2011 Western Illinois Softball Viewbook by Western Illinois Athletics

2011 LEATHERNECK SOFTBALL

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2011 WESTERN ILLINOIS SOFTBALL VIEWBOOK 4

Meet the Coaching Staff

2011 Preview

Meet the Leathernecks

26 32

2010 Statistics

The Summit League

2010-11 2011 Schedule Schedule

Western Illinois University

Traditions

2011 Western Illinois Softball Viewbook Credits The 2011 Western Illinois Softball Viewbook is a production of the Western Illinois University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and the Athletics Media Services office. It was written and edited by Ryan Bower, Graduate Assistant for Athletics Media Services. Additional assistance was provided by Patrick Osterman, Director of Media Services. Assistance was also provided by Shawna Meaker, Brad Taylor and Cameron Weidenthaler. Special thanks to the Western Illinois softball coaching staff and players.

Photography Photos by Larry Dean, George Hartmann, Sarah Ritter and Caitlin Salmon (WIU Visual Production Center).

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2010-11 QUICK FACTS

General Location............................................Macomb, IL 61455 Founded.................................................................1899 Enrollment...........................................................13,331 Nickname................................... Fighting Leathernecks Colors................ Purple (PMS 2607) & Gold (PMS 116) Home stadium.................... Mary Ellen McKee Stadium Dimensions................ Left: 200, Center: 220, Right:200 Capacity...................................................................550 Conference.................................... The Summit League Affiliation............................................... NCAA Division I President............................................Dr. Alvin Goldfarb Alma mater.................................Queens College, 1972 Director of Athletics......................... Dr. Tim Van Alstine Alma mater............................St. Norbert College, 1982 Athletics department phone................... (309) 298-1190 Coaching Staff Head coach....................................... Holly Van Vlymen Alma mater.................................. Western Illinois, 2000 Western Illinois record/season................ 129-127-1/6th Career record/season........................................... Same Office phone..........................................(309) 298-1753 Assistant coach/season............................ Liz Young/1st Assistant coach/season......................Tami Magner/2nd Athletic trainer...................................BreeAnn VanDeer Interim Strength coach...............................Chris Winter Team Information First year.............................1953 (2010 is 58th season) All-time record............................... 1,061-1,115-3 (.487) Overall record last year........................................ 35-19 .............................................(H: 12-4/A: 13-10/N: 10-5) Summit League record last year/finish..............19-2/1st Starters returning/lost................................................6/3 Pitchers returning/lost................................................1/2 Sports Information/Media Services Director...............................................Patrick Osterman Softball Contact..........................................Ryan Bower E-Mail.............................................. rp-bower@wiu.edu Office phone/fax...........(309) 298-1133/(309) 298-2060 Cell phone.............................................(610) 763-2713 Mailing address........1 University Circle â&#x20AC;˘ 213 Western Hall .........................................................Macomb, IL 61455 Radio Information Flagship Station........................... WIUS 88.3 (Macomb) Play-by-Play Announcer.......................... Julio Rausseo

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HEAD COACH HOLLY VAN VLYMEN

9 years of Division I coaching experience • 129-127-1 Career Record as Head Coach (5 years) • 72-25 Record against Summit League opponents • Coached Western Illinois to its first NCAA Tournament win in program history 3-1 vs. Drake (5/17/08) • 3 Summit League Regular-Season Titles 2007, 2009, 2010 • 1 Summit League Tournament Title 2008 • Three-time Summit League “Coach of the Year” 2007, 2009, 2010 • Has coached 26 players to All-League honors • Has coached 50 Academic All-League Honorees • Coached Five CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine All-District Selections • Coached Kamren Ferguson to the 2007 and 2009 Summit League Pitcher of the Year Awards • Coached Jamie Goss (2009) and Lauren Furgala (2007) to The Summit League Freshman of the Year Awards • Served as an Assistant Coach at Iowa for four seasons and helped the Hawkeyes to the 2003 Big Ten title • Helped coach two Big Ten Pitchers of the Year while at Iowa and two NFCA All-Americans. • Played professionally for the Ohio Pride of the Women’s Professional Softball League

• Click Here for Coach Van Vlymen’s Bio • www.GoLeathernecks.com

YEAR-BY-YEAR COACHING RECORD Overall Conference 35-19 19-2 34-19 21-2 15-33 9-10 23-23 11-2 22-33-1 12-9 33-12 11-3 39-24 14-6 44-15 13-4 36-20 12-4 49-14 16-4 129-127-1 72-25

Conference Finish 1st 1st 5th 1st 3rd 2nd 3rd 1st 3rd 2nd

Westernâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2010 senior class of Kamren Ferguson (22), Lauren Furgala (8), Julie DePolo (25) and Lori Pankratz (15) helped the Leathernecks to three Summit League Regular-Season Titles in four seasons.

