URBANA, Ill. — Illinois softball (14-34, 3-15 Big Ten) fell to Penn State in game one of the series, 6-1, on Friday evening at Eichelberger Field.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Kaylie Walters and Allison Oneacre each notched base hits to start the first frame for Penn State, and Walters came around to score after an Illinois error and wild pitch. Oneacre scored the second and final run of the inning on an RBI single from Gabby Gradishar.
Frazier held the Nittany Lions scoreless for the next three frames, but the Fighting Illini saw limited movement offensively, as Adisyn Caryl was left stranded after a double in the third.
Brenna Hanik sent a two-score home run to left field in the fifth, increasing the Penn State advantage to four runs.
Eileen Donahue led off the sixth with a solo home run for Illinois, and Ellie Haggard followed up with a base hit. A double play concluded the inning before the Orange and Blue could plate any additional runs.
Penn State tacked on its final insurance runs in the last inning, behind a solo shot from Brooke Klosowicz and sacrifice fly from Macy Chamberlin.
Pinch hitter Taylor Porter tallied a single in the bottom of the frame but Penn State took the series-opening win, 6-1.
POSTGAME NOTES
- Danika Frazier earned the start in the circle, throwing six innings and conceding three earned runs. She falls to 1-4 on the year.
- Frazier walked three batters and struck out one.
- Eileen Donahue was 1-for-3 at the plate, her lone hit a solo home run.
- Donahue now has 12 home runs on the year and 35 RBI, both team bests.
- Adisyn Caryl was 1-for-2 at the plate along with a walk.
- Caryl's double was her eighth this season, tied for most on the squad alongside Skylar Brennan.
- Taylor Porter was a perfect 1-for-1 at the plate, recording her third hit of the season and first in conference play.
- Ellie Haggard was 1-for-3 at the plate, notching a base hit.
UP NEXT
Illinois and Penn State return for game two of the series on Saturday, April 25, at 1 p.m. CT. The contest will air on Big Ten Network with Lisa Byington and Jennie Ritter on the call.
All fans are invited to the World's Largest Softball Tailgate prior to Saturday's game, from 11 to 1 p.m. outside Eichelberger Field. The tailgate will have live music, food trucks, inflatables, and more. Saturday will also serve as the program's Senior Day, to recognize the contributions of Reese Hunkins, Gabrielle Debevec, Christina Crawford, Karley Yergler, and Alaina Miller to the Fighting Illini program.
Fans are reminded to plan extra time into their commute, due to road closures for the Illinois Marathon. View the closures and recommended driving route at illinoismarathon.com.
