EVANSTON, Ill. - Illinois fell to Northwestern in the series opener, 4-3, at Sharon J. Drysdale Field on Saturday afternoon.
The Fighting Illini dropped to 14-18 on the year with a 1-6 record against Big Ten opponents. The Wildcats improved to 19-11-1 this season with an undefeated 8-0 record in conference play.
Stevie Meade posted a 3-for-4 day at the plate to pace the Illini.
Illinois got on the board first, with Meade coming home on a wild pitch from the Wildcats in the opening frame.
The lead was short-lived with the Wildcats tacking on four runs in the fourth.
With the Illini going scoreless until the seventh, a homer from Meade and a sacrifice fly from Eileen Donahue cut the deficit to a run, 4-3, but it was not enough as the Orange and Blue fell to Northwestern.
Up Next
Illinois and Northwestern will play a doubleheader on Sunday. First pitch from the first contest is slated for 11 a.m. on B1G+.
