AUBURN, Ala. – Illinois softball dropped a contest to Belmont, 6-4, at Jane B. Moore Field on Friday night as a part of the Tiger Invitational.
With the loss, the Fighting Illini fell to 0-2, while the Bruins improved to 1-1.
Briana Bower made her debut with the Orange and Blue, tossing a complete game while allowing six runs on eight hits and striking out six.
Offensively, the Fighting Illini were led by Sydney Malott, who went 1-for-2 on the day with a home run, a walk and two RBI. Stevie Meade furnished a noteworthy day at the plate as well, going 1-for-2 with a walk and an RBI.
How it Happened
Belmont struck first, scoring two runs in the opening frame. In the top of the second, Malott cut the Bruin lead in half with a solo blast.
Kelly Ryono began the top of the third with a double to right field. Following a sacrifice bunt by Meade, Megan Ward brought Ryono home, knotting the game at two apiece.
In the bottom of the frame the Bruins broke the game open, scoring three runs off a double and a wild pitch. During the Illini's next at-bat, Meade drove home Ryono with a single up the middle, leaving Illinois behind, 5-3.
The Orange and Blue had its chances in the sixth, with a single and a walk putting runners on first and second with one out on the board. However, the team could not capitalize, going scoreless in the top of the inning.
Down to their final three outs while trailing 6-3, Meade led off the inning by reaching third on an error by Belmont's right fielder. Paige Berkmeyer logged a one-out walk before Malott drove home Meade on a sacrifice fly. After a walk put runners on first and second, a fly ball to center ended the rally for the Fighting Illini, handing the team its second-straight loss.
Up Next
Illinois continues its run at the Tiger Invitational with a game against #19/20 Auburn on Saturday. First pitch is slated for 4 p.m. on SEC Network+.
Game Notes
» Illinois wore white jerseys, moving to 0-2 while donning those.
» Briana Bower made her Illini debut and struck out her first batter.
» Adisyn Caryl recorded her first collegiate hit, a single in the top of the second.
» Serena Starks recorded her first hit in the Orange and Blue. She went 2-for-4 in the game.
» Delaney Mosley made her collegiate debut as a pinch runner.
» Illinois dropped to 0-1 all-time against Belmont.
