Members of the Illinois softball team are writing a blog, which will be published throughout the 2017-18 school year. Follow all the action of Head coach Tyra Perry's squad right here on FIGHTINGILLINI.com.

Hello Illini fans, my name is Annie Fleming and I'm from Peoria, Illinois. I'm currently an academic senior in the middle of my redshirt year.  After breaking my wrist in late January, I was faced with a choice; I could forego my senior season and continue on with my plans to attend the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Bradley University or I could return for a fifth year with the Fighting Illini. After many weeks of weighing my options, I decided to redshirt and return to the field for the 2018-2019 season.

Ever since I made that decision, every single person has rightfully asked me why I chose to return, but if they knew anything about the Fighting Illini softball program it would not even be a question. This university and this softball program have truly changed my life. I have been challenged each and every day since I stepped on campus in August of 2014, both academically and athletically. I have had my breakdowns and I have had my triumphs, but on either occasion I was supported and encouraged by the incredible people that comprise this first class university and program.

To all of my past teammates, I stay because of you. Your efforts to build this program into what it is today inspire me everyday I walk into the locker room. You all gave me a model for what a Fighting Illini softball player should be: tough, relentless, respectful, hardworking, and ambitious.

To the support staff, I stay because of you. Your encouragement throughout my decision making process means more than you will ever know. Specifically to our Athletic Trainer, Kristen, thank you for not only helping me through this injury physically, but also mentally. Thanks for listening when I needed to get my frustrations out, and for always being my voice of reason.

To my coaches, I stay because of you. You have taught me so much about the game I love, but more importantly you have taught me so much about life. You have taught me how to handle adversity and you have pushed me in ways I never knew I could be pushed. Thank you for caring about me as a person and not just a player.

To my current teammates, I stay because of you. I'm extremely grateful for the support you have shown me this year, and I hope I reciprocated that support to you all throughout this season. I have had a tremendous sense of pride cheering you all on. As I said when I got hurt, our goals never change, but the role I played in reaching them did, and I hope that I fulfilled that role for you all, and that I continue to throughout the rest of the season.

To my future teammates, I stay because of you. I am so excited to share the love I have for this sport and this program with you all. There is so much history here and you get to be a part of pushing this program to places it has never gone before, as long as you trust the process.

Most importantly, I stay because I truly love softball. I love the feeling of squaring a ball up on the barrel or getting dirty on a ball in the 5-6 hole.  I love getting a new opportunity everyday to be the best I can be. I love looking around the field and seeing my best friends beside me as we work towards a common goal. I love stepping between the lines everyday, and that is why I stay.

Stay tuned for the exciting finish to this year! We are preparing everyday and making our big push towards postseason. We plan on making history and we would love for you to be a part of it!

ILL!

Annie Fleming