Courtesy of Illinois Athletics
Urbana, Ill. – The 2015 softball season kicks off on Feb. 6 in Athens, Georgia, when the Illini take on Winthrop to open the Red and Black Showcase.
Illinois returns NFCA All-Region players Allie Bauch (Schaumburg, Ill.) and Kylie Johnson (Kankakee, Ill.), as well as talented sophomores Ruby Rivera (Glendale, Calif.) and Nicole Evans (Glen Ellyn, Ill.). Senior captain Brittany Sanchez (Skokie, Ill.) will be a leader in the outfield, while senior hurler Shelese Arnold (Lexington, Tenn.) will take over the reins of the pitching staff.
The Illini add a large crop of newcomers for 2015, with nine freshmen along with sophomore pitcher Breanna Wonderly (Centerview, Mo.), a transfer from Heartleand Community College.
PITCHING
The Illini return two of their three pitchers from 2014, led by senior Shelese Arnold, as well as two-way player Jade Vecvanags (Orange, Calif.). The returners are joined by freshman Kate Giddens (Milledgeville, Ga.) and JC transfer Breanna Wonderly. In addition to the new faces in the circle, the pitching staff has a world-class new coach, in Volunteer Assistant Jeremy Manley.
“We are excited about our pitching staff and the work that Coach Manley has done with them,” said Sullivan. “Our pitchers have really been committed to their physical and mental training. We are seeing great senior leadership from Shey AND a determination to be a workhorse for this team. When she is focused, her pitches are tough to do much with, and she utilizes her defense very well.”
Arnold has appeared in 53 career games for the Illini, posting a 3.66 ERA over 219.2 innings pitched. She was named the Big Ten Pitcher of the Week on April 22, 2013, after tossing back-to-back two-hit shutouts against Indiana, and she topped that by taking a no-hitter into the bottom of the seventh against UMKC in 2014.
Vecvanags was an integral part of the Illini pitching staff in 2014, making 14 relief appearances, including four no-hit outings. She went 1-1 with a 4.65 ERA in 43.2 innings, while amassing 13 hits and four RBIs in the offensive lineup.
“Jade has invested a lot of time and heart into improving all of her pitches and has learned to keep hitters off balance better,” said Sullivan. “She is now effectively throwing to both sides of the plate and we are seeing more and more swings and misses.”
Wonderly joins the Illini after a season with Heartland, where she went 17-7 with 115 strikeouts and just 25 walks over 153 innings, posting a 1.74 ERA. The M-WAC Conference Pitcher of the Year, the sophomore earned all-conference first team and All-Region 24 honors last season as well.
“Our newcomers are going to make key contributions as well, in particular in relief, and later in the season, platooning with Shey and Jade,” said Sullivan. “Bre has a very high ceiling, and is figuring out what throwing at this level is all about. She has competitiveness about her when she steps in that circle on game day and brings her best on those occasions. Giddy has made tremendous strides from the fall, in large part because she is so coachable and determined. She gives us a different look in the circle, and when she hits her spots, can be difficult to adjust to.”
Like Vecvanags, Giddens has a strong bat along with her arm, batting .588 with eight home runs as a junior at John Milledge Academy. A three-time All-Region 4AAA selection, she pitched a shutout to lead the EC Bullets to a top-five finish at the 2012 Colorado Fireworks Tournament.
CATCHING
There will be many new faces behind the plate in 2015, after the loss of Jenna Mychko, who started all-but-two games for the Illini as a senior last season. Returning players Nicole Tobon (Bloomington, Minn.) and Jess Perkins (Orland Park, Ill.) have teamed up with freshman Emily Brodner (St. Charles, Ill.), while junior Paige Roytek (Mattoon, Ill.) and freshman Katie Gallagher (Chicago, Ill.) have trained in the off season for a chance behind the plate as well.
“We have been having a lot of fun working with our catchers!” said Sullivan. “There are a lot of new faces, and they all work incredibly hard. Nicole has not wasted time over the past two seasons; she has been learning and growing as a catcher and is very ready to contribute now to this team’s success. She sees the field well and blocks and receives the ball at a high level. Her confidence is soaring at the plate too, and her commitment in the weight room is showing. We only expect her to get better as the season goes on. We love it when she shows ATTITUDE behind the plate.”
Tobon has made 20 appearances over her first two seasons, primarily as a pinch hitter, but has served a key role as a bullpen catcher throughout her time at Illinois.
Perkins has seen time at nearly every defensive position during her Illinois career, adding catcher to that list in 2014. A career .274 hitting, Perkins had a .515 slugging percentage with 12 extra-base hits in 2014, while not being afraid to take one for the team, tying for fourth all time with 20 hit by pitch. The utility athlete threw out a UMKC runner stealing in just her third career game behind the plate in 2014, and has the potential to play anywhere in the field again this spring.
