Sangamon Sun

The Illinois College softball team split a doubleheader against the 15th-ranked Central team at Jessica Kamp Field on Saturday. The Lady Blues claimed a 9-7 victory in the first game but fell 9-0 in the second.

In the opening game, Illinois College (IC) secured a win with a dramatic finish, scoring three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Pinch hitter Halie Williams delivered a decisive three-run single. IC rallied multiple times throughout the game. Brooke Loveall contributed with a two-run home run in the sixth inning and had two hits along with Cambria Currie, who scored three runs. Currie also pitched in relief to earn her first collegiate victory after Jordan Closs started and recorded five strikeouts.

In the second game, Central quickly took control with a six-run lead after the first inning and added three more runs in the fourth to secure their win. Loveall managed to record IC's only two hits during this game. Taylor Henry pitched 4 2/3 innings without allowing an earned run after Avery Fritz took the loss.

Illinois College's overall record now stands at 8-8, while Central improved to 7-3. Due to a postponed doubleheader against Eureka, IC will next play at home against Illinois Wesleyan on Wednesday at Jessica Kamp Field.