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HEAD COACH HOLLY van vlymen

Year School Position 2010 Western Illinois Head Coach 2009 Western Illinois Head Coach 2008 Western Illinois Head Coach 2007 Western Illinois Head Coach 2006 Western Illinois Head Coach 2005 Augustana Asst. Coach 2004 Iowa Asst. Coach 2003 Iowa Asst. Coach 2002 Iowa Asst. Coach 2001 Iowa Asst. Coach Head Coaching Totals (5 years)

What is your leadership style and coaching philosophy?

Q&A WITH COACH VAN VLYMEN

My leadership style is cooperative, I like to get feedback from my staff and players and then make the best decision for the team. I like to work situations through with my staff and team so everyone learns why we do things a certain way and to allow them to have some ownership. I coach to teach my student-athletes how to develop into successful young adults. Through coaching I will instill life lessons and skills that are keys to success. I hope to instill accountability, determination, responsibility, communication and problem solving skills in our student-athletes. I will help my student-athletes take chances while trusting and believing in themselves by pushing them a little further than they thought they could be pushed both mentally and physically. I hope to help my student-athletes reach their dreams by teaching them about sport and life in general.

What types of goals and expectations have you set for the team this year? Academically, our goal is to continue to achieve around a 3.4 cumulative GPA while competing for the Summit League Championship. I expect our players to buy into the team and always put their teammates first. Our student-athlete’s focus needs to be on making themselves and their teammates better every day (in games or practices) in every aspect. Our goal of being regular season and tournament champions will take care of itself if we focus on the process, take advantage of every training session and play as a team.

Describe the ideal Western Illinois softball player? The ideal Western Illinois softball player has great character both off and on the field, takes her academics seriously and enjoys giving back to our community. She will also have passion for the game, will love to compete day in and day out, will push her teammates to be the best they can be and is a true team player carrying on the family tradition of Leatherneck Softball.

How will the loss of last years seniors effect this year’s squad? It will definitely be different not having Julie, Kamren, Lauren and Lori on the field this year. However, we have some fine players that will step in a do a great job. On the mound we’ve got three great pitchers this year in Ashley Campbell, Kelsey Michelini and Hailey Bickford. All three of them bring a different look to the mound and will be new to our Summit League opponents. Anna Copeland, Hannah Frenell and Emma Jarrell will round out the middle infield. All three have tremendous range, good arms and are great on the bases. Megg Kelly and Briana Williams will be solid at the third base position. They are both great players that bring two totally different looks to the game. Our upperclassmen this year is doing a great job of leading our newcomers, with their leadership and our newcomers athleticism and passion we will keep the Leatherneck softball tradition alive.

How does a tough non-conference schedule prepare you for Summit League action? I usually like to schedule tough competition to start the season to make sure our team is ready for the tough conference season. We play different teams from conferences all over the country, as well as teams that have been to the Women’s College World Series, to expose our team to higher level of competition to raise our competition level. This way when we get to conference games and the conference tourney we are ready to go. We also want to play teams that we will potentially face in post season play.

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Liz Young joined the Western Illinois softball staff in December of 2010 as an assistant coach. She serves as the team’s hitting instructor and will also work closely with the outfielders and catchers while also assisting in recruiting and other day-to-day operations. Young came to Western Illinois after spending time as a coach at both the college and high school levels. She previously served as the head coach at Nordonia High School in Macedonia, Ohio before joining the Fighting Leathernecks. Young also served as an assistant coach at the University of New Mexico from 2007-09 where she was responsible for developing practice plans, coaching the outfielders and assisting with other day-to-day operations. She graduated from the University of New Mexico in 2009 as a double-major in American Sign Language Interpreting and Intercultural Communications. Young also played for the Lobos from 2005-06 where she was a two-time Academic All-Mountain West and set the program’s single-season record for most runners caught stealing. She started in 94 games in two seasons at New Mexico after transferring from Kent State. In addition to her collegiate playing career, Young also played professionally for the Akron Racers of the National Pro Fastpitch League during the 2010 season. Young also served as the publicity manager/camp instructor for the Got Bustos? softball camps, an instructional camp run by two-time Olympic Gold Medalist and former Team USA member Crystl Bustos. During her time with the camp, Young was responsible for managing all schedules, contracts and budget aspects of the camp as well as providing instruction in all areas of the game. She has also served as a softball instructor and strength and agility coach for the Albuquerque Baseball Academy where she helped athletes develop and refine their skills while also developing strength and conditioning workouts for both men’s baseball and women’s softball teams. Young has also worked as a camp instructor for several college camps.

ASSISTANT COACH Liz young

Click Here for Coach Young’s Bio

Off the field, Young served as a student-athlete mentor at New Mexico where she provided academic support by scheduling tutoring sessions and mentoring student-athletes. She also served as the President of New Mexico’s Student Athlete Advisory Council and was the chair of the Mountain West S.A.A.C. while she was a student. The Las Vegas native has also been highly active in community service projects having logged over 200 hours as a sign language interpreter during her time at New Mexico.

