2018 Softball Roster
Jersey Number 52
Jill Nicklas
- Position:
- Outfield
- Height:
- 5-4
- Class:
- Senior
- Hometown:
- McKinney, Texas
- High School:
- McKinney Boyd
Junior - 2017
- Big Ten Distinguished Scholar
- Academic All-Big Ten
- Fighting Illini Spirit Award
- Saw action in 32 games, starting three contests
- .250 BA, 13 R, 3 H, 1 2B, 3 RBI, 3-of-3 SB, .357 OBP
- .833 fielding percentage, 5 PO
- Played in three of the four NCAA Regional games, starting two and contributing a hit and an RBI vs. Marshall (May 20)
- Knocked her second-career hit for her second-career RBI at Northwestern (May 3)
- Posted her first career double against LIU (March 17)
- Registered her first career RBI on a fielder’s choice against Kennesaw State (February 25)
- Made first career start in right field in the season opener against North Carolina (February 10)
Sophomore - 2016
- Academic All-Big Ten
- Big Ten Sportsmanship Award
- Appeared in 34 games, mainly as a pinch runner
- 10 R, 7-of-10 SB
Freshman - 2015
- Appeared in 24 games as freshman, primarily as a pinch runner.
- Scored eight runs and registered three stolen bases.
- Saw action off the bench in the outfield in four games.
- Pinch ran twice at the Red and Black Showcase and made her first appearance in the field playing left for the final inning against Coppin State.
- Stole third base and scored as a pinch runner against UT-Martin.
- Stole second and scored as a pinch runner against Georgia Southern.
- Stole second and scored as a pinch runner against Western Illinois.
High School
- Played four seasons of softball for McKinney Boyd High School.
- Started 152 consecutive varsity games.
- Hit at least .380 all four years, totaling 15 home runs, 34 triples, 47 doubles, 140 RBI, 199 runs and 120 stolen bases.
- Posted a career-best .521 on base percentage and .825 slugging percentage as a freshman.
- Four-time first-team all-district (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014).
- 2014 District 10-5A Defensive Player of the Year.
- 2013 Texas 5A All-State.
- 2013 Dallas Morning News All-Area .
- Three-time Academic All-District selection.
- Led the Broncos to three-straight District and Area Championships in 2012-14, including a trip to the regional semifinals in 2013.
- Played travel ball for Team Mizuno-Impulse.
- Placed third at the PGF 16U Tournament in 2012 and ninth at ASA Gold Championships in 2013.
Personal
- Born Jill Marie Nicklas on Sept. 5, 1995.
- Daughter of Jeff and Holly Nicklas.
- Has three sisters, Annie, Carly and Paige.
- Father Jeff played football for the 1983 National Champion Augustana Vikings.
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
