TUESDAY'S SCORES
@Illinois 7,
Western Illinois 6
@SIUE 6, Saint Louis 5
ILLINOIS 7, WESTERN ILLINOIS 6
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Western Illinois put up a strong fight but came up just short in a 7-6 loss to Illinois on April 1 at Eichelberger Field. The Leathernecks tallied nine hits and mounted a late-inning rally, but the Fighting Illini's offense proved too much to overcome.
After falling behind early, Western Illinois surged in the fifth inning with a four-run outburst, cutting into Illinois' lead. Payton Brown led the way offensively, going 2-for-4 with an RBI, while Sophia Sanchez also chipped in two hits. Ruby Tarr, Lillie Wools, and RyLee German each added a hit to keep the Leathernecks in contention.
Illinois took control early with two runs in the first inning and added to their lead throughout the game. Western Illinois made it interesting with a run in the sixth and another in the seventh, but Illinois' pitching staff held on to secure the victory.
On the mound, Libby Spaulding started for WIU, pitching two innings while allowing three runs on four hits. Kathryn McChristy and Audrey Clark provided relief before Lillie Wools closed out the game, striking out three over 1.2 innings.
Despite the loss, the Leathernecks demonstrated grit and determination, showing they can compete with tough opponents.
SIUE 6, SAINT LOUIS 5
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - SIUE softball erased a 4-0 deficit Tuesday and defeated Saint Louis 6-5 Tuesday at Cougar Field.
The Cougars improved to 19-14 overall while the Billikens fell to 15-19.
Emma Henderson earned her fifth victory for six innings of work, fanning eight batters along the way. Kiana Villa threw the seventh inning to earn her first career save.
SIUE scored the game winner in the bottom of the sixth. With the bases loaded and one out, Kaylin Fahy hit the ball off Saint Louis reliever Isabel Royle. The ball caromed over to second baseman Abby Ulsas who was able to get the ball to first baseman Jane Kaniecki for the out, However, the play allowed Raegan Duncan to score and put the Cougars ahead 6-5.
SLU scored four runs in the first three innings. Two came off a two-run homer by Natalie Sullivan.
SIUE roared back in the bottom of the third, tying the game with a four-run rally. RBI doubles by Fahy and Emma Henderson highlighted the inning.
After SLU regained the lead in the top of the fifth on a home run by Abby Mallo, SIUE evened up the score in the bottom of the fifth. Fahy, who had straight on hit the fence in the left field foul territory earlier in the game, scored on a infield ground out from Piper Montgomery.
Kaylynn Salyars and Emma Henderson each had two hits for the Cougars.