MADISON, Wis. – Fighting Illini softball closed out its Big Ten series with Wisconsin by playing a doubleheader against the Badgers at Goodman Diamond on Sunday. Illinois took down the Badgers, 6-4 in the opening contest but dropped the series finale, 10-9.
Illinois moved to 22-14 overall and 1-5 in conference play with the split. Wisconsin owns a 17-10 mark this year with a 4-2 league record.
GAME ONE
The Illini picked up their first win in Big Ten play, topping Wisconsin 6-4 during the first half of the twinbill.
Sydney Sickels came away with the victory out of the bullpen for Illinois as the right-hander went three innings, giving up one run on one hit, while striking out two. Tori McQueen got the start, tossing four innings with five hits and three runs allowed.
Offensively, Kailee Powell went 1-for-3 on the day with a home run and two RBI. Delaney Rummell furnished a standout effort as well, going 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Megan Ward helped out for Illinois, putting together one hit in three trips to the plate while adding a triple and an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Illini fell behind early with the Badgers taking a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second. Wisconsin added a run in the next inning, with the Fighting Illini digging themselves into a 3-0 hole.
However, the bats came alive in the top of the fourth with back-to-back singles leading off the inning. Rummell tallied an RBI double, and Ward knocked an RBI triple into left field, leaving Illinois behind by just a run.
In the top of the fifth, Powell knotted the game with a solo blast over the wall, her first home run of the year.
Sickels came in for the Orange and Blue in the bottom of the frame, tossing a scoreless fifth inning. The following at bat saw the Illini double its advantage. Powell logged an RBI on a groundout before RBI doubles from Danielle Davis and Abby Ryniec put the Illini on top, 6-3.
Despite the Badgers getting one back with a solo blast, Sickels kept the opposition off the board in the seventh, securing the 6-4 victory.
GAME NOTES
» Illinois wore grey uniforms, moving to 3-5 while wearing those.
» Sickels earned her 10th win of the season, owning a 10-5 record on the year
» Illinois improved to 3-9 when the opposition plates the first runs of the game.
» The Fighting Illini moved to 19-11 during day games.
GAME TWO
After being down, 9-1, the Fighting Illini's comeback fell short as the team dropped the final game of the series with Wisconsin, 10-9.
Junior Tori McQueen came out of the bullpen for Illinois and pitched well as the southpaw went five innings, giving up two runs, one earned, on three hits and striking out four.
Stevie Meade led the way offensively for the Fighting Illini, going 2-for-3 in the ballgame with a double and two RBI. Kelly Ryono added a home run, her seventh of the season. Delaney Rummell also added a homer of her own during the loss.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Illini got on the board first with a solo blast from Ryono in the opening frame.
However, the lead was short lived as a pair of homers by the opposition gave Wisconsin a 4-1 edge. The Badgers added five runs in the following frame, putting Illinois behind, 9-1.
Meade came up with a double in the third, plating a pair to cut into the Wisconsin lead. In the following inning, doubles by Abby Ryniec and Avrey Steiner left Illinois trailing 10-6. A wild pitch plated the final run of the inning, leaving the Orange and Blue down 10-7.
Illinois continued to chip away in the fifth with a solo blast from Rummell and a sacrifice fly from Danielle Davis putting the Fighting Illini behind 10-9.
After being held scoreless in the sixth, Sydney Malott logged a one-out double in the top of the seventh. However, Illinois was unable to score in the frame, falling 10-9 in the Big Ten series finale.
UP NEXT
Illinois returns home for a midweek Big Ten matchup with No. 20 Northwestern on Wednesday. First pitch from Eichelberger Field is slated for 6 p.m.
GAME NOTES
» Illinois wore grey uniforms, moving to 3-6 while wearing those.
» Every Fighting Illini starter reached base safely in the loss.
» The Fighting Illini out-hit the Badgers at a 13-7 clip.
» Illinois went 5-for-13 (.385) with runners in scoring position.
» The Fighting Illini moved to 19-12 during day games.
