HOUSTON, Texas – An 11-inning contest ended in a walk-off win for Illinois softball as the Fighting Illini took down Pitt, 2-1, in the Houston Tournament finale at the Cougar Softball Stadium.
Sydney Sickels went 11 innings, giving up one run on four hits and walking two for Illinois (9-5). The fifth year remained undefeated on the year, improving to 6-0 on the season with the extra-inning triumph.
Kelly Ryono tallied the game-winning hit, putting together a standout performance, going 2-for-5 with a double and two RBI. Avrey Steiner shined as she went 2-for-5 on the day with a double and a triple.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Fighting Illini got on the board in the bottom the first inning with Steiner opening the contest with a double. Illinois got on the board thanks to Ryono's RBI double, taking an early 1-0 lead.
After a scoreless second, Pitt (10-4) rallied to tie the ballgame with a solo home run. Following the homer, Sickels allowed just one hit to the Panther offense for the remainder of the game.
A back-and-forth battle ensued with neither team able to plate a run during the allotted seven innings. In the bottom of the 11th, the Illini found themselves with the bases loaded and two away. Ryono sent a single down the right-field line, plating the final run of the game, giving the Orange and Blue the 2-1 walk-off win.
Illinois returns to action when the Fighting Illini face off against North Carolina A&T at 11 a.m. CT on Friday in the South Carolina tournament opener.
GAME NOTES
» The Fighting Illini out-hit the Panthers at a 7-4 clip.
» Sickels limited Pitt to just 1-for-11 (.091) with runners in scoring position.
» The Illini wore white jerseys, moving to 2-1 while wearing those.
» Illinois is now 4-1 against ACC opponents
» The Orange and Blue improved to 7-2 against Pitt
» The 11-inning affair was the third of the season and the third with Sickels in the circle.
» Illinois went 4-1 at the Houston Tournament
