May 19, 2011
Full NFCA All-Region Awards Release | Complete List of NFCA All-Region Teams
STARKVILLE, Miss. – Three Illini Softball players earned National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Midwest recognition for their individual performances during the 2011 season, the NFCA announced on Thursday. Danielle Zymkowitz tallied First Team All-Midwest for the third consecutive season while Meredith Hackett and Jessica Davis took home All-Region Second Team honors.
Zymkowitz wrapped up her career at Illinois with her highest single-season batting average, finishing sixth in the conference at .425 (71-for-167). Zymkowitz notched 71 hits and 52 runs, the third-best marks in each category in the Big Ten, while stealing the sixth-most bases (21). With her best per-game statistical season of her career, Zymkowitz ended her four years with the Orange and Blue in the top-10 in nearly two-dozen career and seasonal program lists. Zymkowitz owns the most career hits (277), runs scored (202) and stolen bases (91), while leading the 2011 Illini squad in batting average, hits, runs, triples (6) and stolen bases. Zymkowitz also earned a place on the 2011 All-Big Ten First Team list – the third consecutive season the West Hills, Calif., native earned this laurel as well.
Hackett recorded her second consecutive NFCA All-Midwest honor, following a season during which the Corona, Calif., native hit .336 with a Big Ten-leading 16 doubles, nine home runs and 45 RBIs. Hackett remained a force in the middle of the Illinois lineup, producing the seventh-best single season slugging percentage in program history. Hackett’s 2011 season, in conjunction with her All-America performance in 2010, have solidified her place in the career top-10 for slugging percentage (.642, first), home runs (32, fourth), batting average (.332, fifth), RBIs (122, tied-fifth), on-base percentage (.434, sixth), doubles (35, tied-seventh) and walks (70, tied-eighth).
Davis, who took home All-Big Ten First Team honors with Zymkowitz this season, was a dangerous bat in the heart of the Illini order throughout the 2011 campaign. After overcoming a season-ending knee injury, which cut her 2010 season to only 28 games, Davis recovered fully to lead the Orange and Blue offense with 14 home runs, 46 RBIs and 98 total bases while starting all 49 games – seeing time in left field and at shortstop. Davis was the only Illini to produce multiple games of five or more RBIs, doing so twice, while the Zephyrhills, Fla., native tallied the fifth-best single-season slugging percentage (.685).
The NFCA Division-I All-America teams will be announced at 4:00 p.m. CDT on Wednesday, June 1.
