URBANA, Ill. -Â After playing just two games at Eichelberger Field so far this season, the Fighting Illini softball team made quick work of the SIUE, defeating the Cougars 8-0 in five innings.
Illinois scored six in the first and two in the second while senior Sydney Sickels tossed all five innings, allowing no runs and just two hits while striking out nine batters. At the plate, junior Kelly Ryono had a two-for-three day with three RBI and her third home run of the season, a two-run shot in the second inning. Freshman Paige Berkmeyer also helped surge the Illini offense, adding a bases-clearing double in the first, while sophomore Megan Ward and freshman Zoe Caryl added RBI's on the evening and senior Avrey Steiner added another two hits.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Sickels started the game sitting down the first three batters, including two via strikeout. In the bottom of the second, Illinois' offense exploded for six runs, all with two outs in the inning. Ryono got the Illini on the board first, knocking in Steiner with a single, and the Illini loaded the bases after a Delaney Rummell walk and Kailee Powell was hit by a pitch. Berkmeyer then cleared the bases, smashing a three-RBI double to left-center field. Berkmeyer then came around to score after a throwing error by the third baseman allowed her to grab home plate, extending the Illinois lead to 6-0 after just one inning.
Another 1-2-3 inning for Sickels in the circle in the top of the second allowed the Illini offense to add to their lead. After Stevie Meade walked, Ryono stepped up to the plate and launched a two-run home run over the center field fence to move the score to 8-0 after two innings. Two walks in the top of the third had the Cougars threatening to score, but Sickels induced a foul out to third to preserve the shutout.
In the fourth, SIUE had runners on first and third with one out, but after Caryl threw out the runner at first, freshman Macy Krohman tossed the ball across the field to nab the runner on third to get the Illini out of a jam. Sickels then made quick work of the Cougars in the top of the fifth, striking out the side to secure the 8-0 run-rule victory.
UP NEXT
Illinois will face one more midweek test this week, heading to Illinois State on Wednesday (April 6) evening to take on the Redbirds. First pitch is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. CT and will be streamed live on ESPN+. Fans can also find Fighting Illini softball on the radio for the first time this season, as the game will be carried on WDWS-1400 AM with Scott Beatty on the call.
