“Third time’s a charm” was the presumed motto for this weekend after Illinois solely won game three of the four-game series against Ohio State. But the Illini finished with a series record of 1-3, contributing to their overall record of 23-17 and a fielding percentage of .575. In other words, the Buckeyes bucked the Illini.

Illinois dropped the first doubleheader of the weekends’ four-game series — 12-0 in game one and 5-1 in game two. Sophomore Delaney Rummell hit her fourth home run of the season in game two, while juniors Sydney Sickels and Addy Jarvis both started in the circle for the Illini.  

On Friday afternoon, game one was scoreless until the fourth inning when Ohio State scored 11 runs. The Buckeyes recorded seven hits during the inning, including a two-run home run to begin the 11-run inning.

Sickels got the start for the Illini, throwing 3.1 innings while giving up six earned runs and striking out one. Freshman Tori McQueen and graduate student Kelsie Packard both made appearances for the Illini to finish out the game.

Game two was led by Ohio State, as it opened up the scoring again, putting up four runs in the top of the second inning to take an early 4-0 lead, followed by one more run in the top of the fourth. Illinois’ only run was from Rummell, hitting a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth and contributing to her current team-high 31 runs batted in. 

The Illini split Saturday’s doubleheader with the Buckeyes, taking game one, 7-2, but dropping game two, 2-1. For the final home series of the year, Illinois celebrated its four seniors: Rhein Trochim, Shelby Stauffenberg, Bella Loya and Katie Wingerter. These four vigorous players all were acknowledged for their hard work and contributions to the Illini softball program over the last four seasons.

Saturday’s first game opened with Ohio State taking the lead once again with a sacrifice fly in the top of the second. Redshirt freshman Jaelyn Vickery responded with a two-out, two-run homer in the third inning to gain the lead going into the fourth.  

Bats broke out in game one as the Illini’s offense added four more runs to take a 6-1 lead heading into the fifth. Junior Kailee Powell went 2-for-2 with two runs scored and an RBI. Rummell went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, while Steiner went 1-for-4 with a run scored. 

Sickels held on to the 7-2 lead, earning her 14th win of the season. In her 21st start of the season, Sickels struck out three while allowing seven hits and two runs. She improved to 14-5 on the season after earning the win and threw her 13th complete game of the season.

Vickery powered the Illini to a win in game one, notching her second home run of the season and picking up four of the team’s seven RBIs in the game. She was a powerhouse at the plate, going 2-for-3 with one run and four RBIs.  

With determination and diligence, the Illini advanced to game two. Though the Illini didn’t take the win, dropping the final game of the series 2-1, their perseverance demonstrated their single-mindedness to continue pushing through. 

Sophomore Kelly Ryono opened up the scoring in game two with her first career home run, a solo shot to left field to give the Illini a one-run lead. The low-scoring pitcher’s duel remained 1-0 until the top of the sixth, when the Buckeyes took the lead on a two-run home run to take a 2-1 edge over the Illini.

Jarvis was impressive in the circle for all seven innings, giving up just four hits and two earned runs while striking out three. She now holds a 6-7 record this season. 

Illinois is back on the road for the final four-game series of the regular season, taking on Iowa in Iowa City next weekend. The Hawkeyes are currently 21-17; the Illini solely see this as a challenge ready to be overcome. 

@allendeauguste

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