URBANA, Ill. — Illinois softball (8-20, 0-3 Big Ten) fell to SEC opponent Missouri in a doubleheader on Wednesday, 3-0, and 9-4.
GAME ONE
The first inning passed scoreless, with Missouri stranding a pair on the base paths. In the second inning, Abby Carr led off with a walk, Kayley Lenger was hit by pitch, and Claire Cahalan advanced the runners to second and third with a ground out. A two-RBI single from Addy Waits gave Missouri a 2-0 advantage through two.A solo home run from Sophie Smith would be the only other run, and despite hits from Skylar Brennan and Eileen Donahue in the final frame, the Tigers took the 3-0 victory in game one.
GAME TWO
Missouri was on the board first in game two, with a two-RBI home run from Stefanie Abruscato after Waits walked. Not to be outdone, Keirys Click led off with a double for the Illini, and after Adisyn Caryl walked, Eileen Donahue brought them both home with a three-RBI home run, earning Illinois the 3-2 lead early.
A solo home run from Sidney Forrester to start the third frame evened things up for the Tigers.
Missouri added two more in the fourth, with hits from Madison Uptegrove, Lenger, and Linny Ramsey, and another pair in the fifth, behind solo home runs from Forrester and Abby Hay.
An RBI single from Abruscato increased Missouri's lead in the sixth, but Illinois got one back with a solo shot from Donahue, her second home run of the contest. One final home run from Smith concluded the scoring and Missouri logged the 9-4 win.
NOTES
- Eileen Donahue went 2-for-4 at the plate in game two, with two home runs and all four of Illinois' RBI
- Donahue now has five home runs on the season, including four in the last week alone
- She is also the only Illini with two or more multi-homer games this season
- Skylar Brennan extended her reached base streak to 13 games with a base hit in game one, before it was snapped in game two
- Ava Moore added her ninth sacrifice hit of the season in game one, tying her for eighth in Illinois single-season history with Sarah Bryers (2007)
UP NEXT
Illinois returns to action at Eichelberger Field, March 20-22, for its second Big Ten Series against in-state rival Northwestern. All three games will stream on B1G+. First pitch on Friday, March 20, is set for 5 p.m. CT, with all kids invited to run the bases following the game.
