CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois softball head coach Tyra Perry announced the signing of 10 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent on Wednesday.
Keirys Click // Hobart, Indiana // Hobart High School // Beverly Bandits // Catcher/Utility // 5-3
Notes: Four-year varsity letter winner in softball and two-year varsity letter winner in wrestling… Named first-team all-state in 2023… Four-time all-area and four-time all-conference award winner… Earned the Northwest Crossroads Offensive Player of the Year award… Became the all-time career home runs leader in 2023… First-ever female wrestler to place at the state tournament… Hidden talent is cooking… Favorite athlete is Sis Bates.
Coach Trout on Click:Â "Keirys is a versatile catcher/utility player who brings energy and softball IQ to whichever position she is at on the field. She packs a ton of punch in her bat at the plate and loves to compete. She comes from a top club organization that competes at the highest level in the travel ranks."
Why Illinois? "Once I stepped on campus, it felt like I belonged here. The connections I made with the coaches and players at Illinois was that like no other. It was simple and easy when talking to the coaches. I loved the way they treated me like an actual person and not like some object they need to fill their team. Not only did I love the coaches and players, the facilities and campus are amazing!! It's also close enough to home that my grandparents can watch, but far enough away to have my own space and create a home!"
Fae Cornish // Mustang, Oklahoma // Mustang High School // Aces Fastpitch // Infield/Outfield // 5-3
Notes: Four-year varsity letter winner in softball... Named an all-district selection and Big all-city selection… Led her team to three consecutive regional championships to advance to the state tournament… Batted .519 and added a .968 fielding percentage as a junior… Hidden talent is baking… Named Tyra Perry as her Illini hero.
Coach Perry on Cornish: "Fae has all of the necessary tools to help our program continue to compete at the highest level. Her calm demeanor especially stands out when the game is on the line. She exhibits great range as an outfielder. She joins several other Aces teammates in Orange and Blue."
Why Illinois? "I want to make big changes in the world, and I wanted to find somewhere that wouldn't limit my process in doing so but would help me and even push me to be the change I wish to see. I believe Illinois is the best place to help me do so. The school's diversity is one the most unique and beautiful things I love about the school, and it has no limits. The school strives to be the best, and I also wish to be the best as a person in life as well as an athlete."
Ella Cushing // Downers Grove // Downers Grove South High School // Illinois Chill Gold // 1B // 6-0
Notes: Earned First-Team All-State accolades in 2023 and second-team honors in 2022… Named All-Conference and All-Area from 2022-23… Helped her team to a conference championship from 2021-23… Both parents attended Illinois… Father Matt Cushing played football at Illinois from 1994-98 and with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1999-2004… Hobbies include weightlifting and baking… Hidden talent is braiding hair.
Coach Perry on Cushing:Â "Ella Cushing has spent her entire life cheering on the Illini. She bleeds Orange and Blue, and we are so excited to welcome her into our program. Ella is a true utility in that she pitches and plays first base. Her best asset is her offensive prowess. She swings a big bat and is the person you want at the plate when the game is on the line."
Why Illinois? "I chose Illinois because both of my parents went to Illinois, and I have been coming to football games for as long as I can remember. It has been my dream school since I was little. When I went on my visit and got to know the girls and see the campus, I knew it was the home for me."
Danika Frazier // Danvers, Illinois // Olympia High School // Beverly Bandits // Pitcher // 5-7
Notes: Named to the First-Team All-State in 2023…. Earned Second-Team All-State honors in 2021 and 2022… First-Team All-Conference Honoree from 2021-23… Owns a 51-9 record in the circle while also posting a .511 batting average at the plate… Ranked 17th on Extra Innings Softball Class of 2024 list… Hobbies include reading, baking, and shopping… Favorite athlete is Michael Jordan.
Coach Verdun on Frazier:Â "We are thrilled to be adding Danika Frazier to our Illinois pitching staff next year. She is a highly competitive power pitcher who will change speeds and spin the ball. Danika will be able to make an immediate impact with her competitiveness and ability to attack hitters. The combination of Danika playing travel ball at the highest level nationally along with her work ethic and softball IQ are going to separate her as a force to be reckoned with in the circle. Danika is one of the most talented pitchers in the state, and we couldn't be happier to keep her home to represent the Fighting Illini."
Why Illinois? "I chose University of Illinois because of the high-level academics, the school's atmosphere, the integrity of the coaching staff, and the pride and tradition of being a part of the university."
Ellie Haggard // Bourbonnais, Illinois // Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School // Illinois Chill Gold // Infield // 5-10
Notes: Ranked 60th on Extra Innings Softball Class of 2024 list… Four-year varsity letter winner in softball, volleyball and basketball… Named Second-Team All-State in 2022 and 2023… Earned a first-team all-conference nod and a First-Team All-Area accolade from 2021-23… Holds the Illinois state record for number of grand slams in an inning with two… Holds school records for runs, hits, triples, home runs, RBI, slugging percentage, and OPS… Hidden talent is juggling.
Coach Perry on Haggard:Â "Ellie Haggard has worked extremely hard to maximize her athletic potential. She can play multiple positions in the infield and has an aggressive mindset at the plate. She comes from one of the top travel organizations in the state of Illinois, and I know she will be an asset to our program."
