FULLERTON, Calif. – Sophomore Addy Jarvis' one-hitter against Colorado State highlighted day two of the Judi Garman Classic as the Illinois softball team split its games on Friday (Feb. 28), earning a 5-0 victory over CSU, before falling 3-2 to Fresno State at the Anderson Family Field No. 2.
"We showed up ready to battle today and we gave ourselves a chance at two wins," said head coach Tyra Perry. "Addy Jarvis did an excellent job of keeping the Colorado State batters off balance. Our bats were hot and we were able to execute our game plan at a high level. We were a play or two away from taking the Fresno State game. We have been on the wrong side of several one-run games this season, but I believe those days are limited as we continue to grow as a team."
Illinois 5, Colorado State 0
The Illini (8-8) jumped out to an early 2-0 advantage with a pair of runs in the second frame on an RBI fielder's choice from junior Rhein Trochim and an RBI single from sophomore Avrey Steiner. Junior Bella Loya then added to the lead with a solo home run – her second of the season – in the third.
Freshman Delaney Rummell added two more insurance runs on a two-run homer – her team leading fourth of the season – in the fifth as the Illini went on for the 5-0 victory.
Jarvis (4-3) had a magnificent outing in the circle as she threw a one-hitter against the Rams (9-7) – with that one knock coming in the seventh inning – while striking out six in the complete game win.
The Illini totaled five hits in the outing, with Steiner going 2-for-4 with an RBI to lead UI at the plate.
Fresno State 3, Illinois 2
Junior Shelby Stauffenberg got the Illini going in the second game with a solo dinger to left center in the second inning, but the Bulldogs (14-3) answered back with their own two-run home run in the third to pull ahead at 2-1.
The Illini tied things up the fifth as Steiner led off with a double, before she was brought home on a Rummell RBI sacrifice fly.
Heading into the bottom of the sixth with the score still tied 2-2, FSU put runners at first and second with a single advancing the runners, before an errant Illini throw brought in the go-ahead score.
Both teams posted six hits, but the Illini were hindered by three errors to the Bulldogs' one. Stauffenberg went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run to pace the offense.
Sophomore Sydney Sickes (3-5) allowed three runs – only two earned – on six hits and three walks, while registering her second double-digit strikeout outing after sitting down 10 batters in the complete game.
Next Up
The Illini finish up play at Judi Garman Classic on Saturday (Feb. 29) as they take on host Cal State Fullerton at 9:30 p.m. CT in Anderson Family Field.
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