CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois softball is set to open the 23rd season of competition this weekend, traveling to Baton Rouge, La. for the LSU Tiger Classic from Feb. 11-13 at Tiger Park. The Illini will take on host and 14th-ranked LSU and Central Arkansas twice on the weekend as well as South Alabama in the three-day tournament.
Both LSU games will be available to stream on SEC Network Plus.
OPENING DAY NOTES
- The Illini begin the season at the LSU Tiger Classic for the second time in program history, also opening the 2004 season in Baton Rouge.
- Illinois trails in both series against LSU (2-3) and South Alabama (2-3), while Illinois and Central Arkansas will square off for the first time in program history.
- Illinois returns 18 letter winners and seven starters from the 2021 squad that went 24-20 in the Big Ten conference-only schedule.
- Illinois returns all four All-B1G honorees from last season (Powell, Rummell, Steiner, Vickery).
- Illinois welcomes eight newcomers to the 2022 roster.
- Illini roster by position: pitcher (5), catchers (1), infielders (5), outfielders (4), utility (11).
- Illinois returns last season's leaders in all statistical categories
- Illinois will participate in four-straight non-conference tournaments to begin the season.
- The Illini play 22 games against 12 teams that participated in the NCAA Tournament last season (LSU, South Alabama, Wichita St., Arkansas, Liberty, Clemson, Missouri, Georgia, SIUE, Minnesota, Northwestern, Louisiana-Lafyette).
SCOUTING LSU
LSU enters the 2022 season ranked 14th in the nation in the USA Today/NFCA Coaches Poll. In the 2021 season the Tigers went 35-22 overall, won the Baton Rouge Regional, and made an appearance in their seventh super regional in school history. The Tigers will return 19 players from last season, a team that went 35-22 in what was the toughest strength of schedule among teams who completed a full season. Top returners include All-Americans Taylor Pleasants and Shelbi Sunseri, along with Georgia Clark, Ali Kilponen and Ciara Briggs.
SCOUTING SOUTH ALABAMA
The Jaguars are coming off a campaign that saw them advance to the championship game of the Sun Belt tournament last spring and made the program's fifth NCAA tournament appearance at the Gainesville Regional. The team amassed a 31-21 overall record and return 2021 All-SBC honorees Olivia Lackie, Meredith Keel, Mackenzie Brasher, and Abby Krzywiecki.
SCOUTING CENTRAL ARKANSAS
The Bears enter the 2022 season under new leadership, as Jenny Parsons took over the UCA program prior to the season. The 2021 Bears went 37-19, with returning outfielder Jenna Wildeman earning all-Southland Conference honors last season.
2022 OUTLOOK
Illinois returns 18 letter winners and seven position starters to the 2022 roster, and welcomed eight new members of the Illini family this season. All-B1G honorees Kailee Powell, Delaney Rummell, Avrey Steiner, and Jaelyn Vickery also return to the diamond for the Illini this season.
2021 IN REVIEW
• The Illinois softball team completed the season with a 24-20 record in the B1G conference-only schedule.
• Illinois started the season with two weekends in Leesburg, Fla., posting a 10-2 record with series victories over Rutgers, Michigan State, Penn State, and a doubleheader sweep over No. 17 Michigan.
• The Illini earned seven series wins in 2021, including two wins over ranked opponents, and were the only team to not be beaten by the eventual Big Ten champions (Michigan).
• Junior Sydney Sickels tossed the 14th no-hitter in Illinois softball history in the second game of a doubleheader vs. Penn State on Mar. 13, 2021.
• Illinois ranked top three in the Big Ten in batting average (.276) and hits (324).
• Juniors Kailee Powell (First, All-Defensive), Avrey Steiner (Second), Freshman Jaelyn Vickery (Second, All-Freshman), and Sophomore Delaney Rummell (Second) earn All-Big Ten honors.
• Junior Avery Steiner was named to the NFCA Midwest All-Region First Team.
NEWCOMERS
Illinois welcomes eight newcomers to the 2022 roster, including freshmen Zoe Caryl, Halle Mangurten, Stevie Meade, Macy Krohman, Paige Berkmeyer, Lauren Wiles, and Zoie Howard, while also welcoming in Dayton transfer Megan Ward,
ILLINI HOMECOMING
A standout at LSU as a player, head coach Tyra Perry returns to her alma mater this weekend as a coach. Assistant Coach Lance McMahon will also be returning to his alma mater after earning his master's degree from LSU in 2016, while Director of Operations Michael Palmer also returns after earning a master's degree from the university in 2014.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Illini will open the season with four-straight non-conference tournaments, traveling to Arkansas next weekend for the Razorback Invitational, while also traveling to Louisville and Clemson.
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