EVANSTON, Ill. – Illinois softball dropped a midweek Big Ten clash against Northwestern, 4-1, at Sharon T. Drysdale Field on Tuesday afternoon.
The Fighting Illini fell to 16-25 overall and 3-10 in Big Ten play with the loss. The Wildcats, who are receiving votes in the latest National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) poll, improved to 27-8 overall and 13-1 in conference action.
Tori McQueen got the start and took the loss, allowing four runs on four hits while fanning a pair. Offensively, Stevie Meade went 2-for-2 in the game to lead the team.
How it happened
Both teams went scoreless through three, with McQueen carrying a no-hitter into the bottom of the fourth. However, the Wildcats tacked on three runs in the frame, breaking the deadlock.
Illinois had its chance in the top of the fifth with back-to-back singles from the bats of Meade and Adisyn Caryl with one away. However, the team was unable to push across a run, stranding the pair.
Trailing 4-0 after the Wildcats added a run in the sixth, Meade began a one-out rally with a walk. A pair of errors scored a run for Illinois, but it was the only run the team would plate, ending the 4-1 defeat.
Up Next
The Fighting Illini remain on the road for a weekend series at Michigan State. Friday's first pitch is slated for 4 p.m. on B1G+.
Notes
» Illinois wore orange jerseys, moving to 4-6 while donning those.
» The Illini moved to 16-36 against Northwestern.
» Kelly Ryono extended her hitting streak to four games.
» The complete game for McQueen was the 11th of the season for the senior.
» The Fighting Illini out-hit the Wildcats at a 6-4 clip.
