CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Illinois softball hosts Ohio State this weekend (Friday, May 7 (DH) and Saturday, May 8 (DH) for a four-game series with the Buckeyes. The Illini return home to Eichelberger Field following last weekend's series at Northwestern, where the Orange and Blue split with the Wildcats. All of the games this weekend will be streamed on BTN+, and the first game of Saturday's doubleheader will be on Big Ten Network.
Note: A limited number of families and approved guests will be allowed at home games. Consistent with Champaign County public health guidelines on social distancing at outdoor events, no general public admission will be permitted at this time. The current policy will continue to be evaluated as the spring season goes along.
NOTES
• The Illini host Ohio State at Eichelberger Field for the final home series of the season. Illinois is 22-14 on the season, while Ohio State is 18-17.
• The Illini are fourth in the Big Ten Conference standings, while the Buckeyes are eighth.
• The Illini are coming off a road series at Northwestern where they split with the Wildcats, going 2-2 on the weekend.
• Illinois is second in the conference in batting average (.287), while Ohio State is fourth (.269). The Illini and the Buckeyes are also both top four in the B1G in hits.
• Illini second baseman Avrey Steiner ranks third in the Big Ten in hits with 46, and sixth in batting average (.354).
• Third baseman Delaney Rummell leads the Illini in doubles (12) and RBI (28). Her 12 doubles and 28 RBIs rank fourth in the conference.
• Pitcher Sydney Sickels is t-3rd in the conference in wins with 13, and is fourth in strikeouts (141). She is also second in complete games with 12.
• Sydney Sickels threw 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.
• Sydney Sickels earned Big Ten Pitcher of the Week honors for the second time this season following two impressive performances at Wisconsin (4/2 & 4/4). The junior pitched 14.0 innings, picking up two complete game shutout wins and striking out 24 while giving up just six hits.
• Delaney Rummell earned NFCA Player of the Week and B1G Co-Player of the Week on April 20.
UP NEXT
Following this weekend's series against Ohio State, the Illini travel to Iowa City, Iowa to take on the Hawkeyes in the final four-game series of the season (May 14-16).
