Sept. 6, 2007

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Illinois softball team has picked up the bats and gloves and returned to the field to begin preparations for the 2008 season. In addition to a rigorous practice schedule over the next month, the Illini open their fall season on Sunday at noon, hosting Kankakee Community College at Martin Stadium at Eichelberger Field.

"The team is really coming together well, both on and off the field," head coach Terri Sullivan said. "Our goal in the fall is to have a lot of growth as a team, both skill-wise and chemistry-wise, and we feel like we're headed in a really positive direction."

The fall season also gives the players a chance to "get their feet wet," Sullivan said. Each player gets an opportunity to showcase their talents, both offensively and defensively, giving the coaching staff a chance to see who fits into different roles and experiment with the lineup.

"We feel we have a lot of different changes we can make this year with the lineup," Sullivan said. "We want to see who can step up and do what in the fall and, as a coaching staff, learn more about our team."

The Illini have high expectations for the upcoming season, returning the top three home run hitters off of last year's explosive squad that led the nation in home runs per game. Add to that a more experienced pitching staff and a group of talented newcomers, and Sullivan is excited about her team's potential.

"We feel really good about the upcoming season," Sullivan said. "Everyone is working extremely hard and our returning players are very hungry. Our senior class is so talented and hard-working that they intend to go as far into May as possible. Our new players are very athletic and coachable and that stood out immediately."

After the Illini open the fall season against Kankakee, the team will travel to Orland Park, Ill., for the Chicagoland Fall Classic. The Orange and Blue will play a doubleheader on Saturday, Sept. 14, taking on Valparaiso and Olivet Nazarene. Illinois will round out the tournament on Sept. 15 with another doubleheader, facing DePaul and Kankakee. The Illini finish the fall season with a pair of home games, hosting Parkland College on Friday, Sept. 21 and then matching up against the Alumni on Saturday, Sept. 22.