Freshman - 2015

• Earned a varsity letter but did not see any action.

High School

• A four-year starter for Lane Tech High School.
• Ranked one of the Top 50 Players by the Chicago Sun Times in 2013.
• Earned an IHSA All-State Academic Team scholarship.
• Played travel ball for the Chicago Fireworks under coaches Kandace and Eugene Lenti.

Personal

• Born Hailey Marie Pieruccini on July 8, 1996.
• Daughter of Kim and Peter Pieruccini.
• Has two older brothers, Jake and Nick, who were both college athletes.
• Jake played baseball at Wabash College in 2011 and Nick played football at Minnesota State in 2012-14.
• Majoring in Advertising.

Getting to Know Hailey

Nickname: Hailz
Career Plans: Work with fashion in the media
Fun Fact: I only have one dimple
Favorite Movie: Heathers
Restaurant you have to get to when going back home: Pequod's Pizza
Favorite Midnight Snack: Strawberries & Nutella
Three things on your "bucket list": Join the Peace Corps, go on a cruise, backflip into the Indian Ocean
What are you most proud of and why? I'm most proud of a club I started at my high school called Lane Buddies. We work with special needs kids after school doing activities and taking them on field trips. It was really rewarding to be able to make a connection with the kids.
Famous person you admire and why? I admire Bill Gates for being so humble. He is a genius as well as a billionaire. Yet, he donates his money to charity and seems like a pretty down to earth guy.
If you were to win $10 million, what would you buy? Property in Costa Rica
Favorite book: Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison
Favorite quote: "Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible'!" -Audrey Hepburn
Favorite ice cream flavor: Coffee
Weirdest quirk: I have to have all my fingers cracked before I do something.
If you could have a super power, what would it be and why? If I could have any super power it would be shutting my eyes and teleporting anywhere. I have a bad track record of being late and city traffic never helps.
Favorite athlete: Anthony Rizzo
Favorite professional sports team: Chicago Cubs
Favorite TV Show: The Office
Favorite Musical Group: Vampire Weekend
If you could visit any place in the world, where you you choose and why? I would visit Belgium so I can view the beautiful architecture and embrace the unique culture all while shoving my face with their delicious chocolate .
Secret talent: I can shape my tongue into a clover.
Favorite subject in high school: English
Crazy thing you dream of doing someday: Owning a Mango Farm/Dog Shelter in Mexico
Who did you idolize growing up: My Coach Kandace Lenti
Why Illinois? I chose Illinois because of the great academics. It was a plus that they also have Division I athletics and a huge diverse campus. To top it off, it's right here in my home state making it more affordable than other schools. Not to mention that I'm the perfect distance from my parents, not too far that i cant come but not too close that they are coming and doing my laundry every weekend. Not that that'd be a bad thing actually.