URBANA, Ill. – Indiana State couldn't rally back from an early six-run deficit to continue its winning streak over Big Ten Conference teams, dropping a 7-4 decision in the nightcap of a doubleheader at Illinois Wednesday evening.
 
Indiana State (11-13) continually tried to fight back, scoring two runs in the fourth and pushing another run across in the seventh, couldn't fully work back from the seven runs Illinois (18-6) scored over the first three innings. The Illini scored five of their seven runs off of three home runs.
 
But the hosts weren't the only ones to make balls leave the park. Shaye Barton hit her third home run of the season in the second inning, a solo shot over the centerfield wall. Then in the fourth inning, Barton led off with a double before Amanda Guercio's shot over the right field wall added two to the ISU tally.
 
The Sycamores threatened again in the seventh, scoring a run as Beckly Malchow raced across the plate on an Illinois error but the Illini forced the final out as ISU had the tying run at the plate.
 
Abbey Kruzel (0-3) was charged with the loss after allowing five runs on five hits in two innings while Tessa Sims allowed two runs on five hits in four innings. Emily Oestreich (4-2) claimed the win for Illinois after going 3.2 innings in relief, allowing one unearned run on two hits.
 
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Shaye Barton gets the nod in the nightcap after going 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored while hitting her third home run of the season.
 
STAT OF THE GAME
This is the second game of the season that Indiana State has hit multiple home runs in a single game. The Trees hit a pair of dingers against IUPUI on March 13 in the first game of a doubleheader.
 
PITCHERS OF RECORD

• Win: Emily Oestreich, Illinois (4-2)
• Loss: Abbey Kruzel, Indiana State (0-3)
• Save: None

RECORDS UPDATE

• Indiana State: 11-13 (3-6 Away)
• Illinois: 18-6 (2-1 Home)

NOTABLES

• The loss ends the two-game win streak the Sycamores had going against Big Ten Conference opponents.
• Indiana State falls to 2-10 all-time against Illinois.
• The four runs scored is the third-most number of runs a Sycamore team has scored on Illinois in a single game.
• This marks the first doubleheader split against Illinois in school history. The Sycamores had previously been swept in the preceding two doublehaders against Illinois.
• Shaye Barton hit her third home run of the season. That marks her sixth career home run.
• Barton tied a season-high two runs scored in the game.
• Amanda Guercio hit her first home run of the season. That marks her third career home run.

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