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ASSistant coach TAMI MAGNER

Click Here for Coach Magner’s Bio

Tami Magner entered her first year as an assistant softball coach in July of 2009 after serving as an assistant for a season at Luther College. In 2010, Magner assisted in helping the Fighting Leathernecks to their second consecutive conference title as they posted a 35-19 overall record and a 19-2 mark in conference action. She also assisted in coaching five players to Summit League honors in Colleen Biebel, Julie DePolo, Kamren Ferguson and Beth Golitko to first-team accolades and Lori Pankratz to second-team honors. At Luther, Magner instructed the student-athletes on hitting and served as the primary coach for the catchers. She also assisted in coaching the team to a 35-11 overall record and a bid to the NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament for the second consecutive season. Magner played for Luther from 2005-08 where she finished her career as the school’s all-time leader in RBIs (136) and home runs (37) while ranking in the top three all-time in five other statistical categories. She also earned all-Iowa Conference first-team honors in 2007 and 2008 as well as being selected to the NFCA All-American second team in 2007 and the NFCA All-American first team in 2008. The Waukon, Iowa native earned bachelor’s degrees in physical education and health from Luther in 2008. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in recreation, parks and tourism administration.

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Lauren Furgala is in her first season as a student assistant coach with the Western Illinois softball team after completing one of the most prolific careers in Fighting Leatherneck history. Furgala will assist the team with individual and team practice sessions, as well as other day-to-day operations. A four-year letterwinner for the Leathernecks from 200710, Furgala finished her career at Western ranked sixth in program history in doubles (43) and RBI (97), eighth in home runs (14) and fourth in stolen bases (58). A former shortstop, Furgala was named as The Mid-Continent Conference (now Summit League) Freshman of the Year in 2007 and finished her career ranked 10th in league history in doubles, 13th in stolen bases and 18th in RBI. She twice earned the league’s “Player of the Week” award during her career and was also selected to the league’s All-Tournament team in 2007, 2009 and 2010. Furgala earned All-Summit League Second Team honors as a junior and was named to the Academic All-League team four times. Furgala was part of a class that helped the Leathernecks win three regular-season conference titles in four years. She was also part of a squad that won The Summit League tournament title in 2008. That season, the Leathernecks recorded their first-ever NCAA Tournament win in a 3-1 victory over Drake on May 17. As a senior, Furgala batted .306 with three homers and 23 RBI while starting in all 54 games for the Leathernecks. She was also named as a CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine All-District V First Team Selection. During her career, Furgala played in 200 games, making 199 career-starts. The Downers Grove, Ill., native is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in biology.

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Student Assistant Coach lauren furgala

Click Here for Coach Furgala’s Bio

SUPPORT STAFF

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#4 Ryleigh Sears OF • L/R 5-3 • Fr Beach Park, Ill.

#5 Hailey Bickford P/UT • R/R 5-6 • Fr Maquoketa, Iowa

#6 Erin Schlotfeldt C/DP • R/R 5-9 • Sr DeWitt, Iowa

#7 Beth Golitko OF • L/L 5-7 • Sr LaGrange, Ill.

#9 Colleen Biebel OF • L/R 5-2 • Sr Alsip, Ill.

#10 Michelle Prieto OF • L/R 5-3 • Sr Chicago, Ill.

#11 Megan Kelly IF • R/R 5-3 • Fr Worth, Ill.

#12 Nikki Marinec C • R/R 5-8 • Sr Alsip, Ill.

#14 Anna Copeland IF • R/R 5-2 • Sr East Moline, Ill.

#15 Monica Rondón C/UT • L/L 5-6 • Fr Champaign, Ill.

#18 Alex Pflieger C • R/R 5-7 • So Bloomington, Ill.

#23 Julia Katsaros #24 Ashley Campbell OF • L/L OF/P • R/R 5-3 • So 5-6 • Jr Willowbrook, Ill. Indianapolis, Ind.

#20 Briana Williams #21 Kelsey Michelini #22 Emma Jarrell IF • R/R UT • L/R P/IF • R/L 5-4 • Fr 5-3 • Fr 6-1 • So Orland Park, Ill. Oklahoma City, Okla. Peru, Ill.

#27 Sandy Moore OF • S/R 5-1 • So Macomb, Ill.

#33 Jamie Goss IF • R/R 5-4 • Jr Indianapolis, Ind.

#34 Hannah Frenell IF • R/R 5-3 • Jr Coal Valley, Ill.

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2011 leatherneck roster

#00 Bria Jones UT • R/R 5-6 • Fr Robbins, Ill.

2011 Preview

SEASON PREVIEW

March 5 & 6. The Leathernecks will play two games each against the host Bobcats The Fighting Leathernecks will look to and Cleveland State. continue their recent successful run atop The 2011 home-opener will also double as The Summit League. the team’s Summit League opener when it Western Illinois is coming off its third welcomes league rival Oakland to Macomb Summit League Regular-Season title since on March 11-12. 2007 after finishing 19-2 in league play a year ago.

