MOBILE, Ala. – The No. 25 Illinois softball team opened the Mardi Gras Invitational with a bang as the Illini dominated host South Alabama, 11-2, on a foggy Friday (Feb. 22) night at Jaguar Field.
Originally scheduled to plays two games on the opening day of the tournament, rain forced the cancellation of the Illini's first game of the day against Hofstra and pushed the South Alabama contest back an hour and a half.
Sophomore Bella Loya was dominate against the Jaguars (5-6) with a 4-for-4 performance that included two singles, a double and a home run, as well as two runs scored and four RBI. Redshirt-senior Carly Thomas added two hits and three runs for the Illini (8-2).
"Today was a long day due to the elements but I thought we came out swinging against a well-coached South Alabama team," said head coach Tyra Perry. "Bella Loya continues to set the standard at the plate. Sydney Sickels was in control on the mound through six innings and I was proud of that way Danielle Brochu came in a closed out the seventh for us."
After a leadoff walk in the opening inning from senior Kiana Sherlund, Loya put the Illini ahead with an RBI single to centerfield for the early 1-0 lead.
The Jaguars answered back with a run in the bottom of the second to tie things up, but the Illini responded with a five-run third frame as three bases-loaded walks plus a pair of RBI singles from Loya and sophomore Rhein Trochim gave UI the 6-1 advantage.
The Illini added to their edge with a pair of runs in the fourth, including an RBI double to left field for Loya's third hit of the name and a wild pitch to plate freshman Danielle Davis, as well as another bases-loaded walk in the fifth to push ahead at 9-1.
USA extended the game by scratching a run across in the bottom of the fifth, but the Illini shut the door with two runs in the seventh – highlighted by Loya's team-leading sixth home run of the season – for the 11-2 final.
Freshman Sydney Sickels (5-1) earned the win after allowing just two earned runs on six hits and three walks and striking out six in 6.0 innings. Senior Danielle Brochu entered in the seventh and struck out two en route to a scoreless final inning.
The Illini totaled 10 hits on the night, while the Jaguars registered six hits and an error.
Next Up
The Illini continues play at the Mardi Gras Invitational with a pair of games on Saturday (Feb. 23), facing off against Nicholls State at 11:15 a.m. CT and Stephen F. Austin at 3:45 p.m.
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