Sangamon Sun

The Illinois College softball team faced a challenging day in Winter Haven, Florida, during their annual spring break trip. The Lady Blues suffered two narrow 3-2 defeats against Gustavus Adolphus and Lebanon Valley on Tuesday.

In the first game, Gustavus Adolphus took an early lead with one run in the third inning and added two more in the fourth. The Lady Blues responded in the fifth inning when Raegan Rezba hit a two-run triple, narrowing the gap to one run. However, Gustavus Adolphus maintained their lead to secure the win.

Taylor Henry led Illinois College's offense with two hits. Jordan Closs pitched four innings, allowing six hits and three runs (one earned) while striking out two batters. Avery Fritz relieved Closs for the final three innings, conceding just one hit and striking out two.

In the second game against Lebanon Valley, Illinois College again fell behind early as their opponents scored twice in the second inning and once in the fourth. The Lady Blues managed to score in their half of the fifth when Rezba reached on an error that allowed Cambria Currie to cross home plate. Delaney Melton later drove Elysia Hand home with an RBI single for IC's final run.

Hand, Melton, Currie, and Kayla Serpa each contributed hits for Illinois College. Henry pitched a complete game, allowing six hits and three runs (two earned), with one strikeout.

"All four of IC's losses this season have been by one run," highlighting how close these games have been for Illinois College.

The Lady Blues will take a break on Wednesday before returning to action on Thursday against Heidelberg at 8:00 a.m. CST and Adrian at 10:15 a.m.