Why Illinois? "I chose Illinois because it will give me the opportunity to represent my home state, and I knew it would challenge me on and off the field. I loved how the coaches not only cared about me as a player but also as a person. The environment really made me feel at home. The softball team works hard and has fun. I can't wait to get started!"
Ava Moore // New Carlisle, Ohio // Tecumseh High School // Iowa Premier // Shortstop // 5-4
Notes: Two-time varsity letter winner… Earned the Allstate Insurance Good Hands award in 2021-22… Named to the All-Central Buckeye Conference team in 2021-22… Batted over .500 in both her freshman and sophomore campaigns… Three-time Ohio State Taekwondo Champion… Credits her parents as those who have influenced her athletic career the most.
Coach Perry on Moore: "Ava was an amazing pickup for us. She is a middle infielder with crazy range and a high softball IQ. She loves the game, and it is evident by the way she plays. Ava comes from a championship caliber Iowa Premier program that has more than prepared her for great success in the Big Ten."
Why Illinois? "I chose Illinois because it felt like home. The coaches and advisors I met with were incredibly welcoming, and they felt like family. The campus is beautiful and has a great atmosphere. Illinois also has amazing athletics facilities! The university is highly competitive both academically and athletically. This combination was something that was very important to me when deciding what college I wanted to attend. Overall, I believe that the University of Illinois is the best place for me to grow as a student and an athlete."
Chaney Peters // Trussville, Alabama // Hewitt-Trussville High School // Fury Platinum National Chiles // Utility // 5-5
Notes: Ranked 18th in 2023 in Extra Innings Class of 2024… Three-time varsity letter winner for softball and a two-time letter winner in flag football… Led her softball team to a state championship in 2023 and a runner-up finish in 2022… Named to the Birmingham All-Metro Second Team and the All-State Second Team as a catcher in 2023… Names father, Grady, as most influential person in her athletic career… Favorite athlete is Joey Votto.
Coach Perry on Peters: "Chaney is a proven winner in that she was a key contributor in leading her high school to a state championship last season. She is very sharp, and she plays the game with ease. We were impressed with Chaney's ability to make pitch-to-pitch adjustments at the plate. She can also play multiple positions, which is an advantage."
Why Illinois? "I love the fact that Illinois is elite academically and athletically. When I visited campus, it seemed like all the students and players were genuinely happy with where they were."
Taylor Porter // Leander, Texas // Leander High School // Texas Bombers // Infield // 5-6
Notes: Four-year varsity letter winner at Leander High School… Batted .346 during her three seasons, so far, tallying 17 home runs and 59 RBIs… Named first-team all-district in 2022 and honorable mention in 2021 and 2023.
Coach Trout on Porter:Â "Taylor is a smooth infielder from a top club organization in Texas and competes nationally. She has great pop in her bat and the ability to hit for power and average. On defense, she is fundamentally sound and has the ability to make extraordinary plays. She is a natural leader with an infectious personality, and we are proud to have her in our program."
Why Illinois? "Illinois has everything I look for when it comes to softball and academics. The coaching staff and team were very welcoming and made it easy for me to see myself playing there. I love the campus and all the amenities as well."
Jackie Yeager // Ashburn, Virginia // Stone Bridge High School // Virginia Glory // Catcher // 6-0
Notes: Ranked the 14th catcher by Extra Innings in 2022… Came in at 24 in 2022 and 33 in 2023 on Extra Innings' Elite list. Named to the PFG Junior All-American watch list… Four-year varsity letter winner… Named first-team all district and second-team all-region as a sophomore and junior… Hobbies include weightlifting, spending time with friends and family, and, of course, playing softball… Favorite athlete is Aaron Judge.
Coach Perry on Yeagar: "I am so pumped about Jackie Yeager! Her overall athleticism will propel her toward becoming a major contributor to our organization and our league. She generally catches but has the ability to compete at the corners as well. Jackie is an aggressive swinger who can hit for both power and average. Her leadership skills will help her excel in all facets of the game."
Why Illinois? "I chose Illinois because of the family culture, and the people were very welcoming and friendly."
Karley Yergler // Mahomet, Illinois // Parkland College // Premier Fastpitch // Pitcher // 5-7
Notes: Named an NJCAA First Team All-American… Received the NFCA NJCAA DIl Rawlings Gold Glove award as a pitcher… Earned the NJCAA Region 24 Player of the Year award… Named MWAC Pitcher of the Year… Owns the NJCAA DII strikeout record with 301… Was a four-year varsity letter winner for Mahomet-Seymour High School… Named second-team all-state twice… Received the honor of News-Gazette Player of the Year in 2022… Led her team to its first-ever appearance at the state tournament… Five relatives are Illinois alumni… Lists sister, Kourtney, as the most influential person in her athletic career.
Coach Verdun on Yergler: "We are so excited to have Karley Yergler joining us next year from Parkland College. Her dominance and accolades at the NJCAA DII level are impressive. Her ability to control the game and create swings and misses will have an immediate impact on our pitching staff. Karley also has experience pitching and hitting at the highest levels of NJCAA, competing at the NJCAA DII World Series this past season. She wants the ball in the big moments, and we love that about her. Karley is an Illinois native, and we are so happy to have her as an Illini!"
Why Illinois? "I chose Illinois because I enjoyed the team's culture, coaches and environment. It is also close to home."
