VERMILLION, S.D. – Western Illinois dropped a close, 2-0 contest on Saturday (April 12) to South Dakota. The Leathernecks are now 18-19-1 overall and 4-8 in Summit League play.

"Defensively we played a solid game and Hailey pitched well, we just needed to come through with clutch hits," said head coach Holly Van Vlymen. "I think their pitcher kept us off balance and give her credit for that. The players they know they have what it takes to be as successful as they want to be. Early in the season we had that and a season has ups and downs and we're in a down. It just means we can only go up and when we go up it's going to be at the right time."

South Dakota took advantage of a 2-out walk with a double to right to take a 1-0 lead after the first inning and doubled its advantage in the second on a pair of base hits to take a 2-0 lead after two innings of play.

Western had a chance to cut into the lead in the 3rd, but a nice defensive play kept the Leathernecks off the board.

USD loaded the bases in the sixth inning forcing Hailey Bickford out of the game. With nobody out, Briana Williams snagged a line drive in center and doubled off the runner at second before Walsh forced a ground ball to end the inning.

The Leathernecks could not mount a comeback in the seventh, falling 2-0 in the series finale.

Williams stole her 73rd career base in the loss, one short of Stef Ryan for second all-time in Western Illinois history. Bickford pitched six innings, allowing two runs on five hits, striking out a pair and walking a pair.

Western has a week off before returning to the diamond on Tuesday (April 22) at home against Valparaiso. First pitch for the doubleheader is scheduled for 3 p.m.

"The break couldn't come at a better time," Van Vlymen said. We have a lot to work on at practice and we'll give them some days off but when we get back to practice we're going to continue to work hard."