URBANA, Ill. – Illinois softball came up short against Iowa, 5-3, on Senior Day at Eichelberger Field.
The Fighting Illini fell to 21-29 and 7-14 in league play. Iowa moved to 17-28 and 5-17 in conference competition.
Lauren Wiles started and took the loss in the circle for Illinois. Senior Tori McQueen was a bright spot out of the bullpen, going one shutout inning while fanning one Hawkeye batter. Offensively, Megan Ward led the Fighting Illini at the plate, going 2-for-2 with a double and two RBI.
How it happened
Illinois fell behind early, with the Hawkeyes tacking on a pair of runs in the top of the second.
In the bottom of the frame, the Fighting Illini charged back, loading the bases with just one away. Eileen Donahue logged a sacrifice fly for the first Orange and Blue run of the day.
The opposition extended its advantage in the third, boasting the 3-1 lead. After a scoreless fourth by both squads, Ward mashed an RBI double to right center field, cutting the deficit to just a run.
Iowa rallied in the top of the sixth, plating two in the frame. With the Illini down to their final three outs, Ward added an RBI following her sacrifice fly, but the team left the bases loaded, ending the 5-3 defeat.
Up Next
The final game at Eichelberger Field this season will take place on Sunday. First pitch from the series finale against Iowa is slated for 12 p.m.
Notes
» Illinois wore navy jerseys, moving to 6-9 while donning those.
» The Illini moved to 31-27 against Iowa.
» Megan Ward extended her hitting streak to six games.
» Paige Berkmeyer caught her league-leading 17th runner stealing.
» All four seniors appeared in the Senior Day game.
» Attendance was called at 715.
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