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IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa softball team (15-20, 1-9 Big Ten) fell to the Illinois Fighting Illini (25-13, 5-5 Big Ten), 12-1, on Friday afternoon at Bob Pearl Field.
Freshman Abby Lien hit her third home run of the season in the second inning. Junior Allison Doocy notched five strikeouts through three innings.
HEAR FROM COACH GILLISPIE
“Illinois is solid offensively and defensively. They had some key hits when they needed them and we’re still struggling with that. That’s one of the things we’re working on, is to get more aggressive at the plate.”
“Every day is a new day, we’re going to come out tomorrow and keep fighting, that’s what we do.”
HOW IT HAPPENED
Illinois wasted no time getting things started, scoring two in the first inning with three hits.
Lien smacked one over the left field fence in the second inning, scoring Iowa’s lone run of the afternoon.
Illinois hit a grand slam in the top of third, making it 7-1. The Illini added an insurance run in the top of the fourth.
Illinois hit another grand slam in the top of fifth, making the score 12-1.
Doocy pitched four innings and was relieved by senior Erin Riding in the fifth. Freshman Miranda Schulte came in for Riding in the fifth to get the last out.
The Hawkeyes tried to start a spark in the fifth, freshman Sydney Owens drew a walk and junior Alex Rath contributed a single, but Iowa couldn’t get anyone across the plate, leaving runners on to end the game.
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes conclude their series vs. Illinois on Saturday, April 13, with a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. (CT). Game two will begin 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one.
Due to the Musco Twilight track and field meet, a complimentary shuttle will be provided from the Hawkeye Commuter Lot (Lot 85) to Pearl Field for additional parking.