COLLEGE PARK, Md.— Juli Strange went 3-for-4 with three RBIs, including a two-run home run,  as the Maryland softball team tallied eight runs in a 14-8 falter against Illinois on Saturday. Despite five lead changes, the Terps (23-18, 5-6 Big Ten) could not overcome the Illini's offense in the back-and-forth affair.

Lindsey Schmeiser led off the home first with a double, her 18th of the season, extending her hit streak to 18 straight games. Hannah Dewey followed with a walk, as both runners advanced into scoring position off a double steal. Erin Pronobis cashed in her team-leading 40th RBI of the season off a single to right to take a 1-0 lead.

Illinois responded with a run of its own in the top of the second, off a RBI single from Brittany Sanchez.

Corey Schwartz led off the bottom of the second with a single as the ensuing batter, Mandy Gardner, drew a walk. Both runners advanced into scoring position off a wild pitch as a Strange single drove in the first run of the inning. The Terps added two additional runs off a Dewey RBI single and wild pitch.

The Illini knotted the game at four with a swing of the bat, as Nicole Evans blasted a three-run home run to straight away center in the top of the third. The visitors then opened up a 7-4 lead, adding two in the fourth and one in the fifth.

Shannon Bustillos led the bottom of the fifth off with a double. The run crossed home after Kaitlyn Schmeiser hit a line drive to third. Gardner then drew her second walk of the day, when the ensuing batter, Strange, belted a two-run home run to center field. Kylie Datil then went yard back-to-back, mailing a solo shot to left center, taking an 8-7 lead into the sixth.

Illinois' bats awoke in the final two frames, as the Fighting Illini plated four in the sixth and three in the seventh, ultimately coming out with a 14-8 victory.

Dewey (4-8) picked up the loss on the mound. K. Schmeiser also saw time at pitcher, fanning four and walking one.

The two teams meet for the final game of the series on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. in the Maryland Softball Stadium.