URBANA  There are six pitchers, one of whom is a left-hander.

   There are four catchers, none of whom are left-handed.

   There are 12 infielders and 14 outfielders, some of whom are left-handed.

   That''s the status of the first Illinois softball roster after coach Terri Sullivan and staff finished cutting more than 60 percent of the prospects who showed up for tryouts. Final cuts were Thursday night.

   All in all, she believes things worked out all right.

   "All of the girls came out with the same amount of desire and really impressed myself and Donna (DiBiase-Lemon, assistant)," Sullivan said. "We''re working with a bigger number than we normally would, but a lot of girls showed that over the year, they could make a lot of improvements.

   "This year is mainly seeing what everyone here can do. We look to have this core group with us throughout the year."

   Two former area athletes are on the 36-player roster: Centennial product Reed Evans, an outfielder, and Unity graduate Annie Rymer, a pitcher.

   Sullivan said none of the squad members are on scholarship, but she didn''t discount the option that some might yet receive financial aid this school year.

   "It''s possible for the spring semester," she said. "You like to reward players who contribute and do well. We''ll have to evaluate where we are with recruiting."

   Like other Division I coaches, Sullivan will have 12 full scholarships at her disposal. By putting some athletes on a partial scholarship, a larger number of incoming athletes could receive assistance.

   Four current high school seniors already gave oral commitments to the Illini. Although Sullivan can''t comment until a letter of intent is signed, she isn''t surprised players are ready to join the fledgling program, which is in its first year of existence as a varsity sport.

   "It is an opportunity for very good players to come in and be four-year starters," Sullivan said. "The excitement of building a program from the ground up attracts a lot of players. We were hoping to get some momentum by having good players commit early."

   To date, commitments have been received from Lockport pitcher Shannon Lindgren, who had 17 shutouts among her 25 wins last year for a team that placed third in the AA state tournament, South Bend (Ind.) first baseman Bridget Pluta, who has batted at least .468 each of the past two seasons, Buffalo Grove shortstop Lindsey Hamma, a three-year varsity starter at shortstop, and Orland Park Sandburg second baseman Alicia Hammel.

   "If we get the right girls, we''ll be able to compete right away and be at the same level as the rest of the teams," said Lindgren, who walked 15 batters in 221 innings as a junior. She will major in physical therapy.

   Sullivan''s recruiting ventures are not just regional.

   "We''re going after the best players in the country," she said.

   "We worked hard over the summer to identify talent. I wanted to show our presence in the softball community."

   The Illini will play several exhibition games this fall, starting with a doubleheader at Parkland, tentatively scheduled for Sept. 23.