Saturday was cold and blustery at Eichelberger Field at Martin Stadium, and Illini bats were not much warmer than the weather as the Fighting Illini fell to Iowa 5-2.

The Illini (30-30, 8-11 Big Ten) started out strong as sophomore pitcher Christine Christopoulos set down the first three batters she faced in the top of the first. In the bottom half, Illinois scored twice after senior shortstop Angelena Mexicano reached on an error and senior third baseman Shanna Diller followed up with her ninth long ball of the season. But that would be the extent of the Illini offense.

The Hawkeyes (37-17, 13-6) scored twice in the top of the second on two solo homers by sophomore designated player Katie Brown and junior shortstop Erin Riemersma to even the score at 2-2.

Iowa added another long ball in the fourth to chase Christopoulos and would go on to add a pair of runs in the sixth off Illinois sophomore pitcher Ashley Wright en route to defeating the Fighting Illini.

Illinois has one more chance against the Hawkeyes on Sunday, when the Big Ten rivals will face each other in the final game of the regular season.