URBANA, Ill. – Illinois split Saturday's doubleheader with Ohio State, taking game one 7-2, but falling in game two, 2-1. The Illini wrapped up their final home series of the season and celebrated the four seniors on the 2021 squad following game two with Ohio State. Rhein Trochim, Shelby Stauffenberg, Bella Loya, and Katie Wingerter were all recognized for their contributions to the Illini softball program over the last four seasons.
GAME ONE (Illinois 7, Ohio State 2)
Ohio State got on the board first with a sacrifice fly in the top of the second inning, scoring one run to take a 1-0 lead heading into the home half of the second. The Illini were able to get runners in scoring position in each of the first three innings, and capitalized with a two-out, two-run homer by Jaelyn Vickery in the third inning to take a 2-1 lead into the fourth.
The Illini offense broke out in the fourth inning, adding four more runs to take a 6-1 lead into the fifth. Kailee Powell was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to push a run across, followed by a two-RBI single by Delaney Rummell. Vickery followed with an RBI single, her third run driven in of the game to extend the Illini lead.
Illinois added one more in the sixth inning and Ohio State responded with a solo shot in the seventh, but Sydney Sickels held on to the 7-2 lead to earn her 14th win of the season. Sickels, who notched her 21st start of the season, struck out three while allowing seven hits and two runs. She improves to 14-5 on the season after earning the win and throwing her 13th complete game of the season.
Jaelyn Vickery powered the Illini to a win in game one, notching her second home run of the season and picking up four of the team's seven RBI's in the game.
GAME TWO (Ohio State 2, Illinois 1)
Kelly Ryono opened up the scoring in game two with her first career home run, a solo shot to left field to give the Orange and Blue a one run lead. The low-scoring pitcher's duel remained 1-0 until the top of the sixth, when the Buckeyes took the lead on a two-run home run to take a 2-1 edge over the Illini.
Illinois put the go ahead run at first and the tying run at third with two outs in the bottom of the seventh on a single by Shelby Stauffenberg, but were unable to push the tying run across as the Illini dropped game two of Saturday's doubleheader, 2-1.
Addy Jarvis was impressive in the circle, giving up just four hits and two earned runs while striking out three. She falls to 6-7 overall on the season.
UP NEXT
The Illini are on the road for the final Big Ten series of the season, taking on Iowa in Iowa City next weekend. Game one on Friday, May 14 will begin at 7 pm CT and will be live on the Big Ten Network.
