COLUMBIA, S.C. – Illinois softball started the Gamecock Invitational with a shutout on Friday morning at Carolina Softball Stadium, topping North Carolina A&T, 4-0, during the tournament opener.

With the triumph over the Aggies, the Fighting Illini improved to 10-5. North Carolina A&T dropped to 2-12 with the loss.

Addy Jarvis went the distance for Illinois, allowing two hits while fanning 10 batters during her seven-inning shutout.

Offensively, the Fighting Illini were paced by senior Delaney Rummell, who went 2-for-3 on the day with a double and two RBI. Brianna Nykaza added a noteworthy performance at the dish as well, going 1-for-2 with an RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Illini got on the board early, scoring three of their four runs in the bottom of the first. Back-to-back walks for Avrey Steiner and Kelly Ryono began the frame, while a double by Rummell scored the duo. Nykaza added an RBI single, helping Illinois jump out to a 3-0 lead.

Scoreless efforts by both squads followed until the sixth inning when Morgan Scivally began a rally for the Orange and Blue with a pinch-hit single. Alaina Miller came in to run for the senior and heads-up base running allowed the freshman to take third. After a walk put runners on the corners, Miller and Gabrielle Debevec executed a double steal, with Miller crossing the plate for the final run of the game.

Jarvis allowed a leadoff walk in the top of the seventh, but the Illini defense was able to secure the 4-0 shutout victory over the Aggies.

Illinois continues its run at the Gamecock Invitational with contests against UNCW and South Carolina on Saturday.

GAME NOTES

» Jarvis tossed her first complete game shutout of the season and second of her career in the Orange and Blue. 

» The shutout was the second of the year for Illinois, the first reaching seven innings.

» Jarvis struck out 10 Aggie hitters, the most this season for the senior.

» The Fighting Illini out-hit the Aggies at a 7-2 clip.

» Both Steiner and Miller stole two bases in Friday’s game.

» The Fighting Illini’s seven stolen bases ties for second in the record book for most stolen bases in a single game.

» Illinois wore grey uniforms, moving to 2-2 while wearing those.

» The Illini improved to 2-0 all-time against the Aggies

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