Box Score 1 MACOMB, IL - Western Illinois softball split a pair of games Sunday at The Dome in Rosemont, IL.
Game 1: DePaul 8, Western Illinois 2
DePaul built an early advantage in the opener, scoring three runs in the first inning and adding three more in the second. Western Illinois responded in the second when Addie McLaughlin drew a bases-loaded walk to bring home Maria Luna, then added another run in the third on an RBI groundout by Hannah Simpson that scored Sophia Sanchez.
The Blue Demons extended their lead with two runs in the third inning and went on to claim the 8-2 win. Western Illinois finished with seven hits, highlighted by a 2-for-2 performance from Angie Ortiz. Lillie Wools was steady in relief, tossing three scoreless innings to close the contest.
Game 2: Western Illinois 9, Detroit Mercy 8
Western Illinois put together a resilient comeback in the nightcap, erasing an eight-run deficit to defeat Detroit Mercy 9-8.
After Detroit Mercy built an 8-0 lead through five innings, the Leathernecks began their rally with two runs in the bottom of the fifth and added three more in the sixth to cut the deficit to 8-5 heading into the seventh.
Western Illinois completed the comeback in the final inning. Payton Brown opened the frame with a single, followed by a base hit from Kam Utendorf. Sophia Sanchez was hit by a pitch to load the bases before Raegan Boone drove in a run on a groundout to shortstop. Ruby Tarr followed with a clutch single up the middle to score Utendorf and Kennedy Highley, who pinch ran for Sanchez, and advanced to second on the throw home. Maria Luna and Angie Ortiz drew back-to-back walks to reload the bases, setting up Alijah Williams, who delivered the walk-off single up the middle to score Tarr.
The Leathernecks closed the day with momentum after completing the late rally to earn the split in Rosemont.
FOLLOW THE LEATHERNECKS
For all the latest information on Leatherneck Softball, please visit GoLeathernecks.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Leathernecks on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
