CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – After a dominating weekend in the circle, sophomore Sydney Sickels earned the season's first Big Ten Pitcher of the Week honor, the conference announced on Monday (Feb. 10).

Sickels led Illinois to an undefeated record in the NFCA Leadoff Classic Presented by Rawlings and was named to the All-Tournament Team after going 2-0 with two saves and posting a 0.00 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 15.2 innings.

The Indianola, Iowa native opened her season by allowing just two hits and striking out three in six innings of work in an 8-2 win over Liberty on Friday. On Saturday, the sophomore picked up back-to-back saves after not allowing a hit in 1.1 innings of work against both No. 21 Ole Miss and South Alabama. She then finished up the tournament with an impressive outing in the circle against No. 23 Auburn as she allowed just two hits and two walks, while striking out seven in a complete game win.

Sickels and the Illini next travel to Raleigh, N.C., for the Big Ten/ACC Challenge, hosted by N.C. State on Feb. 14-16.

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