URBANA, Ill. – Fighting Illini softball closed out the regular season with a loss to Maryland, 6-1, at Eichelberger Field on Sunday.
Illinois fell to 28-26 overall and 6-16 in Big Ten play. Maryland improved to 36-16 this season with a 11-11 conference record.
Sydney Sickels earned the start and took the loss, tossing 6.1 innings while allowing six runs on 10 hits while fanning seven Terrapin batters. Lauren Wiles went 0.2 innings in relief.
Offensively, the Fighting Illini were paced by Avrey Steiner, who went 1-for-2 on the day with a walk and an RBI. Kailee Powell compiled a standout performance at the plate as well, going 1-for-3 with a double.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Both teams went scoreless to open the contest, but the Terps plated three runs in the second to take an early lead.
Following a pair of scoreless innings by both squads, Maryland extended its advantage in the fifth, pushing across three to hold the 6-0 edge.
In the bottom of the frame, Sydney Malott began the Fighting Illini's at bat with a single. After the runner advanced to third on a pair of wild pitches, Steiner sent a single up the middle, scoring the first run of the day for Illinois.
Trailing 6-1 with the bottom of the order due up in the seventh, the Fighting Illini were retired in order to close out the loss.
GAME NOTES
» Illinois wore white jerseys, moving to 7-6 while donning those.
» The Illini fell to 4-19 when allowing the opposition to score first.
» Illinois moved to 10-6 all-time against the Terps.
» Sickels dropped to 13-11 during her 2023 campaign.
» Illinois fell to 10-10 at home this year.
» The Illini dropped to 1-3 in series sweeps
UP NEXT
The Big Ten Tournament runs through Urbana, Ill., as Eichelberger Field serves as the host site for the 2023 conference tournament. This will be the first time Illinois softball as hosted the event. The tournament is set to take place from May 10-13 with every game broadcasted on BTN.
