Illinois
Overall Rank: #34
Conference Rank: #5 Big Ten
After a 45-8 record in 2010 and tied for second in Big Ten, Illinois slipped and finished third in the Big Ten a year ago behind Indiana and Michigan. The Illini return five starters and 10 letter winners for coach Terri Sullivan, who started the program in 2000 (13-17) with walk-ons. Illinois has made four NCAA appearances with the last in 2010. Illinois concluded the fall season with a 7-1 record and will open the 2012 season on February 10 in Miami, Florida competing in the Blue & Gold Felsberg Memorial Tournament.
2011: 27-22, 12-8
2011 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Terri Sullivan
Field Players:
The biggest loss is second baseman Danielle Zymkowitz who led the team in batting, hits, runs, triples, on-base percentage and stolen bases. She was the 28th leading hitter in Division One with a .425 average including 52 runs and 21 of 26 stolen bases. She was named a third team NFCA All-American and is the first two-time All-American in softball for Illinois. Back are the second leading hitters, Meredith Hackett and Jessica Davis, who each batted .336 and have good power with 23 homers between them. Davis had 14 homers and drove in 46 runs while Hackett smacked nine over the fence and drove in 45 runs. They will be expected to lead the offense again. Davis split time between left field and shortstop while Hackett was at first base. Danielle Vaji (.291) also returns and is versatile, playing the outfield and shortstop a year ago. She also has good speed with eight stolen bases in 13 attempts. Newcomers are Jami Schkade, IF, Shelese Arnold, P, Jess Perkins, UT and Brittany Sanchez, OF.
Pitchers:
Two of the team’s three pitchers are back, juniors Pepper Gay and Jackie Guy. Gay topped the staff with a 20-14 record and a 2.69 ER with 148 strikeouts in 182.1 innings. Guy pitched in 14 games with 99 strikeouts in 126.2 innings and an ERA of 2.82. Three catchers are listed on roster and will have to fill the void left by the graduated Audrey Gallien, who was a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and made only one error in 205 chances for a .995 fielding percentage. Catchers include Stephanie Cuevas (.069), Jenna Mychko (.200) and Linnea Detrick.
Final Projection:
This team had a team batting average of .282 and lost its leading hitter through graduation. Returning players will have to pick up the slack on offense if the Fighting Illini are to improve on last season and gain a berth in the NCAA Tournament.
Projected Postseason: NCAA
Returning Leaders:
At Bats: Meredith Hackett, 1B, 203
Hits: Jessica Davis, OF/SS, 48
Home Runs: Jessica Davis, OF/SS, 14
RBIs: Jessica Davis, OF/SS, 45
Runs: Jessica Davis, OF/SS, 30
Stolen Bases: Danielle Vaji, OF/SS, 8
Wins: Pepper Gay, P, 20
Innings Pitched: Pepper Gay, P, 182.1
Strikeouts: Pepper Gay, P, 148
Saves: Pepper Gay, Jackie Guy,P, 1
