CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois softball concluded its fall slate with a strong 7-1 record, playing all eight games at Eichelberger Field.
The Fighting Illini earned their first pair of victories against Illinois Wesleyan (7-1) and Heartland (9-0), before topping Danville in a midweek contest (10-3). The squad's winning ways continued against Southwestern Illinois (14-0) and Indiana State (6-3) and they tallied one final win against Kaskaskia on Oct. 5 (14-1).
During the Orange and Blue World Series (OBWS), Orange came out on top with a 3-0 sweep, narrowly winning the last two games by one run each. Junior Eileen Donahue excelled throughout fall play, named as a Player of the Game for five different contests.
Hear from Donahue, Megan Nuechterlein, Skylar Brennan and Karley Yergler about their fall ball experiences, along with assistant coach Brendan Goler, associate head coach Laura Trout and head coach of Illinois Softball, Tyra Perry.
This fall was really good for us! We've been growing closer on and off the field and our team chemistry is really strong. Every day in practice we push one another to get better. Everyone is locked in and excited for what's to come in the spring!
This fall was full of development and growth. It's good to see all of the returners and new players mesh so well on and off the field. This fall went really well and it was a super good start to build off of for the spring time. We have been working a lot on doing everything with intention and purpose. We've been working super hard at practice while still having fun and that's such an important piece. My favorite part of the fall was our first game because it was nice taking everything we've been doing in practice and applying it in the game. It was also super nice being able to get on the field with all my teammates. I can't wait to keep working hard and preparing everyday with the team for the spring season.
This fall wasn't about outcomes, it was about discovering our identity, growing together, and setting the foundation for something great.
This fall the team came together to play our first games and it was so exciting! We played a lot of good competition this fall and that allowed us to show each other what we can do when we play as a team. We were able to learn a lot about each other and ourselves this fall that will help us succeed this spring. I am excited to see how we will all continue growing!
"Overall, I believe that we had a very strong fall season. As a coaching staff, we had a goal of fostering a competitive environment that focused on a culture of being tough, smart and dependable. After reflecting on our fall competitions and our practices, it is clear that our program has made successful strides towards those goals. Our student-athletes attacked their fall opportunities with these mindsets which we firmly believe will help us in achieving our goals in the spring. Our eight new additions transitioned seamlessly into the team and immediately helped elevate our program in terms of depth, competitiveness and talent. With the leadership we returned from last year, we are excited to continue to train and compete this spring!"
We saw a lot of growth and embracing of the developmental process this fall. Our returners really led by example across the board offensively and defensively. We saw a lot of great things from the newcomers who will be key pieces this spring.
I am very pleased with our fall efforts and training sessions so far. Our focus has been on playing team-oriented, consistent, and fundamentally sound softball. Each player has embraced the challenge of maximizing their individual skill set, and we've made team bonding and cohesion a top priority. It's been a rewarding experience getting to know each player and watching them grow both individually and as a unit.
One standout this fall has been Eileen Donahue. She is one of the hardest workers on the team and leads by example every day. Her approach at the plate has shown great improvement, and she continues to strengthen our defense with solid, dependable play at first base.
Our pitching staff also showed a lot of promise throughout the fall. Each pitcher demonstrated the ability to command their best pitches and effectively mix speeds and locations in any count. We saw especially strong work from Abby Sabalaskey during the OBWS, and I'm excited to watch her talent continue to develop as she grows more comfortable within our system.
Looking ahead to the next eight-hour training period, we plan to hit the weight room with purpose and focus. This next phase will give us a great platform to continue refining the little things and laying the groundwork for a strong spring season.
