Waco, Texas – Behind another strong outing in the circle from sophomore Sydney Sickels and a clutch hit from junior Bella Loya, the Illinois softball team earned a 1-0 win over Tulsa on Saturday (Feb. 22) at the Baylor Invitational in Getterman Stadium.
Pitching and defense kept both teams off the scoreboard until the fourth inning when freshman Delaney Rummell reached on a walk and was then brought home on an RBI double to right field from Loya.
A leadoff double combined with a sacrifice bunt from the Hurricanes pushed the tying run to third base with just one out in the seventh, but Sickels and the Illini (7-4) held tough with back-to-back outs to secure the victory.
Sickels (3-3) earned the complete game win after allowing just three hits and a walk and striking out one in seven innings of work.
Next Up
The Illini wrap up play at the Baylor Invitational as they face off against the host Bears for the second time this weekend on Sunday (Feb. 23) at 11 a.m. CT.
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