Canton, Ill. -   Despite taking early leads in both games, the Illinois Central College softball team dropped a double-header to #16 Spoon River by scores of 4-2 and 3-2 on Wednesday afternoon.  The Cougars' record is now 18-18 as they will host Sophomore Day on Thursday, April 25 against Lincoln Land in a 3pm double-header at Thome Field and recognize Marley Williamson, Hanna Evans, Madi Kessler, Gracie White, Kylie Hyde, and Shylar Boze for their efforts in the program.  

Game 1:  Spoon River 4, Illinois Central 2
The Cougars gof off to a fantastic start, scoring two runs in the top of the second as Marlee Brown led off the inning with a solo home run to center field.  Nivarra Oredina then singled to center and Broghan Hall laced a double to left field to put runners on second and third with no outs.  After a strikeout, the Cougars scratched a run on the next play courtesy of a passed ball, as Oredina touched home plate for a 2-0 ICC lead.  Kylie Hyde then singled on a 2-2 pitch to put runners on the corners with one out, but unfortunately SRC ended the Cougar rally with an inning-ending double play to stay within striking distance.

Starting pitcher Broghan Hall ran into trouble in the bottom of the third after a Snapper walk, stolen base, and RBI single with no outs.  Hall wiggled out of the inning as the Cougars recorded three straight outs (two fly outs and a well-played grounder by Oredina) to keep a 2-1 lead.

Spoon River got their go-ahead runs in the bottom the fourth with back-to-back doubles and another single to take the lead at 3-2.  

The Cougars did not go down without a fight as Marley Williamson and Shylar Boze each singled in the top of the sixth but they were left stranded.  The Snappers added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth for the final margin.  

COUGAR HITTING
Broghan Hall | 1-3, double
Marlee Brown | 1-3, home run, RBI

COUGAR PITCHING
Broghan Hall | 5.1 IP, 1 K
Addison Church | .2 IP

Game 2:  Spoon River 3, Illinois Central 2
ICC played well enough to win but SRC scored late to sneak away with the victory.  The Cougars again struck first getting a run in the first inning as Marley Williamson walked and advanced to second on a base hit by Shylar Boze.  Williamson then stole third and scored on a Marlee Brown sacrifice fly while Boze stayed at second.  The Cougars looked for more, but they could not get Boze in and settled for a 1-0 lead.

The lead was short-lived as the Snappers answered with two runs in the bottom of first on a walk, two errors, and a base hit to go up 2-1. 

In the top of the fifth, Kylie Hyde reached on an error and advanced to second on a Madi Kessler sacrifice bunt.  Williamson then doubled into the gap in center field to knot the score at 2-all.

Spoon River manufactured two walks and a single into a run in the bottom of the sixth to take the lead and the game.  Kessler had a two-out single in the top of the seventh but to no avail.
  
COUGAR HITTING
Gracie White | 1-4, double
Marley Williamson | 1-3, RBI, double
Shylar Boze | 1-3
Graci Guenther | 1-3

COUGAR PITCHING
Marlee Brown | 6 IP, 3 H, 4 K

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
SOPHOMORE DAY - Thursday, April 25 
Home vs. Lincoln Land, 3pm DH
Thome Field, East Peoria, IL