URBANA, Ill. – The Fighting Illini took the first game of this weekend's series against Purdue on Friday night, 9-3. Illinois was led by Delaney Rummell and Bella Loya at the plate, who went a combined 6-for-7 with seven of the Illini's nine RBIs. Illinois is now 16-9 on the season following Friday's victory.

In the bottom of the first inning, the Illini jumped out to a 1-0 lead as Bella Loya hit a solo home run to centerfield, her second of the season. The Illini added four more runs in the bottom of the third to take a 5-0 lead as Delaney Rummell picked up a two-RBI double followed by a pair of hit batters.

Bella Loya hit her first triple of the season in the bottom of the fourth down the right field line to score Kailee Powell, and Delaney Rummell followed with a sacrifice fly to centerfield, her third RBI of the afternoon to give Illinois a 7-0 lead. After a three-run inning by Purdue in the top of the sixth, the Illini would plate another two runs on Rummell's second two-RBI double of the game, which scored Jaelyn Vickery and pinch runner Miranda Gallardo.

Kailee Powell went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, while Jaelyn Vickery also notched a two-hit game, going 2-for-4. Delaney Rummell went 3-for-3 with a career-high five RBI's in the win. Bella Loya went 3-for-4 with 2 RBI and was just a double shy of hitting for the cycle. 

Sydney Sickels was dominant in the circle in Friday evening's win, throwing 6.0 innings while striking out seven, giving up just three hits and one earned run. Morgan Scivally entered for Sickels in the seventh, recording a 1-2-3 inning to secure the win for the Illini.

UP NEXT

The Illini are back at Eichelberger Field tomorrow, April 17 for a doubleheader against the Boilermakers. Game one of the doubleheader will begin at 1 pm CT and will be live streamed on BTN+.