EVANSTON, Ill. – Illinois softball faced No. 22 Northwestern in a midweek clash, falling 6-1 at Drysdale Field on Wednesday afternoon.
The Fighting Illini moved to 23-18 overall and 2-9 against Big Ten opponents. The ranked Wildcats improved to 25-9 overall and 10-1 in league play.
In the circle, Lauren Wiles got the start, pitching 2.2 innings while allowing one run on three hits with three strikeouts. Addy Jarvis came out of the bullpen, tossing 0.1 innings and taking the loss. Tori McQueen went 0.2 innings while Sydney Sickels pitched 2.1 in relief.
Offensively, Megan Ward led the way, driving in the lone run of the game and going 1-for-2. Leadoff hitter Stevie Meade went 1-for-2 with a walk in the game.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Both teams went scoreless through two innings, but Northwestern struck first in the bottom of the third. A leadoff walk proved to be costly with the runner scoring from third on an RBI single for the first run of the game.
The Fighting Illini rallied in the fourth with a leadoff walk and a error putting a pair on without any outs on the board. Ward drove in a run with a single up the middle, tying the game.
Northwestern plated five in the squad's next at bat, taking the 6-1 advantage heading into the fifth.
Scoreless frames followed for both teams, leaving the Illini to their final three outs. The squad went down in order, sealing the 6-1 loss to the ranked Wildcats.
NOTES:
» Illinois wore white jerseys, moving to 6-5 while donning those
» The Fighting Illini moved to 20-14 when playing day games
» The Illini are 0-5 against ranked opponents
» When allowing the opposition to score first, Illinois moved to 3-12.
» Jarvis moved to 3-3 in the circle this year.
