Leesburg, Fla. – Illinois softball completed a series sweep of Rutgers in their first two games of the season on Friday, winning 6-1 in Game 1 and 8-0 in Game 2. Junior pitcher Sydney Sickels pitched six scoreless innings in the first game, while junior pitcher Addy Jarvis threw five shutout innings in the nightcap. The explosive Illinois offense which put up a combined 14 runs in two games was led by junior second baseman Avrey Steiner, who went a combined 6-for-6 with three RBI's and four runs scored on the afternoon.
"Today was a total team effort," said head coach Tyra Perry. "I was proud of the business-like approach we took into both games. Sydney Sickels set the tone on the mound in Game 1 and our defense did a great job of having her back. Our offense exploded in Game 2. We had several timely hits that helped us finish on top."
GAME 1 (Illinois 6, Rutgers 1)
Center fielder Jaelyn Vickery put the Illini on the board first with an RBI single in the second inning to give Illinois a 1-0 lead. Avrey Steiner followed up with a base hit, extending the Illini lead to 2-0. Illinois would score two more runs in the bottom of the fourth on another RBI single from Steiner, scoring Kelly Ryono. Madison Demers would walk with the bases loaded, plating another run for the Illini and extending the lead to 4-0.
Steiner added her third hit of the game with a single up the middle, followed by a bunt single by Kailee Powell. Bella Loya singled to load the bases for Shelby Stauffenberg, who notched a 2 RBI single, scoring Steiner and Powell and putting Illinois ahead, 6-0 heading into the seventh.
Sydney Sickels picked up just where she left off on the mound for the Illini, throwing six innings while giving up just three hits and striking out seven. Kelsie Packard came in and shut the door in the seventh inning for the Illini, giving up one run but striking out three to end the game.
GAME 2 (Illinois 8, Rutgers 0)
The Illinois offense exploded in the second game scoring four runs on four hits in the top half of the first inning. Steiner opened the game up with a first-pitch single, followed by two more singles from Powell and Delaney Rummell to load the bases. Staufenberg would notch the first RBI of the game for the Illini on a ground out to second base, scoring Steiner. Shortstop Katie Wingerter walked to re-load the bases, allowing Ryono to pick up three RBI's on a double to right field and give the Illini a four-run lead heading into the home half of the first.
Rhein Trochim opened up the sixth inning with an infield hit and stolen base to get into scoring position for Steiner, who added her third RBI of the afternoon on a single up the middle. Powell followed up with the first home run of the season for the Illini, a two-run bomb to center field.
Addy Jarvis went five scoreless innings, giving up just two hits and striking out six. Freshman Tori McQueen came in to pitch in the bottom of the sixth, striking out one and securing the shutout win.
UP NEXT
Illinois will play Maryland in a doubleheader on Saturday, February 27, with the first game beginning at 9:20 a.m. CT.
