[12] Fighting Illini Softball Falls in Big Ten Tournament Tilt to [4] Nebraska

URBANA, Ill. -- [12] Illinois' Big Ten Softball Tournament run came to a close in the quarterfinals, with the Illini falling to [4] Nebraska, 1-0, at Eichelberger Field on Thursday night.

The loss moved Illinois' record to 29-27 on the year, while the Cornhuskers improved to 34-19 and sent Nebraska into the tournament semifinals.

After going 5.1 innings and earning their sixth win of the season on Wednesday night, Addy Jarvis earned the start on Thursday, allowing one run and three hits over four innings of work. 

Sydney Sickels made their first appearance of the tournament in the fifth, giving up zero runs and zero hits in their one inning in relief. Tori McQueen sent down Nebraska hitters in order in their inning of work in the sixth.

Kelly Ryono registered a team-high two hits in the loss, while Gabi Robles also recorded a base knock.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Nebraska opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning with an RBI single, putting the Huskers ahead early.

A diving catch from Gabi Robles in center field ended the second inning, and neither team manufactured a run in the third.

The Illini got two runners on base in the top of the fourth, but they could not score, and Jarvis sent the Huskers down in order in the bottom half of the frame.

With two runners on in the bottom of the fifth, Sickels entered the ballgame with no outs and forced a pop out and a double play to shut down the Nebraska threat.

Both teams went down in order in the sixth inning, and the Illini could not push a run across in the seventh in the one-run loss.

GAME NOTES

» Illinois wore white jerseys, moving to 7-7 while donning those.
» The Illini fell to 5-20 when allowing the opposition to score first.
» When allowing their opponent to score in the first, Illinois is now 3-15.
» Illinois moved to 12-19 all-time against Nebraska.
» Hits were tied at three apiece.
» Illinois moved to 11-11 at home this year.
» Jarvis dropped to 6-5 in the circle.
» Attendance was called at 1,113. 

PLAYER NOTES (ALL-TIME PROGRAM HISTORY)

» Kailee Powell Career:
    - 961 Putouts (5th)
    - 23 Hit by pitch (6th)
» Avrey Steiner Career:
    - 229 Games Played (6th)
    - 222 Games Started (T-8th)
    - 693 At bats (8th)
    - 231 Hits (5th)
    - .333 Batting average (9th)
    - 31 Double plays turned (t-10th)
» Sydney Sickels Career:
    - 2.79 ERA (4th)
    - 63 Wins (3rd)
    - 714 Strikeouts (1st)
    - 204 Strikeouts looking (1st)
    - 685.2 Innings pitched (3rd)
    - 57 Complete Games (3rd)
    - 17 Shutouts (T-2)
    - 106 Games started (T-2)
    - 159 Appearances (2nd)
    - 19 Saves (1st)
» Kelly Ryono Single Season:
    - 48 RBI (T-9)