DePaul University Athletics
Tuesday, April 25
Urbana-Champaign, Ill.
5:00 P.M. CT
DePaul University
at
Illinois
Softball Travels to Urbana for Final Non-Conference Contest
4/24/2023 6:15:00 PM | SOFTBALL
Blue Demons visit Illinois for 5 p.m. first pitch
CHICAGO – DePaul will make the trip south to Urbana-Champaign on Tuesday for its final non-conference game of the 2023 campaign against Illinois. First pitch is slated for 5 p.m. from Eichelberger Field with coverage carried on B1G+.
About DePaul
The Blue Demons will look to snap an eight-game losing streak on Tuesday and pick up some momentum in the last two weeks of the regular season. DePaul enters the midweek matchup 12-28 and 4-14 in BIG EAST play after dropping a three-game set to Villanova last weekend.
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Sophomore Anna Wohlers has led the Blue Demons at a .356 clip with a team-best 31 RBIs and .746 slugging percentage with 23 extra-base hits. First baseman Brooke Johnson is batting .331 and is second on the team with 22 RBIs.
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Nicole Sullivan has impressed as of late with a .462 average in the last 10 games including five doubles and four RBIs while reaching base at a .563 mark.
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In the circle, the Blue Demons have been using a pitch by committee method with all four pitchers earning 15 or more appearances. Freshman Bella Nigey owns a staff-best 4.98 ERA to go along with 47 strikeouts. Senior right-hander Brenna Smith has seen time in the circle with 89.0 innings of work and 16 starts.
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About Illinois
The Illini enter Tuesday's in-state clash 27-21 on the season including a 6-11 mark in Big Ten play. Last weekend, Illinois swept Michigan State at Eichelberger Field and currently sit in 12th place in league standings.
Right-fielder Kelly Ryono has led the offense with a team-best .349 average to go along with 45 RBIs on 11 home runs and eight doubles. Ryono shows flashes of speed on the base paths, stealing nine bases in 10 attempts in 2023. Sophomore Steve Meade is batting .315 through 48 games with 16-extra base hits to her credit.
Fifth-year right-hander Sydney Sickels has spent the bulk of the time in the circle, throwing 134.2 innings and earning a 3.17 ERA with a staff-best 125 strikeouts. Left-hander Tori McQueen owns a staff-best 3.05 ERA in 19 appearances and threw a one-hitter against the Blue Demons a season ago.
Series History
Tuesday will mark the 26th meeting between the two programs with DePaul holding a 14-10-1 edge in the overall series. The Illini have won the last three meetings including a 6-1 matchup at Cacciatore Stadium on April 23, 2022. The first matchup came on April 20, 2022.
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Up Next
DePaul will close out the home portion of its schedule April 28-30 when the Connecticut Huskies visit Cacciatore Stadium.
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About DePaul
The Blue Demons will look to snap an eight-game losing streak on Tuesday and pick up some momentum in the last two weeks of the regular season. DePaul enters the midweek matchup 12-28 and 4-14 in BIG EAST play after dropping a three-game set to Villanova last weekend.
Â
Sophomore Anna Wohlers has led the Blue Demons at a .356 clip with a team-best 31 RBIs and .746 slugging percentage with 23 extra-base hits. First baseman Brooke Johnson is batting .331 and is second on the team with 22 RBIs.
Â
Nicole Sullivan has impressed as of late with a .462 average in the last 10 games including five doubles and four RBIs while reaching base at a .563 mark.
Â
In the circle, the Blue Demons have been using a pitch by committee method with all four pitchers earning 15 or more appearances. Freshman Bella Nigey owns a staff-best 4.98 ERA to go along with 47 strikeouts. Senior right-hander Brenna Smith has seen time in the circle with 89.0 innings of work and 16 starts.
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About Illinois
The Illini enter Tuesday's in-state clash 27-21 on the season including a 6-11 mark in Big Ten play. Last weekend, Illinois swept Michigan State at Eichelberger Field and currently sit in 12th place in league standings.
Right-fielder Kelly Ryono has led the offense with a team-best .349 average to go along with 45 RBIs on 11 home runs and eight doubles. Ryono shows flashes of speed on the base paths, stealing nine bases in 10 attempts in 2023. Sophomore Steve Meade is batting .315 through 48 games with 16-extra base hits to her credit.
Fifth-year right-hander Sydney Sickels has spent the bulk of the time in the circle, throwing 134.2 innings and earning a 3.17 ERA with a staff-best 125 strikeouts. Left-hander Tori McQueen owns a staff-best 3.05 ERA in 19 appearances and threw a one-hitter against the Blue Demons a season ago.
Series History
Tuesday will mark the 26th meeting between the two programs with DePaul holding a 14-10-1 edge in the overall series. The Illini have won the last three meetings including a 6-1 matchup at Cacciatore Stadium on April 23, 2022. The first matchup came on April 20, 2022.
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Up Next
DePaul will close out the home portion of its schedule April 28-30 when the Connecticut Huskies visit Cacciatore Stadium.
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Players Mentioned
1B
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RHP
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RHP
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OF
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C/3B
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