The Illinois College Lady Blues softball team split two games during their annual Florida trip at the Legends Way Complex in Clearmont, Florida, on Thursday. The team defeated Adrian College 10-8 in the first game but lost to Bethany Lutheran 5-3 in the second.
With these results, the Lady Blues’ season record stands at 6-6.
In the opening game against Adrian, Illinois College overcame an early five-run deficit. Adrian led 5-0 after three innings before Illinois College tied the game in the fourth inning. Brooke Loveall hit a two-run triple and Raegan Rezba contributed a two-run single. Elysia Hand gave Illinois College its first lead with an RBI groundout.
Adrian responded by tying the game in the fifth inning, but Illinois College scored six runs in the top of the sixth to secure a lead they maintained for the rest of the contest. Gabby Miller, Alivia Darbe, and Kendall Cole each drove in runs during that inning.
Miller and Loveall both had two hits for Illinois College. Avery Fritz earned the win in relief of starter Jordan Closs, pitching four innings and allowing five hits and three unearned runs while striking out two batters.
In their second game against Bethany Lutheran, Illinois College fell behind early as Bethany Lutheran took a 4-0 lead after two innings. The Lady Blues narrowed the gap to 4-3 in their half of the third inning with consecutive RBI triples from Darbe and Hand, followed by a sacrifice fly from Shelby Seiler.
Bethany Lutheran added two more runs in the fourth inning to close out their victory.
Darbe and Cambria Currie each collected two hits for Illinois College. Currie pitched five innings, giving up eight hits and five runs (three earned) with four strikeouts. Fritz finished on the mound for Illinois College, allowing one hit and recording one strikeout over two innings.
Illinois College Lady Blues Softball competes as part of NCAA Division III within the Midwest Conference (official website). The program is based in Jacksonville, Illinois (official website) and hosts home games at Jessica Kamp Softball Field, which features a resurfaced infield designed to improve drainage (official website).
The Lady Blues will conclude their Florida schedule tomorrow with games against Simmons at 9:00 a.m. CST and Alvernia at 1:30 p.m. CST.
