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Illini softball honored at annual On-Deck Circle Banquet
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Brooke Buzard won the Coaches Award
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April 30, 2007
Champaign, Ill. - The On-Deck Circle hosted its seventh annual softball banquet Monday night at Hawthorne Suites in Champaign. The Illini honored those that have made the 2007 season so memorable. Several players garnered individual accolades as well.
Junior Shanna Diller earned the team's Scholar-Athlete award and the Gold Glove Award. The two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection has also had a great year at the plate, ranking 44th nationally in home runs, while sharing the Illinois-single season home run record with teammate Angelena Mexicano. Her 16 home runs are also second in Big Ten history. The third baseman leads the Big Ten with seven home runs in conference play with seven and ranks second on Illinois' all-time home runs list (28).
Sophomore catcher Lana Armstrong won the team's Slugger Award. Armstrong has 14 home runs and an Illinois single-season record 51 RBI while batting .372. She hit four home runs in one week in March, earning her Big Ten Player-of-the-Week. Armstrong has ranked among the top ten nationally in slugging percentage, which sits now at .743. She has been consistent, posting an Illinois record 18-game hitting streak from March 3-25.
Junior shortstop Angelena Mexicano claimed the team's Igniter Award. After leading the Big Ten in RBI in 2006, Mexicano has taken on a new role as the leadoff hitter. That hasn't stopped her power numbers. She is batting .333 with 13 doubles, two triples and a school-record 16 home runs for a .707 slugging percentage. Despite batting leadoff, she has tallied 35 RBI while staying perfect (12-for-12) in stolen bases. Mexicano was named Big Ten Player-of-the-Week after hitting four home runs at the Capital Classic. She hit two home runs before there was an out recorded in a 16-run first inning vs. Sacramento State on March 18.
Makenzie Smith earned the team's Most Improved Player Award. After playing a limited role in her first two years, the junior left fielder has emerged as one of Illinois' top sluggers. She did it from the get-go, earning All-Tournament honors at the first tourney of the season, the Diamond Fun & Sun Classic in Miami. That weekend Smith batted .400 with two doubles, three RBI and two runs scored as Illinois defeated No. 20 Louisville twice and host Florida International once. Smith's 16 doubles are one off a team record. She is one of four Illinois players in double figures in home runs with 10 while hitting .312 with 42 RBI.
Sophomore pitcher Brooke Buzard earned the Coaches' Award for the intangibles she brings to the team, such as her enthusiasm and work ethic. Buzard is an Academic All-Big Ten selection this year.
The On-Deck Circle Spirit Award went to senior catcher Brittany Koester. Koester has two home runs on the year, including a two-run shot in the ninth inning that clinched a 5-3 victory over Eastern Illinois. Illinois Head Coach Terri Sullivan said, "Brittany is the leader of all of our cheers, those during stretching, at the start of a game, in the dugout, at intense moments, or following a victory or defeat. Brittany is the heart and soul of our pitching/catching staff because of, once again, her spirit. She NEVER has an off day!!"
Sarah Bryers won the inaugural Kathleen Bryers Award for her courage, pride and unselfish attitude. Bryers is fourth on the team in batting average (.306) during Big Ten play. Four of her five home runs have come in conference games, including a two-run shot in the eighth inning to help the Illini upset No. 8 Michigan. She hit a three-run shot in a 16-run first inning vs. Sacramento State and has made several great players in center field as well.
Illinois is 29-23 overall, 7-7 and in fifth place in the Big Ten. The Illini, which is in the week of regular season play, have three victories over ranked teams this season. Illinois leads the nation in home runs, ranking 17th on the all-time single-season home runs list with 82. A total of 12 different players have hit home runs this year. The Illini are also in the top ten in both slugging percentage and runs scored.
