Indiana University Athletics
Indiana University
Illinois
Hoosiers Drop Game Two on Saturday, 9-8
3/28/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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URBANA, Ill. - Despite rallying from a 7-1 second-inning deficit, the Indiana softball team lost on a walk-off fielder's choice to Illinois on Saturday, 9-8.
The second game of the day started much like the first with Indiana getting on board in the top of the first, this time with a double by Cawley to bring in Lehman.
Illinois responded in the bottom of the inning as the Illini led off the frame with a single by Allie Bauch, a triple by Gunther and a two-run homer by Rivera.
A pair of second-inning homers, including a three-run shot by Jess Perkins and a solo home run by Evans, extended the Illinois lead to 7-1.
Also like in the first game of the day, the Hoosiers weren’t finished as they began to battle back, sparked by freshman Taylor Uden’s third career home run to bring in three runs and cut the deficit to 7-4 in the fourth inning. Uden’s blast to left field scored Tsirigos, who led off the inning with a double, and Katelyn Conenna.
Indiana plated three more runs in the sixth inning to tie the game at 7-7. Uden collected her fourth and fifth RBI of the game on a single to score Kassi Farmer and Alyssa Rosati. Uden’s five RBI tied for third most in a single game in Indiana program history. A single by Blitz scored Uden to even the score.
The Illini answered with an RBI single by Annie Fleming to bring in Thomas and take back the lead.
However, Dotson smashed a solo homer in the seventh to tie the game at 8-8. Dotson’s blast left no doubt as it completely cleared Illinois’ center field scoreboard.
Bauch led off the Illini inning with a double and scored the game-winning run two batters later on a fielder’s choice from Rivera.
The two teams will play the series finale on Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. ET.
Media contact: Caitlin Davis, davis288@indiana.edu