The Leathernecks will head to the sunny and warm southwest for spring break to Last season, the Leathernecks had five face Arizona (March 15) and UNLV (March All-Summit League selections including 16) before returning to league action at four First Team and one Second Team Southern Utah (March 18-19). honoree. Western steps out of league play again In addition to the success of several of her when it plays host to Wichita State in a players, head coach Holly Van Vlymen was doubleheader on March 23 before IUPUI named as the league’s Coach of the Year comes to town for a weekend series (March 25-26). for the third time. The 2011 season also features upgrades to Mary Ellen McKee Stadium. In addition to a brand new infield surface and warning track, the stadium will receive new wind screens along the fence. The press box will also be re-painted with a brand new look for The Summit League Tournament.

The Schedule The Fighting Leathernecks will again face tough tests in both the non-league and Summit League portions of its schedule. Western will face two teams which advanced to last year’s NCAA Regionals as well as teams from the Big XII, Big Ten, Pac-10 and SEC including nationally ranked teams in Arizona State, Illinois and Missouri. The Leathernecks will begin the season with matchups against Creighton, Iowa State and Valparaiso at the Iowa State Cyclone Invitational in Ames, Iowa from Feb. 11-13. Creighton reached the NCAA Columbia Regional last season.

The team will play at Loyola in a doubleheader on March 29 before welcoming the Iowa Hawkeyes to Macomb on March 30 for a single game. The Leathernecks will then face one of their longest road-stretches of the season with games at UMKC (April 2-3), Bradley (April 6), IPFW (April 8-9) and UNI (April 12). Western Illinois will return home on April 15 for a weekend series against North Dakota State in a rematch of last year’s Summit League Championship. Northern Illinois comes to town on April 15 for a doubleheader before the Leathernecks play host to Centenary in a Summit League series on April 22 & 23. The team’s final league action takes place at South Dakota State on April 29 & 30 before it plays host to Bradley in the regularseason home finale. Western ends its regular-season with doubleheader road match ups at Missouri (May 4) and Illinois (May 7).

The team will then head south to Auburn, Ala., where it will face four different opponents in The Leathernecks will serve as the hosts three days at the Auburn University Tiger for The Summit League Tournament from Invitational from Feb. 18-20. Western will May 12-14 at McKee Stadium. face McNeese State, Western Carolina, Campbell and tournament host Auburn. Returners

Western Illinois heads to Athens, Ohio for the University of Ohio Tournament on

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The Leathernecks return 12 players from

last year’s squad including six seniors.

Ashley Campbell returns for her junior year after playing in 41 games a year ago and tying for the second-most home runs on the team (4). Anna Copeland is back for her second year on the squad. The senior infielder appeared in 22 games last season and started 18 contests. Beth Golitko returns for her final year after leading the team in batting average (.357) and co-leading the team with five homers. She was also named as a First-Team AllLeague selection.

Erin Schlotfeldt will look to close out her career with another Summit League title. She started in 45 of the 50 games in which she played last season and hit three homers while driving in 15 runs.

Newcomers Western Illinois will feature eight new players on its roster this season including seven high school recruits and one junior college player. Hailey Bickford will look to help bolster the pitching staff. Bickford was a four-time All State selection in Iowa and broke nine school records during her high school career.

Emma Jarrell will help solidify the infield Jamie Goss enters her junior year after after helping lead her team to an Illinois leading the team in RBI (34) while batting Class 4A State Title as a senior. .308. She was one of four Leathernecks to start all 54 games a year ago. Bria Jones looks to contribute at the college level after hitting a school record nine home Julia Katsaros is back for her sophomore runs and earning All-Conference honors in season after appearing in 26 games and her final year at the high school level. making eight starts as a freshman. Megan Kelly joins the team after a stellar Nikki Marinec enters her senior season high school career where she was a fourafter starting 53 games last year. Marinec time All-Conference selection and Player of served as the catcher for a pitching staff the Year as a senior. that posted the second-lowest ERA in the league (2.19) and held opponents to a Monica Rondón is expected to help behind league-low in batting average (.222) the plate. She was also a four-time AllConference selection and three-time team Kelsey Michelini returns for her sophomore MVP. year after playing 11 games in the field last season. She also started four times in the Ryleigh Sears will focus entirely on softball pitching circle and finished with a 3-1 record after a four-sport high school career. She as a freshman. was a two-time All-Conference selection and batted a solid .424 as a sophomore. Sandy Moore will enter her sophomore year after appearing in 36 games last year while Briana Williams rounds out the crop of making four starts. She finished the season incoming freshman. Williams was an with three stolen bases in five attempts. All-Conference, All-District and All-State selection as a senior at Midwest City High Alex Pflieger is back for her second year School in Oklahoma. after playing in 14 games as a freshman. She also made one start on the season. Hannah Frenell joins the team after two years at Black Hawk Community College. Michelle Prieto returns for her senior year Frenell was a two-time All-Conference after starting 27 of the 44 games in which selection and earned All-Region honors she appeared in 2010. She was a perfect at Black Hawk. She was a four time All7-for-7 in stolen base attempts a year ago. Conference and All-Area selection as a

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SEASON PREVIEW

Senior outfielder Colleen Biebel is back after a stellar season in which she finished with a .310 batting average and was named as a First Team All-League selection.

