2026 Softball Roster
Jersey Number 98
Ella Cushing
- Position:
- Infielder
- Height:
- 6-0
- Class:
- Sophomore
- Hometown:
- Downers Grove, Ill.
- High School:
- Downers Grove HS
Sophomore - 2026
- Appeared in 30 games, starting six as designated plater
- Added lone double of the season in game one against UCLA (4/10/26)
- Notched seven total hits, two runs, and two RBI
- Hit by pitch three times, including in consecutive games against SEMO (4/15/26) and Maryland (4/17/26)
Freshman - 2025
- Appeared in 47 games, making 33 starts
- Slashed .255/.464/.323
- Hit first career home run, a grand slam, against Central Michigan (2/21/25)
- Posted four RBI against CMU (2/21/25), NIU (4/23/25) and at Rutgers (4/26/25)
- Second on the team with seven home runs
- Tallied 11 walks including a pair against Michigan State (4/11/25) and Valparaiso (4/16/25)
- Logged five multihit games on the season
High School
- 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
Personal
- Both parents attended Illinois
- Father Matt Cushing played football at Illinois from 1994-98 and with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1999-2004
Illini Softball | Ava Moore Media Availability 1/29/2025
Wednesday, January 29
Illini Softball | Karley Yergler Media Availability 1/29/2025
Wednesday, January 29
Illini Softball | Head Coach Tyra Perry Availability 1/29/2025
Wednesday, January 29
ILLINI SB | Berkmeyer Catching Runners
Tuesday, June 11