“Perk has been a utility player here throughout her career, and that is because she can adjust to really almost any defensive position,” said Sullivan. “She has been a solid stick in our lineup and has a good presence both at and behind the plate. When her dedication and toughness are at a high, her contributions to our success are limitless.
“We decided to convert Paige to a catcher, because we believed she has the toughness and athleticism to become very skilled at the position. She continues to get better and throws the ball well.”
Paige Roytek awaits her first Illini appearance after stints at Millikin University (2012) and Parkland Communitiy College (2013), followed by a redshirt year with Illinois last spring. Formerly an outfielder, Roytek will try her hand in the battery this season.
“Our two first year catchers have a similar story to our returnees in that they are versatile players,” Sullivan continued. “Emily has solid communication behind the plate and receives the ball well. She will continue to get stronger and has identified what she needs to do at this level to grow at her position. She is a smart offensive player with power.”
A Daily HeraldAll-Area selection in 2012, Emily Brodner helped the Arizona Hotshots win the 2014 18U Champions Cup in Irvine, California. Katie Gallagher is a two-time All-GCAC Conference player, who earned the St. Ignatius College Prep Athlete of the Year Award.
“KG is one of the best athletes on our team, and we felt she could become an outstanding catcher if she trains very hard to do so. She certainly isn’t afraid to work and just picks up on things very quickly. She will continue to see what the pace of the game is like in college and what that means for a catcher.”
INFIELD
The Illini return a strong middle infield duo in Ruby Rivera and Allie Bauch, who started every game at shortstop and second base, respectively, in 2014.
“The Illini infield is middle strong,” said associate head coach Donna DiBiase. “Both returnees Allie Bauch and Ruby Rivera have proven that with their explosive offense and steady play up the middle. Allie’s tremendous work ethic is evident in her daily effort at practice. She has developed into a dangerous offensive threat, and solid defensive second baseman.”
Bauch was named NFCA All-Midwest Region after leading the Illini slugging percentage (.547), runs, home runs, total bases and walks, while hitting .347 with a .417 on base percentage. A true catalyst for the Illini offense at the top of the order, she hit .424 when leading off an inning, including five leadoff home runs.
Rivera put together an incredibly impressive rookie campaign, batting .315 with 13 doubles, five home runs, 16 walks and 23 RBIs, with just 10 strikeouts with 146 at-bats. Her consistency at the plate peaked at the end of the season, registering a 10-game hitting streak, reaching base safely in 15 straight games in the month of April.
“Ruby’s ability to hit the long ball while consistently putting the ball in play makes her a tough out,” said DiBiase. “With a consistent approach on defense, she has the ability to raise the level of play of others around her. We look for these two very talented athletes to work together and be the leaders of the Illini infield. They will be backed up by Sam Acosta and Jill Nicklas; two very versatile players, that are tough outs offensively and have team-first attitudes.”
Rivera and Bauch were key in helping the Illini break their program record and rank second in the nation in double plays turned, setting new position records with 18 and 16, respectively.
On the corners, fans may see returners Jess Perkins or Danielle Trezzo (Downers Grove, Ill.) at third and Remeny Perez (Tustin, Calif.) back at first, but they will be competing for starting roles with freshman Leigh Farina (Rolling Meadows, Ill.) and sophomore Alyssa Gunther (Tinley Park, Ill.). Freshmen Sam Acosta (Hoffman Estates, Ill.), Jill Nicklas (McKinney, Texas) and Annie Fleming (Chillicothe, Ill.) will all battle for playing time in the infield and in the offensive lineup throughout the spring as well.
“Making the move to first base is the very coachable, no-nonsense Alyssa Gunther,” said DiBiase. “Her hard work this off season is evident on both sides of the ball, as she has been one of our most consistent hitters this fall and winter. Defensively, she brought a business-like approach to practice, showing great range, quickness and glove around the bag. She will compete with returning first baseman Remeny Perez, who brings a lefty power hitter to the lineup.”
Gunther saw action primarily as a pinch hitter or pinch runner in 2014, after missing the first several weeks of the season with a hand injury. She made a pair of starts at third base, collecting her first career hit, a double, in her start vs. DePaul.
Perez brings power to the Illini offense, totaling 14 doubles, 11 home runs and 43 RBIs over her first two seasons, with a career .505 slugging percentage. Knowing when to hold off as well, Perez has 29 walks and 20 hit by pitch to her name as well. The Illini’s starting first baseman for much of the past two seasons, Perez tied the Illini’s record for double plays turned with 22 in 2014.
“The competition is high at third base,” DiBiase continued. “We have several strong-armed players at the hot corner. Danielle Trezzo has improved her footwork and general knowledge of the position. Leigh Farina has great range and quickness. Offensively, she has quick hands and drives the ball to all fields. Senior Jess Perkins has leadership and experience and can add offensive power to the line-up. Annie Fleming, has made strides at the position and gives us another left-handed bat.”
