RALEIGH, N.C. – The Illinois softball team dropped both games on Saturday (Feb. 15) at the Big Ten/ACC Challenge at Dail Softball Stadium, falling 10-1 to Notre Dame and 7-2 to host NC State.
"Today we showed our youth in both games," said head coach Tyra Perry. "We are a much better than we played today. We will continue to work on refining our process and get back after it tomorrow."
Despite the setbacks, the Illini got a strong performance in the circle from sophomore Sydney Sickels, who struck out 13 batters against NC State to tie the program record for strikeouts in a single game. Sickels equals the mark set by Amanda Fortune against Virginia Tech on March 18, 2001.
Notre Dame 10, Illinois 1
After a leadoff home run for the Irish in the first at-bat of the game, the Illini (4-3) tied things up on an RBI fielder's choice from junior Shelby Stauffenberg in the fourth frame.
The Irish (6-2) answered back quickly with a grand slam in the fifth for a 5-1 edge, before five-inning seventh inning sealed the 10-1 setback.
Sophomore Addy Jarvis (1-1) started and went six innings, allowing seven runs on six hits and four walks, while striking out one. Freshman Taylor Murray (0.2 IP, 3 R, 3 H, 3 BB) and Morgan Scivally (0.1 IP) also saw action in the seventh inning.
UI registered seven hits and one error, with junior Rhein Trochim going 2-for-3 at the plate and Steiner adding a double and a run.
NC State 7, Illinois 2
Freshman Delaney Rummell got the Illini off to a fast start in the day's second game as the Gilberts, Ill., native powered her first career home run to right center for an early 1-0 lead.
The Wolfpack (5-3) came back with a solo shot of their own, followed by an RBI double in the bottom half of the first to take a 2-1 advantage. From there, the home team added a run in the second, before scoring four unearned runs in the fourth. Rummell then added another solo homer in the sixth for the 7-2 final.
Sickels (2-2) threw all six frames, giving up seven runs – with only three earned – on six hits and four walks to go along with her 13 strikeouts.
Both teams notched six hits on the night, but the Illini suffered three errors to NCSU's one. Rummell went 2-for-4 with two runs and two hits to lead offense.
Next Up
The Illini wrap up action at the Big Ten/ACC Challenge on Sunday (Feb. 15), taking on the Wolfpack for the second time at 11:30 a.m. CT.
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