University of Illinois
Nebraska
Illinois Travels to Nebraska for Weekend Road Series
April 8, 2021 | Softball
Preview
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Illinois softball heads to Lincoln, Nebraska this weekend (April 9-11) for a four-game series with the Huskers. The Illini are back on the road for the second consecutive weekend following a 3-1 series win at Wisconsin last weekend. All of the games this weekend will be live streamed on BTN+, with the first game of the series beginning Friday, April 9 at 5:30 pm CT.
| Illinois (14-6) at Nebraska (11-9) | |
|---|---|
| When | Friday, April 9 - Sunday, April 11 |
| Where | Lincoln, Nebraska |
| Live Video | BTN + |
| Live Stats | Live Stats |
| 2021 Stats | Illinois Stats |
| Social Media | @IlliniSB  | #Illini | Facebook  | @IlliniSB  | YouTube  |
NOTES
• The Illini travel to Lincoln, Nebraska for a four-game series with the Huskers on April 9-11. Illinois is 14-6 on the season, and Nebraska is 11-9.
• This weekend's series against the Huskers will be the second road series of the season. The Illini went 3-1 at Wisconsin last weekend.
• Through the first two weekends in Leesburg, Florida, the Illini led the conference in both ERA (0.84) and batting average (.300). The 0.84 team ERA also led the nation through the first 12 games played.
• Illinois is ranked fourth in the Big Ten conference standings, while Nebraska is ranked 7th.
• Illini second baseman Avrey Steiner leads the team in batting average (.425) and hits (31). Her .425 batting average ranks fourth in the Big Ten among qualified hitters, and her 31 hits leads the conference.
• Illini Utility Kailee Powell leads the team in RBI (15), slugging percentage (.678), on base percentage (.493) and doubles (6). Her .407 batting average ranks fifth in the conference among qualified hitters, just behind Steiner.
• The Illini have three hitters in the top-10 in the confernece in batting average, with Steiner (.425), Powell (.407), and Vickery (.389).
• Junior pitcher Sydney Sickels is second in the conference in ERA with a 0.68. Sickels is also second in the conference in strikeouts with 89.
• Sydney Sickels recorded the 14th no-hitter in program history against Penn State on March 13 after an official stat change. Sickels also pitched game one against the Nittany Lions, throwing a complete game one-hitter and taking a perfect game into the 7th inning. She struck out 10 in each start against Penn State.
• Sickels earned Big Ten Pitcher of the Week honors for the second time this season following another impressive performance at Wisconsin last weekend. The junior pitched 14.0 innings, picking up two complete game shutout wins and striking out 24 while giving up just six hits.
UP NEXT
Following this weekend's series at Nebraska, the Illini return to Eichelberger Field for a four-game series (April 16-18) against Purdue.
