May 8, 2008
PARK RIDGE, Ill. - The Illinois softball team had three members selected to the 2008 All-Big Ten teams, as announced Thursday by the Big Ten office. Third baseman Shanna Diller collected first-team honors, while centerfielder Sarah Bryers and rightfielder Hope Howell were named to the second team.
Diller garnered her third career All-Big Ten honor after batting .400 with 12 RBIs, five home runs and 17 runs scored in conference play, topping each of those categories among conference third basemen. The Bloomington, Ill., native is the first Illini selected as first-team all-conference since 2004 when first baseman Jenna Hall and pitcher Amanda Fortune earned first-team honors. Diller also earned second-team accolades in 2007 and third-team in 2005.
Bryers received the first conference honor of her career with a .291 average, 18 RBIs and five home runs in Big Ten action. The Bloomingdale, Ill., produced her best season yet and has been one of the offensive leaders throughout the season for the Orange and Blue. The senior's 10 home runs, more than her previous three seasons combined, are the second most on the team and her seven RBIs against Illinois-Chicago set a new school single-game record.
Howell made it back-to-back years with second-team honors as the Illini's second leading hitter in conference games. The Lithonia, Ga., native hit .333 with nine RBIs, three home runs and12 runs scored. She becomes just the second Illini in history to earn consecutive All-Big Ten honors, joining Hall who was recognized each of her four years.
In addition to the All-Big Ten awards, utility player Katie Gaitros received the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award for Illinois. The student-athletes chosen are individuals who have distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior, while also maintaining good academic standing and having demonstrated good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting.
2008 ALL-BIG TEN SOFTBALL TEAMS AND POSTSEASON HONORS
FIRST TEAM
*Dorian Shaw, Fr., MICH, 1B
*Samantha Findlay, Sr., MICH, 2B
Shanna Diller, Sr., ILL, 3B
Tammy Williams, Jr., NU, SS
Samantha Marder, So., OSU, C
Nikki Nemitz, So., MICH, UT
*Angela Findlay, So., MICH, OF
Alessandra Giampaolo, Sr., MICH, OF
*Nikki Nicosia, Sr., MSU, OF
Katie Brown, So., IOWA, DP
Jordan Taylor, Fr., MICH, P
Lauren Delaney, So., NU, P
SECOND TEAM
Michelle Batts, Fr., NU, 1B
Nicole Pauly, So., NU, 2B
Robin Thompson, Fr., NU, 3B
Teddi Ewing, Jr., MICH, SS
Erin Dyer, Jr., NU, C
Colleen McGlaughlin, Jr., IOWA, UT
Sarah Bryers, Sr., ILL, OF
Hope Howell, So., ILL, OF
Kelly Quinn, Fr., NU, OF
Emily Haug, So., NU, DP
Brittany Weil, Jr., IOWA, P
Briana Hassett, Jr., MINN, P
THIRD TEAM
Malisa Barnes, Fr., MINN, 1B
Kelly Miller, Jr., PUR, 2B
Colleen Conway, Jr., MINN, 3B
Bianca Mejia, Fr., MSU, SS
Jenna Alexander, So., PUR, C
Ashley Esparza, Sr., PSU, UT
Quinn Morelock, Jr., IOWA, OF
Sila Fernandez, Sr., MINN, OF
Dee Dee Hillman, Fr., OSU, OF
Jessica LeFevre, Sr., MSU, DP
Suzie Rzegocki, Fr., PUR, P
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Tammy Williams, NU
PITCHER OF THE YEAR: Lauren Delaney, NU
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: Jordan Taylor, MICH
COACH OF THE YEAR: Carol Hutchins, MICH
2008 SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD HONOREES
Katie Gaitros, ILL
Jessica Rigas, NU
Anna Olson, IND
Brittany Vanderink, OSU
Summer Downs, IOWA
Rebecca Bautista, PSU
Teddi Ewing, MICH
Tara Palmer, PUR
Nikki Nicosia, MSU
Theresa Boruta, WIS
Colleen Conway, MINN
*- Unanimous selection