Junior Danielle Trezzo made 10 appearances at third base in 2014, along with playing eight games at shortstop as a freshman. Showing speed on the base paths, she has five career stolen bases and 13 runs scored, primarily as a pinch runner.
Farina set William Fremd High School’s batting record with a career .441 average, totaling 67 extra-base hits over her four-year career. A three-time Chicago Sun Times Top 100 Player, she was a three-time all-area and all-conference player and named first-team all-state in 2013.
A Daily Herald All-Area selection in 2014, Sam Acosta was named MSL All-Conference after hitting .417 as a senior at Hoffman Estates.
Jill Nicklas batted at least .380 all four years at McKinney Boyd High School, recording impressive marks her freshman year with a .521 on base percentage and an .825 slugging percentage.
Annie Fleming put up incredible numbers at the plate for Peoria Notre Dame High school, earning Peoria Journal Star Player of the Year after hitting .551 with a .958 slugging percentage in 2014.
OUTFIELD
The Illini return a bulk of the outfield from 2014, bringing back three of the team’s four regular players, including all-conference junior Kylie Johnson and senior team captain Brittany Sanchez. Sophomore Nicole Evans improved immensely throughout her rookie campaign and she and freshman Carly Thomas (Fontana, Calif.) were among the top offensive players during the fall season. First-year Hailey Pieruccini (Chicago, Ill.) will also compete for playing time in the outfield platoon.
“Brittany has been a staple in the outfield since her freshman year,” said assistant coach Katie O’Connell. “Entering her senior year, Brittany will continue to bring consistency and leadership to the Fighting Illini. Along with her major league arm, Sanchez has tremendous reads on the ball and is able to cover a lot of ground. She is a player that loves to come through for her team both offensively and defensively.”
A talented fielder with a great arm, Sanchez has 11 outfield assists over the past two seasons, and has improved in the batter’s box every season, smashing 10 extra-base hits with 25 RBIs in 2014.
All-Big Ten Second Team selection Kylie Johnson is one of the fastest athletes in the conference, beating out infield hits day in and day out while totaling seven extra-base hits in 2014 as well. Ranking sixth in the Big Ten by hitting .383 last season, Johnson has 28 career stolen bases.
“Kylie is one of the most exciting players to watch in the country,” said O’Connell. “Her speed is top notch, and her ability to be a triple threat on offense has defenses guessing what she is going to do next. When she gets on base we know we have a great chance to score. On defense, Kylie is a player that makes the catches that everyone believed would be a hit. All of a sudden here comes Kylie out of the corner of your eye stealing a hit from an opponent.”
Evans saw action in 41 games as a freshman, totaling eight extra-base hits with 13 RBIs. She hit the game-winning home run in the bottom of the seventh against Iowa at the Big Ten Tournament, and led the Illini at the plate throughout the fall.
“Nicole Evans is a `Baller’ on defense and offense!” O’Connell continued. “One swing of her bat can change a game in an instant. Evans has amazing power. She is the ultimate team player that will do anything for her team to win. On defense, nothing drops in the left field area. There is no ball that scares Nicole to get, even if it means sacrificing her body to get the out. She is an outstanding leader for the Fighting Illini!”
A 2014 All-Baseline League selection, Carly Thomas showed outstanding potential throughout fall ball in her first semester at Illinois. Fellow rookie Hailey Pieruccini was ranked in the top 50 by the Chicago Sun Times in 2013.
“Entering her first year, Carly has already made a positive impact on the Fighting Illini! Carly is a confident, consistent and exciting player. With her elite arm and great angles to the ball, she is `Steady Eddy’ in the outfield. We look for big things this year from Carly both offensively and defensively. With a continued strong work ethic and love of the game, she has a chance to become a very special player for the Fighting Illini.
“Hailey is a type of player that every successful team has in their program. Not only is she a solid player, she also puts her team first and accepts any role that is thrown at her unselfishly. Her positive energy lifts the team and makes everyone around her better. She will be playing a crucial role on the bases this year.”
SCHEDULE
The Illini will play 23 games against 11 participants in the 2014 NCAA Tournament, including four of the 16 Super Regionals qualifiers. The Illini will see 10 teams that appear in the NFCA or ESPN.com Preseason Polls, while playing four games against top-5 opponents (#4 Georgia, #5 UCLA) according the final RPI of 2014.
Illinois will battle three regular-season conference champions as well as three teams that won their conference tournament, including SEC Tournament Champion Georgia and Big East regular-season and tournament champion DePaul.
The Orange and Blue will travel to five different states in three different time zones for preseason tournaments, with all five tournament hosts having participated in the 2014 NCAA Tournament.
Illinois will host a neutral-site doubleheader against No. 17 Missouri in St. Charles, Missouri, in addition to its 14 home games at Eichelberger Field.
The Illini will host three-game series with Minnesota, Indiana, Wisconsin and Purdue, and play road series at Iowa, Maryland, Nebraska and Northwestern (DH). The 2015 Big Ten Tournament will be hosted by Ohio State on May 7-9.
