May 27, 2009

URBANA, Ill. - Sophomore second baseman Danielle Zymkowitz was named an All-American by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association, as announced by the organization on Wednesday. Zymkowitz earned third-team honors at second base, becoming the program's second All-American along with former Illini first baseman Jenna Hall, who earned first-team accolades in 2006.

A first-team All-Big Ten selection, Zymkowitz has been among the nation's elite performers this season, ranking 15th in runs scored per game with a 1.04 average. The West Hills, Calif., native finished tied atop the Big Ten with 48 runs, while her .401 batting average and 63 hits ranked second. Zymkowitz also left her mark on Illinois' record book, as her .401 average and .484 on-base percentage rank third in single-season history. She finished the season with 20 stolen bases, fourth-most in history, and a .952 stolen base percentage, good for second.

The second baseman started the season on fire and rarely let up, opening 2009 with a hit in 15-straight games, the second-longest streak in Illinois history. As the table-setter for the Illini, Zymkowitz reached base in 42 of 46 contests. She was the first player to hit a home run off the No. 1-ranked Florida pitching staff this season and also earned the program's first USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Week Award after batting .900 while slugging 1.500 in a three-game stretch that included a sweep of Penn State. In addition to getting the job done with her bat, Zymkowitz was one of the most defensively sound second baseman in the league, committing just three errors during the season for a .984 fielding percentage.

Zymkowitz was one of the key reasons why the Orange and Blue made its first NCAA Championship appearance since 2004. Against Illinois' 12 opponents that qualified for the postseason tournament, the sophomore hit .357, including 10 RBIs and 16 runs, with a .486 on-base percentage and .482 slugging percentage.

For the full list of NFCA All-Americans, click here.