Illinois Softball takes weekend series against Penn State

The Fighting Illini softball team traveled to State College, Pennsylvania, over the weekend, winning two out of three games, improving to a 33-16 record on the season and a 11-7 record in the Big Ten. The Illini currently stand in sixth place as they move into the last week of the regular season.

Game 1: Illinois 10, Penn State 4

While Penn State had jumped out to a 4-2 lead by the end of the fifth inning, Illinois’ bats came to life in the sixth inning, scoring eight unanswered runs in the last two innings.

Stephanie Abello had four RBI on three hits, and Bella Loya drove in two runs on two hits. Taylor Edwards picked up the win, moving her record to 14-7.

Game 2: Illinois 11, Penn State 4

Illinois’ offense picked up right where it left off in the second game of the doubleheader, scoring five runs in the first two innings, and the Illiniput the game away in the fifth inning when they jumped out to a 9-2 lead.

Kiana Sherlund led the way for the Illini, hitting two home runs for five RBI. Emily Oestrich pitched 5.2 innings in relief, picking up her 14th win of the season.

Game 3: Penn State 4, Illinois 3

While Sunday’s game went nine innings, Illinois was only able to put up four hits and score three runs, all of which were unearned.

Edwards pitched four innings for the Illini, giving up five hits and one earned run, while Oestrich (14-8) also pitched four innings, giving up only two hits, including a walk-off home run to Penn State’s Tori Dubois.