#9 Colleen Biebel 14

Click Here for Biebel’s Bio

2010 (Junior): Named to the All-Summit League First Team as an outfielder... selected to 2010 CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine All-District V First Team... batted .310 during the season with 45 hits, 24 runs and 10 RBI... batted .373 during conference only action with 25 hits... posted a six-game hit streak from Feb. 13-21... had a season-high three hits on three occasions... had a five-game hit streak with two or more hits from April 23-30... posted 15 multi-hit games... finished the season ranked 10th in Western Illinois history in career stolen bases (31). 2009 (Sophomore): Named to the All-Summit League Second Team as an outfielder... named to the All-Conference Tournament team... earned Metrodome Classic All-Tournament team honors... posted an 11-game hit streak that extended from April 1-21... had a season-high three hits on three occasions: against Wright State on Feb. 7, South Dakota State on April 24 and Southern Utah on May 9... scored a season-high three runs against Wright State... score two runs in a game on six different occasions... laid down seven sacrifice bunts, the sixth-most in the conference... scored the sixth-most runs in the conference with 33... helped her team set the school record for most runs scored in a season (270) and most RBI in a season (243)... named to The Summit League Winter-Spring Academic All-Conference Team... selected to The Summit League Commissioner’s List of Academic Excellence... helped Western earn NFCA Girls Got Game Top 10 All-Academic Division I honors, posting the nation’s ninth-best team grade point average (3.446) among Division I softball programs... earned NFCA All-American Scholar-Athlete honors for earning a 3.5 GPA or higher.

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2010 (Sophomore): Named as the 2010 Western Illinois Scholar-Athlete of the Week (5/3)... selected to the 2010 Phyliss Rafter Memorial All-Tournament Team... started in 37 contest and played in 41 games... batted .250 on the year with 27 hits, nine runs, four home runs and 19 RBI... recorded six multi-hit games and five multi-RBI games... recorded a .973 fielding percentage in left field, only committing one error... had a career-high five RBI against Tennessee Tech on Feb. 20... posted a four-game hit streak from Feb. 1921. 2009 (Freshman): Earned All-Summit League First Team honors as an outfielder, the only freshman in the conference to earn first-team honors... appeared in 47 games and made 46 starts... missed the last four games of the conference tournament with an injury... recorded a .357 batting average, the fourth best in the conference, and the fifth-best slugging percentage (.608)... drove in the eighth-most RBI in the conference (32) and scored the seventh-most runs (32)... registered the fifth most triples in the conference (4) and hit the sixth most home runs (7)... posted a five-game hit streak from April 10-14... recorded a season-high four hits in a 12-8 win over Southern Utah on April 11... collected three hits in a game on three different occasions... hit two home runs in the 4-0 win over Northern Illinois on April 14... drove in a season-high four RBI against Northern Illinois on April 14 and against SIU-Edwardsville on April 21... hit her first career grand slam against SIU-Edwardsville on April 21... scored a season-high three runs on Feb. 8 against IUPUI and against Minnesota on April 12... posted a 6-2 record in the circle and the second most wins on the pitching staff... threw 24 strikeouts and only allowed 10 walks in 49 innings of work... picked up her first career win against IUPUI, 8-3, in the Country Inn and Suites Softball Invitational on Feb. 8... threw a season-high five strikeouts against Green Bay in the Metrodome Classic on Feb. 13... recorded three complete games and two saves.

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#24 ashley campbell

Click Here for Campbellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bio

#14 anna copeland

Click Here for Copeland’s Bio

2010 (Junior): Started in 18 contests and played in a total of 22 games... picked up her first career hit with the Purple and Gold on April 3 against Green Bay... posted a three-game hit streak from April 3-9... was 3-for-13 at the plate with a .231 batting average... collected a double and recorded one run. At Black Hawk Community College Named to the NJCAA Division II all-American First Team in 2009... helped her team to a 35-7 record during the 2009 season... finished the year with a team-best .479 batting average, 58 hits and 18 doubles as well as driving in 31 RBI and scoring 35 runs... selected to the all-Arrowhead Conference team in 2008 and 2009... named to the all-region team and all-region tournament team in 2009... finished the 2008 season with a .352 batting average with 45 hits, six doubles, 23 RBI and 38 runs... named to the Academic all-conference team from 2008-09... active member of Alpha Beta Gamma, a business honor society, and an active member of Phi Theta Kappa, a national honor society. High School Named to the All-Western Six Conference first team as a catcher during junior and senior seasons... selected to the All-Metro team during junior and senior seasons... selected as the softball team’s most valuable player during senior season... recipient of Thersea Alonzo Panther Spirit Award during senior year... participated in basketball, serving as the team’s captain during junior and senior seasons.

