UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.– Illinois softball fell to Penn State in a doubleheader at Beard Field on Saturday afternoon. The Fighting Illini dropped the opener, 9-1, in five innings and game two, 6-2, to the Nittany Lions.
The Illini moved to 28-23 on the year with a 6-13 mark in Big Ten play. Penn State now owns a 28-14 overall record this year with a 9-10 league record.
GAME ONE
Illinois dropped the series opener against Penn State, 9-1, in five innings to open the twinbill.
Lauren Wiles got the start and picked up the loss, falling to 6-6 on the year. The sophomore allowed five runs on six hits. Addy Jarvis pitched 3.0 innings in relief, allowing four runs on five hits while fanning a pair of Penn State batters.
Offensively, the Fighting Illini were led by Kailee Powell, who went 1-for-2 with an RBI double. Megan Ward added a 1-for-2 performance at the plate while Gabi Robles also recorded 1-for-2 on the day with an infield single.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Illinois struck first in the opening frame. After Stevie Meade got on with a leadoff walk, Powell drove the runner home with an RBI double.
The advantage was short lived as an RBI single from the Nittany Lions tied the game in the bottom of the inning. A pair of bases loaded walks gave Penn State the lead, putting Illinois behind 3-1 entering the second inning.
Three more runs came across for Penn State in the following frame and the opposition tacked on a run in the third, extending the 7-1 deficit for the Illini.
Penn State added a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth, handing Illinois the walk-off defeat in five innings.
NOTES
» The Fighting Illini moved to 17-4 when scoring in the first.
» The Illini fell to 24-7 when scoring first.
» The Fighting Illini wore navy jerseys, moving to 6-6 when wearing those.
» The Orange and Blue dropped to 4-5 in shortened games.
» Penn State out hit Illinois, 11-3.
GAME TWO
Illinois fell in the second game with Penn State, 6-2.
Sydney Sickels got the start and dropped to 13-10 in the circle. The fifth year went 3.1 innings, allowing six runs, four earned, on eight hits, fanning five batters. Tori McQueen came out of the bullpen, tossing 2.2 innings in relief.
Offensively, Delaney Rummell went 1-for-4 with a double and two RBI. Kailee Powell and Megan Ward added 2-for-4 performances at the plate with both players posting a double.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Penn State drew first blood with an RBI double during the team's first at bat.
A scoreless second followed for both teams, the Nittany Lions added a pair of runs in the third, extending their 3-0 advantage.
Illinois threatened in the top of the fourth, putting runners in scoring position with two away. However, a strikeout ended the teams hopes in the frame, keeping the Illini off the board.
A solo homer led off the bottom of the inning for Penn State, putting Illinois behind, 4-0. A two-run dinger added to the Nittany Lion lead, with the Illini trailing, 6-0. Following the two long balls, McQueen entered the game for the Fighting Illini striking out a Penn State batter to end the fourth.
The Orange and Blue southpaw tossed a pair of scoreless innings, keeping Penn State off the board. Looking to rally, Illinois loaded the bases with one away in the final frame. Rummell sent a double down the left field line, plating a pair of runs for Illinois. However, a lineout ended the Fighting Illini's comeback hopes, sealing the 6-2 loss.
NOTES
» The Fighting Illini wore navy jerseys, moving to 6-7 when wearing those.
» The Illini dropped to 2-13 when allowing the opponent score in the first
» The Fighting Illini hold a 4-16 record when allowing the opposition to score first.
» Hits were tied, 8-8.
» Illinois moved to 30-18 against Penn State.
» Illinois left 10 runners stranded on base in the loss.
» Every Fighting Illini starter reached base safely in the loss.
UP NEXT
The series finale with Penn State is slated for noon CT on Sunday at Beard Field and will air on B1G+.
