Illini Rake In All-Big Ten Honors
Illinois' best regular season since 2004 has been rewarded by the Big Ten Conference, as five Illini have received All-Big Ten honors. Second baseman Danielle Zymkowitz has been the catalyst for the Illini offense all season long out of the leadoff spot, batting over .400, and was recognized with First Team honors. She was joined on the first team by senior designated player Katrina Ross, who earned her first conference honor. Ross hit over .350 in conference play, and closed out her home career in style with a walkoff homerun on Saturday 5/2 against nationally-ranked Northwestern.
Junior outfielder Hope Howell earned second-team honors for the third straight season, as she once again hit over .300 for Illinois. Third team honors went to sophomore outfielder Hollie Pinchback and freshman third baseman Kelley Wedel. Pinchback led Big Ten outfielders in RBI during conference play, while Wedel hit over .300 while playing solid defense at the hot corner.
Illinois has the second-most players earning all-conference honors, behind only Michigan, who has six. Iowa and Ohio State also have five players being recognized.
The Illini are travelling to Columbia, Missouri tonight as they prepare to face the Tigers in their opening game of the NCAA Regional on Friday. DePaul faces Bradley in the other contest. The Illini are the number three seed, with DePaul the top seed, Missouri the number two seed, and Bradley the fourth seed. The Illini and Tigers, who surprisingly are meeting for the first time ever, face off Friday at 5 pm.
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