East Peoria, Ill. - The Illinois Central College softball team stepped out of Region 24 play to take on a tough D1 Southeastern Iowa team and were defeated 16-0, 10-1 on Monday afternoon at Thome Field. The Cougars' record dropped to 23-9 while Southeastern moved to 27-11. 

GAME 1: (DI) Southeastern Iowa 16, #18 Illinois Central 0 (5 innings)
The game was tight for the first three innings as the Blackhawks took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first but then broke things open with an eight-run inning in the fourth and seven-spot in the fifth.

The Cougars had three hits for the game, highlighted by sophomore Bailey Herrick's single to right field in the second inning which marked her 100th career hit.

GAME 1 HITTING
Samantha Verstraete | 1-2
Bailey Herrick | 1-2
Kaitlyn Atkinson | 1-2

GAME 1 PITCHING
Kennedy Cleeton | 3.2 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 K
Danni Neppl | 0.2 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 K
Courtney Reglin | 5.0, 4 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 1 K

GAME 2: (DI) Southeastern 10, #18 Illinois Central 1
Southeastern took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first.

The Cougars responded in the home half as Laila Harris and Danni Neppl each had singles. Kayleigh Harr had a sacrifice bunt that advanced the runners and Samantha Verstraete's bunted was misplayed, allowing Harris to score for a 2-1 game. 

However, after the first inning it was all Blackhawks as they scored a run apiece in the second and third, added two in the fourth, and plated four runs in the fifth to end the game.

GAME 2 HITTING
Laila Harris | 1-3
Danni Neppl | 1-2
Abbie Lohman | 1-1

GAME 2 PITCHING
Bailey Herrick | 3.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 K
Samantha Verstraete | 1.2 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 5 ER
Kaitlyn Atkinson | 0.1 IP

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
Wed, April 15
at Danville Area
3pm - DH
Danville, IL