By Daniel Chavkin

The Maryland softball team lost to Illinois Sunday 5-3 in the final game of a three game set. The loss was a third straight to this Illinois team as the Fighting Illini completed the sweep.

Sophomore Brenna Nation started the game for the Terps but had a difficult time completing the first inning. She allowed four straight hits and four runs without letting up an out when she was replaced by sophomore Hannah Dewey. Maryland was down 4-0 before they had a chance to bat.

After Illinois added another run, junior Lindsey Schmeiser put the Terps on the board with ah solo home run. Down 5-2 in the seventh inning, Dewey hit a two-run double to cut the lead to one. However, with the tying run on second in the final inning, Illinois was able to escape with the victory.

Illinois sophomore pitcher Jane Vecvanags was the star for her team as she pitched a complete game and got the victory.  As for Maryland, Nation’s rough start was too tough to come back from. Dewey and senior Kaitlyn Schmeiser were able to combine for seven innings of one run softball in relief of Nation. Lindsey Schmeiser and Hannah Dewey each had two RBIs on the day as well.

Maryland takes on Penn State this weekend in College Park for a three game series.