis owns a 4-3 record in the circle.
GAME TWO
Illinois dropped its series finale with Ohio State, 9-1, in six innings.
Tori McQueen got the ball to start for Illinois and took the loss, tossing 2.1 innings two runs on two hits. Lauren Wiles, Addy Jarvis, Sydney Sickels and Morgan Scivally saw time in the circle, coming out of the bullpen.
Senior Delaney Rummell led the way offensively for the Fighting Illini, going 1-for-3 in the ballgame with a double.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Ohio State struck early with a solo homer in the opening frame. Another blast in the third put the Buckeyes on top, 2-0.
After a scoreless fourth inning for both squads, Ohio State extended its lead by plating three runs in the top of the fifth.
Trailing 5-0 in the sixth, Illinois allowed four runs to the Buckeyes in the sixth, including a two-RBI double. Despite a wild pitch from Ohio State plating a run for the Fighting Illini, Illinois fell in six innings, 9-1.
GAME NOTES
» Illinois wore grey uniforms, moving to 5-6 when wearing those.
» The Fighting Illini dropped to 4-14 when allowing the opposition to score first.
» The Illini fell to 4-4 in abbreviated games.
» Illinois is now 13-26 all-time against Ohio State.
» McQueen dropped to 4-4 in the circle.
UP NEXT
Illinois welcomes Illinois State for a clash at Eichelberger Field on Tuesday night. First pitch is slated for 5 p.m. on B1G+.
