Urbana, Ill. - After three weekends of play, the Fighting Illini are struggling with consistency, putting together a four-game winning streak from Feb. 14-20, but sitting at 5-10 on the year. The Orange and Blue hit the road once again this weekend for sunny Florida, playing in the Under Armour Invitational on Feb. 27 to March 1. The Illini will play a doubleheader at USF Softball Stadium in Tampa on Friday, then play three neutral games at the Eddie C. Moore Complex in Clearwater on Saturday and Sunday.
After examining the Illini infield and outfield over the past two weeks, today we take a look at the catchers. The Illini have used three catchers so far this season, and the trio has combined to lead the Big Ten with seven runners thrown out stealing over the first three weeks of play.
Emily Brodner - Fr. - R/R - St. Charles, Ill.
- Has caught eight games for the Illini, making six starts.
- Crushed a home run against UT-Martin for her first career hit.
- Ranks second in the Big Ten by throwing out five runners stealing over the first three weekends of play.
- Led the Arizona Hotshots to the 2014 18U Champions Cup title in Irvine, California.
Jess Perkins - Sr. - R/R - Orland Park, Ill.
- A true utility fielder, Perkins has played nearly every position during her career for the Illini, making her first appearance at catcher against IUPUI on Feb. 8, 2014.
- Made her first start of the season on Feb. 14 vs. Lamar, where she went 3-for-3 with a double, a home run and three RBIs and earned herself the starting role over the next seven straight games.
- A career .280 hitter, she ranks 10th at Illinois with a .381 career on base percentage and 11th with a .458 slugging percentage.
- Became the first Illini in program history to register two sacrifice flies in a game against New Mexico on Feb. 20, and is just one sac fly shy of tying the Illini career record (7).
- Has 15 career home runs, 79 RBIs, 70 runs, 24 doubles, and 20 HBP, and has thrown out three runners stealing.
Nicole Tobon - Jr. - R/R - Bloominton, Minn.
- Spent her first two seasons as a pinch hitter and designated player while serving as the Illini's primary bullpen catcher.
- Made her first career start at catcher in the 2015 season opener against Winthrop.
- Went 2-for-3 with a double, two runs and three RBIs in her start against Coppin State.
Other Illini who could see action behind the plate include freshman Katie Gallagher, who has made two appearances off the bench for the Illini this season, and redshirt-junior Paige Roytek, who has yet to see action for the Orange and Blue.