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2010 (Junior): Named to the All-Summit League First Team Selection... named Summit League Player of the Week (4/26)... selected to the Phyliss Rafter Memorial All-Tournament Team... posted a team-best .357 batting average while collecting the second most hits on the team (55)... recorded 26 RBI, nine doubles, five home runs and scored 21 runs... posted a seven-game hit streak from Feb. 19 - March 6... posted 17 multi-hit games and seven multi-RBI games... scored a career-best three runs against IUPUI on March 15... recorded a career-best four hits against IPFW on April 24... was 4-for-5 in stolen bases.

#7 beth golitko

Click Here for Goliktoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bio

2009 (Sophomore): Made 24 starts in 33 appearances... posted the third-best batting average on the team as she hit .342 as well as posting a .589 slugging percentage, second-best on the team... collected 25 hits, 18 RBI and 18 runs... recorded eight doubles, two triples and two home runs... recorded a .463 batting average and a .878 slugging percentage during conference play... posted a ninegame hit streak from April 24-May 2... had a seasonbest three hits, five RBI and two doubles in the 100 (5) win over South Dakota State on April 25... hit her first career home run on May 1 against IPFW as she went 2-for-4 at the plate with two RBI and a run in the 4-0 win... recorded her first career grand slam on May 2 against IPFW as she went 2-for-4 at the plate with four RBI and two runs in the 6-2 victory... earned Summit League Player of the Week honors for the week of May 4 for the first time in her career... helped her team set the school record for most runs scored in a season (270) and most RBI in a season (243)... named to The Summit League Winter-Spring Academic All-Conference Team... selected to The Summit League Commissionerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s List of Academic Excellence.

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#33 jamie goss 18

Click Here for Goss’ Bio

2010 (Sophomore): Named Summit League Player of the Week (3/29)... selected to the Metrodome Classic All-Tournament Team... batted .308 on the year with a team-best 34 RBI... collected 52 hits, scored 15 runs, recorded seven doubles and five home runs... posted a team-best .391 batting average during conference action... recorded a career-high four RBI on two occasions (Feb. 13 & March 26)... posted a 10-game hit streak from April 16 - May 1... recorded 16 multi-hit games and seven multi-RBI games. 2009 (Freshman): Selected as The Summit League’s “Freshman of the Year”... named to the All-Conference Second Team at first base... started in all 53 games for the Purple and Gold... recorded the third-best batting average in the conference (.360) and 10th best slugging percentage (.497)... collected the third-most hits in the conference (63)... drove in 32 base runners and scored 31 runs... registered 10 doubles, four home runs and a triple... recorded five sacrifice flies and three sacrifice bunts... posted a seven-game hit streak from April 18-28... collected a season-high four hits in a 4-0 win over Saint Louis on April 1... recorded three hits in a game on four different occasions... drove in a season-high three RBI in a 10-2 (5) win over UMKC and in a 10-0 (5) win over Centenary on March 27... scored a season-high three runs in a 11-6 win over Saint Louis on April 1... hit her first career home run in a 6-0 win over Oakland on March 21... recorded 426 putouts, 17 assists and only committed nine errors for a team best .980 fielding percentage... finished the year ranked fourth in the Western Illinois record books for most hits in a season with 63... helped her team set the school record for most runs scored in a season (270) and most RBI in a season (243)... named to The Summit League Winter-Spring Academic AllConference Team.

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2010 (Freshman): Played in 26 contests, starting in eight games... was 3-for-17 at the plate with eight runs scored and a triple... made her first career start on March 31 against Illinois State... recorded her first career stolen base on Feb. 19 against Ball State... picked up her first career hit against SIU-Edwardsville on April 2... used as a pinch runner on 13 occasions. High School Finished her junior season with 33 hits, 24 runs and 16 RBI... recorded an on-base percentage of .438 and slugging percentage of .379... named to the all-West Suburban Confernce team as an outfielder and the Suburban Life All-Area team during her junior season... named to the honor roll every semester.

