CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Sydney Sickels dominated on Saturday, fanning a program-record 21 batters over nine innings of work to help power Illinois over Fordham 6-4.
With her 21 strikeouts, Sickels brought her career total to 594, passing Pepper Gay as the programs all-time strikeouts leader
Sydney Malott delivered the deciding blow, a two-run dinger to give the Illini to go-ahead lead. The freshman finished the game with three RBI. Kelly Ryono put together a standout performance at the dish as well, going 2-for-4 with two RBI. Brianna Nykaza also chipped in, going 2-for-3 for Illinois with two doubles.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Fighting Illini fell behind early as Fordham (1-3) plated a run with a single in the opening frame.
After three scoreless innings by both teams, Nykaza started a rally in the fifth with a leadoff double. Malott brought the runner home in the inning, tying the game and one-run apiece.
The Rams broke the tie and re-took the lead with a solo blast in the bottom of the sixth, leaving the Illini with just three outs remaining. Delaney Rummell reached on an error before pinch runner Alaina Miller came across to score on a passed ball for the lone run of the inning for Illinois, evening the score once more.
Extra innings followed with a 4-2 Illinois advantage in the eighth following a Ryono single that plated a pair. The Rams however evened up the game with another two-run shot, sending the game to the ninth.
Malott gave the Orange and Blue another two-run edge following a dinger over the left-field fence. Looking to close out the victory, Sickels stuck out the side, ending the extra-inning thriller.
GAME NOTES
» Sickels struck out 21 hitters, for a new program record. She previously owned the record after throwing a 16-strikeout no hitter against Western Illinois on Feb. 19, 2022.
» The right-hander threw a complete game, allowing four runs on five hits.
» Illinois pitchers limited Fordham to just 2-for-11 (.182) with runners in scoring position.
