Despite a comeback effort in the fifth inning, Illinois softball fell to Western Illinois 5-4 during a home game Wednesday night.

The Leathernecks scored five quick runs off freshman pitcher Ashley Wright to take a big lead early in the game.

After the pitching settled down and shutout the Western Illinois offense for the rest of the game, the Illinois offense looked to provide the spark need for the victory.

The Illini scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth with RBIs from Molly Lawhead and Kisten Martin.

The offensive production was too little too late as Illinois was unable to catch Western Illinois.

“We fell short at the plate today and couldn’t make the comeback,” head coach Terri Sullivan said.

Check out tomorrow’s edition of The Daily Illini for more on the Illinois softball team.