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#23 julia katsaros

Click Here for Katsarosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Bio

#12 nikki marinec 20

Click Here for Marinecâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bio

2010 (Junior): Started in 53 contests for the Purple and Gold... batted .257 on the year with 35 hits, 10 runs, seven doubles and nine RBI... batted .308 during conference action... posted a five-game hit streak from April 23 - May 1... had seven multihit games... only committed one error from behind the plate for a .997 fielding percentage... caught 17 runners stealing. 2009 (Sophomore): Appeared in 51 games and made 50 starts... collected 28 hits and drove in 18 base runners for a .222 batting average... scored 20 runs and was walked 19 times... posted a three-game hit streak from May 8-9... recorded a season-high four hits against Southern Utah on April 10... drove in a season-high three RBI against Saint Louis on April 1 and against Southern Utah on April 10... registered two doubles against South Dakota State on April 24... recorded 238 putouts and 30 assists while only committing six errors... posted a .978 fielding percentage, second-best on the team... caught 14 opposing base runners... helped her team set the school record for most runs scored in a season (270) and most RBI in a season (243)... named to The Summit League Winter-Spring Academic All-Conference Team... selected to The Summit League Commissionerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s List of Academic Excellence. 2008 (Freshman): Named Summit League Tournament co-MVP with teammate Samantha Valentine... one of two Western Illinois players named to the Metrodome Classic All-Tournament Team... appeared in 40 games with 39 starts at catcher. recorded a .279 batting average, the thirdbest average on the team.

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2010 (Freshman): Made eight appearances from the circle, posting a 3-1 record... recorded a 3.66 ERA in 28.2 innings of work... tossed 19 strikeouts and walked six... saw action as a pinch hitter five times... threw a shutout in her first career start on Feb. 21 against Alabama State... was 2-for-11 at the plate with one run and three RBI... collected her first career hit on March 28 against UIC. High School Helped her team to an overall record of 27-7 and conference record of 7-3 during her senior year... finished her junior year with a career .500 batting average with 78 hits and 31 RBI... finished her junior year with a career record of 9-0 from the pitching circle with a 0.53 ERA and 86 strikeouts... named to the All-NCIC conference First Team, All-Area First Team and the All-Conference All-Academic team in 2008... earned All-Metro honors by the Peoria Journal Star... selected as the “Player of the Year” by the News Tribune in 2008... helped her team to regional titles in 2007 and 2008... served as her high school’s representative at the Rotary Club business meetings.

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#21 kelsey michelini

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#27 sandy moore 22

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2010 (Freshman): Played in 36 contests, making four starts... was 1-for-4 at the plate and scored eight runs... recorded her first career hit against Green Bay on April 3... scored her first career run on Feb. 11 against Minnesota... made her first career start against UIC on March 28... used as a pinch runner on 27 occasions. High School” Named to the All-Olympic Conference First Team from 2007-09... selected to the AllConference honorable mention team in 2006... named to the All-Area First Team in 2007 and 2009... named to the All-Area second team in 2007... selected as the team’s “Most Valuable Player” in 2008 and 2009... finished her career as the all-time leader at Macomb High School in stolen bases in a single season with 21... earned four varsity letters in basketball and softball... selected as a member of the National Honor Society from 2006-09... selected to the high honor roll from 2005-09... selected to the academic All-Conference team from 2005-09.

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2010 (Freshman): Played in 14 games, starting in one contest... made her first career start on May 8 against Southern Utah... collected two hits on the year... recorded her first career hit against Mercer on Feb. 19. High School: Finished her junior season with a .344 batting average while recording 32 hits, scoring 14 runs and collecting 22 RBI... posted a .486 on base percentage and a .430 slugging percentage during junior year... named to the Big 12 All-Conference team and academic team during junior season.... member of the National Honor Society.

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#18 alex pflieger

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#10 Michelle prieto 24

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2010 (Junior): Played in 44 contests, making 27 starts... collected 14 hits, scored 11 runs and registered three RBI... was 7for-7 in stolen bases... tied a career high with three hits against Southern Utah on May 7... finished the season ranked 10th in Western Illinois history in career stolen bases (31). 2009 (Sophomore): Made 43 appearances and 40 starts... started at second base five times, the outfield 27 times and the designated player on five occasions... registered 35 hits, 23 runs and 10 RBI with a .302 batting average... recorded a .357 on-base percentage and a .310 slugging percentage... was 10-for-11 in stolen bases... stole a season-high two bases against Miami (Ohio) on March 1 in the Louisville Red and Black Tournament... posted a five-game hit streak from April 25-May 1... started the season with a four-game hit streak from February 7-8... recorded a season-high three hits against Bradley on February 8 in the Country Inn and Suites Softball Invitational... drove in a season-high two runners on April 25 against South Dakota State... scored two runs in six different games... helped her team set the school record for most runs scored in a season (270) and most RBI in a season (243)... named to The Summit League Winter-Spring Academic All-Conference Team... selected to The Summit League Commissioner’s List of Academic Excellence... helped Western earn NFCA Girls Got Game Top 10 AllAcademic Division I honors, posting the nation’s ninth-best team grade point average (3.446) among Division I softball programs.

