CLEARWATER, Fla. – For the first time since 2017 and for the sixth time in program history, the Illinois softball team opened its season with four-straight wins as the Illini capped an undefeated weekend with a 2-0 shutout victory over No. 23 Auburn in the finale of the NFCA Leadoff Classic Presented by Rawlings on Sunday (Feb. 9) at the Eddie C. Moore Complex.
"I was really proud of how we approached each of our games this weekend," said head coach Tyra Perry. "We showed a ton of poise when it really counted. Sydney Sickels was tough on the mound. We will continue hard to get better. We are obviously really excited about the weekend and we are looking to improve on it."
The Illini were one of four teams to finish the weekend undefeated and were named tournament runner-up after Mississippi State claimed the tournament championship due to run differential. Sophomore Sydney Sickels was named to the All-Tournament Team after going 2-0 with two saves and a 0.00 ERA in 15.2 innings. Sickels saw action in all four games for the Illini and totaled 14 strikeouts.
It was a scoreless game until the bottom of the fourth frame when junior Shelby Stauffenberg broke the tie on a double down the left field line to score sophomore Avrey Steiner. Sophomore Kailee Powell then followed that up with a big insurance run on an RBI single to left field in the fifth for the 2-0 advantage.
Sickels (2-0) was impressive in the circle as she allowed just two hits and two walks, while striking out seven in a complete game win.
Both teams totaled just two hits each, with Auburn (3-2) committing three errors and the Illini registering one miscue.
Next Up
The Illini next travel to Raleigh, N.C., for the Big Ten/ACC Challenge, hosted by N.C. State on Feb. 14-16, with UI taking on the host Wolfpack and Notra Dame twice each on the weekend.
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