CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The 23rd-ranked Wisconsin softball team lost a close game Saturday afternoon, falling to Illinois 2-0. The weekend series is now tied at one game apiece after the Badgers (22-4 overall, 1-1 B1G) took game one over the Illini (19-8, 1-1).
 
Despite trailing going into the final two innings, the Badgers created opportunities late in the game. Junior Kayla Konwent singled through the right side in the sixth for a Badger base runner. Sophomore Taylor Johnson followed that up with a single of her own, but the Illini were able to get out of the inning before the Badgers could score.
 
Another great chance came in the top of the seventh inning when senior Stephanie Lombardo singled to right center, advancing to second on a fielding error. This put another UW runner in scoring position with only one out, but again the Badgers were unable to capitalize.
 
Illinois got on the board in the first inning with a double and a sacrifice bunt that put a runner on third. She scored off a wild pitch to make it a 1-0 game. The Illini scored again in the fourth inning off a bases-loaded walk.
 
Sophomore Haley Hestekin pitched all six innings for UW, tallying two key strikeouts with the bases loaded.
 

Notes to know

• Johnson led the Badgers with two hits on the day. She now has six hits against Illinois this weekend, including two home runs.
• Today's game marks the first time this season that UW has not scored a run.
• The Badgers were outhit 7-4.

 

On deck

The Badgers and Illini will go head-to-head again tomorrow for game three of the weekend series. First pitch is scheduled for noon.