URBANA, Ill.– Illinois softball concluded its non-conference slate with a 5-0 triumph over DePaul at Eichelberger Field on Tuesday night.
The Fighting Illini improved to 28-21 on the year with the win while DePaul fell to 12-28 following the loss.
Addy Jarvis started in the circle for Illinois, going two shutout innings while giving up two hits and striking out two. Sydney Sickels picked up the win out of the bullpen and went three shutout innings, allowing two hits, walking one while fanning four batters. Lauren Wiles went 2.0 innings in relief, facing nine batters.
Offensively, the Fighting Illini were paced by Kelly Ryono, who went 2-for-2 on the day with a pair of solo home runs and a walk. Delaney Rummell put together a standout day at the dish as well, going 1-for-3 with a home run and three RBI. Abby Ryniec added two hits in two trips to the plate.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Illinois got on the board in the first with a solo home run from Ryono. The Huntington Beach, Calif., native swung on the first pitch she saw, giving the Fighting Illini the early 1-0 edge.
After a scoreless second for both teams, Ryono logged her second solo homer of the game, extending the 2-0 advantage. Rummell followed the senior with a long ball of her own, this time a three-run dinger, to put the Orange and Blue ahead, 5-0.
The Illini pitching staff allowed just two hits by the Blue Demons following the scoring rally. Sickels fanned four batters in the process, helping Illinois blank DePaul, 5-0.
NOTES
» The Fighting Illini moved to 17-3 when scoring in the first.
» The Illini jumped to 24-6 when scoring first.
» The Fighting Illini wore navy jerseys, moving to 6-5 when wearing those.
» Sickels earned her 700th career strikeout and moved to 13-9 on the season
» Ryono's two home runs was a single-game career high for the senior.
» The Fighting Illini out-hit the Blue Demons at a 10-4 clip.
UP NEXT
Illinois hits the road for a Big Ten series at Penn State from April 28-30. First pitch from Friday's series opener is slated for 4 p.m. CT.
