Jan. 26, 2007

Urbana, Ill. - Editor's Note: This is the second in a three-part series previewing Illinois softball. This week the focus is on the infielders. Illinois starts the season Feb. 9 in Miami, Fla.

Kisten Martin came to Illinois as a highly touted first baseman with a long-ball threat after claiming the Hitting Derby at the 2003 State Tournament. Martin has patiently waited for her opportunity to step onto the field full time, playing three years behind All-American Jenna Hall. In this her senior season, the left-hander gets her shot at being a two-way player as the Illini's full-time first baseman.

"The mindset changes," Martin said of this opportunity. "I now need to be there defensively as well. True it puts a little more pressure on, but I like to play both ways because it provides a balance. In case you're not having the greatest offensive day, you can contribute on defense."

Martin has had a few chances in the field in her first three years, including filling in last season for Hall after her collision with the fence along the first-base line at Stanford. In 199 career chances, Martin has just two errors for an impressive .990 fielding percentage.

After a slow start to her career offensively, Martin emerged as a major cog in the Illini attack last year, especially during the Big Ten season. For the year, she had six doubles, six home runs and 28 RBI for a .464 slugging percentage. Her 17 RBI during conference play ranked behind only teammate Angelena Mexicano in all of the Big Ten, earning her third team All-Conference.

Martin says that Hall has been instrumental in her progress in the field and at the plate. "We've been very good friends, and she has really helped me with my hitting," Martin said. "At first base, she has taught me to be more aggressive in coming in on bunts."

Martin started 39 games total in 2006, most at designated player, and credits a pinch-hit home run against Purdue at the South Florida Tournament as giving her the confidence at the plate. "I stayed very consistent after that," she said.

"Kisten had the chance to compete in some high pressure games against some very good teams and pitchers," head coach Terri Sullivan said. "She has a steadiness about her no matter who she is playing."

The right side of the infield will be senior laden with classmate Molly Lawhead moving back to second base. Like Martin, Lawhead earned third team All-Big Ten and emerged as one of Illinois' biggest offensive weapons last season. She tied with Mexicano for second on the team in slugging percentage (.522), batting .314 with eight doubles, two triples, seven home runs and 21 RBI. Lawhead ranks second in slugging (.472) and fourth in batting (.308) on Illinois' career list.

"Molly Lawhead brings leadership to our team," said Sullivan. "She has a no-nonsense attitude about competing to lead her team to wins like she experienced her freshman year (when Illinois made the Sweet 16)."

Despite Hall's absence, the Illini have some mighty bats to pick up a big chunk of the offense. Expecting to carry the biggest chunk will be Mexicano at shortstop. After hitting just .207 as a freshman, Mexicano had quite the break-out season as a sophomore, leading the Big Ten in RBI during all (49) and conference games (23). She also led the Illini with 13 doubles and ranked second on the club in home runs (11).

Mexicano had six home runs and 24 RBI in a span of 12 days in early April, which included one of the most dramatic home runs in school history, a walk-off grand slam at Penn State to erase a 5-2 seventh-inning deficit. She has the proven ability to explode offensively at any time with seven RBI in a doubleheader with Loyola and six RBI in a twinbill with Wisconsin. In fact 24 over her 48 hits were for extra bases.

"Angelena is committed to the extra, that is why she gets extra-base hits." Sullivan said. "She works like crazy in the weight room and is a good mentor for teammates in strength and conditioning."

"We have several players that are extra-base threats," Mexicano added. "I have confidence in myself and my teammates to produce a lot of runs."

Mexicano and fellow junior third baseman Shanna Diller bring a full two years of experience on the left side. Last season Diller improved her batting average by 26 points to .310. Her power numbers as a sophomore mirror those of her freshman campaign when she set an Illinois freshman record for RBI (39) while amassing eight doubles and seven home runs. As a sophomore, she equaled her RBI output while totaling seven doubles and five round trippers.

The infielders are expected to be the table setters. Diller was in the leadoff spot most of the fall, but she, Lawhead and Mexicano all batted somewhere in the 1-3 slots.