The Fighting Illini softball dropped a 3-0 decision to Wisconsin on another rainy Saturday (April 29) afternoon at Eichelberger Field. Originally scheduled for a 1 p.m. CT start, the Illini and Badgers took the field at 2:45 p.m., to due to heavy rain overnight and earlier in the day.
With the setback, the Illini fall to 35-12 and 13-4 in the Big Ten Conference, while the Badgers move to 29-13 and 8-11 in the league.
It was a scoreless tie through five innings of action until the Badgers broke through in the top of the sixth frame as a leadoff single up the middle turned into the game-winning run on an RBI double down the left field line.
Wisconsin added a pair of runs in the top of the seventh on a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch, followed by an RBI single through the right side.
The Illini left eight runners on base in the contest, including a bases-loaded situation in the fifth frame where junior Annie Fleming appeared to be hit by a pitch, but was called back.
As a team, the Illini totaled four hits and an error, with senior Ruby Rivera leading the team with two hits. Senior Nicole Evans and sophomore Kiana Sherlund each added a double on the day.
Senior Breanna Wonderly (18-10) took the loss after allowing three earned runs on five hits and four walks, while adding one strikeout in six and a third innings of action. Junior Erin Walker saw two-thirds innings of work in relief, giving up just one hit and striking out one in the outing.
Wisconsin's Kaitlyn Menz (20-8) earned the win after holding the Illini to four hits, while walking four and striking out two in a complete game effort.
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