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2010 (Junior): Played in 50 contests, starting in 45 games... batted .264 with 32 hits, 15 RBI, nine runs and seven doubles... batted .273 in conference action... posted a six-game hit streak from April 30 - May 7... collected five multi-hit games and four multi-RBI games... saw action as a designated player and as a catcher. 2009 (Redshirt-Sophomore): Named to the allSummit League First Team as a designated player... finished the season with 32 hits and 25 RBI for a .239 batting average and a .373 slugging percentage... made 44 starts in 47 appearances for the Purple and Gold... posted a five-game hit streak from February 8-13... collected three hits and two RBI in the season opening victory over Wright State, 11-0 (5), in the Country Inn and Suites Invitational... hit her first home run of the year in the 11-3 victory over Minnesota on February 12, driving in two Western base runners... collected three hits in each game of the doublehearder against Southern Utah on April 10... went 2-for3 at the plate with three RBI in the 4-3 win over North Dakota State on April 17... collected 71 putouts and six assists while only committing four errors for a .951 fielding percentage... helped her team set the school record for most runs scored in a season (270) and most RBI in a season (243)... named to The Summit League Winter-Spring Academic All-Conference Team... selected to The Summit League Commissioner’s List of Academic Excellence... helped Western earn NFCA Girls Got Game Top 10 All-Academic Division I honors, posting the nation’s ninthbest team grade point average (3.446) among Division I softball programs... earned NFCA AllAmerican Scholar-Athlete honors for earning a 3.5 GPA or higher.

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#6 erin schlotfeldt

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meet the newcomers

HIGH SCHOOL: Was a five-time AllConference and four-time All-State selection... earned five varsity letters in high school... broke nine school records during her career... was twice named as the Radio Iowa Player of the Week... five time all-district selection... named as the 2010 Telegraph Herald All-Area softball Player of the Year... named as captain of the inaugural Quad City Times All-Area team... earned AllConference basketball honors three times... broke the school record for single season and career steals... was a three-time AllConference selection and two-time All-State selection in soccer. AT BLACK HAWK C.C.: Was a two-time All-Conference selection... also earned Academic All-Conference honors... was named to the All-Region and All-Region Tournament teams in 2009... named to the NJCAA National All-Tournament Team... batted .322 with 29 RBI and 41 runs scored in 2009... batted .409 with 25 RBI and 44 runs in 2008. HIGH SCHOOL: Was a four-time AllConference and All-Area selection... was an ICA Third Team All-State selection... batted .500 as a senior... named team MVP as a sophomore and senior. HIGH SCHOOL: Was an All-Conference selection as a junior and senior... part of a team that won the 2010 Illinois Class 4A State Title... was 2-for-2 at the plate in the state title game... helped her team to a top eight finish in the state tournament in 2009... also helped her ASA team to a top-25 finish at the Class A U18 national tournament... was a member of the National Honor Society... also played basketball and ran cross country.

HIGH SCHOOL: Was a two-year varsity starter... named as an all-conference selection and team MVP as a senior... hit a singleseason school record nine home runs in her final year... was named as the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Most Improved Player as a junior... also lettered in basketball... earned all-conference and all-area accolades in basketball and served as team captain... also ran cross country.

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HIGH SCHOOL: Was a four-time AllConference selection... was her team’s MVP three times... was a team captain as a junior and senior... named as The News-Gazette all-area “Player of the Year” in 2009... also played tennis and basketball.

AT HIGH SCHOOL: Was a two time AllConference selection... earned All-County honorable mention accolades twice... was an All-Conference honorable mention selection in 2007... batted .424 as a sophomore... played on the 2007 USSSA State All-Tournament team... played on a high school regional championship team... also played on an ASA/USA 18U Class A National Championship team... played four sports in high school... lettered in swimming and softball... also ran cross country and played basketball.

meet the NEWCOMERS

HIGH SCHOOL: Was a four-time AllConference selection... named as conference “Player of the Year” as a senior... named team MVP four times... served as team captain as a junior and senior... also named as the team’s Offensive “Player of the Year” her final two seasons.

HIGH SCHOOL: Was an all-Mid State Conference selection as a senior... also earned Region 8 all-district and all-state honors... was a second team all-state selection... earned First Team All-Conference and Region 8 honors as a junior... named to the All-Conference honorable mention team as a sophomore and a freshman... was a three-year varsity starter... also lettered in track.

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2010 Leatherneck Softball Statistics Summary for Western Illinois (as of Feb 01, 2011) (All games) Record: 35-19

2010 cumulative statistics 28

Date Opponent !2/11 !2/11 !2/12 !2/12 !2/13

2/19 2/19 2/20 2/20 2/21 3/6 3/6 3/7 3/7 *3/13 *3/15 *3/15 3/16 3/16 3/23 3/23 *3/26 *3/26 *3/27 3/28 3/28 3/31 3/31 4/2 4/3 4/3 4/5 *4/9 *4/9 *4/10 *4/16 *4/16 *4/17 4/18 *4/23 *4/23 *4/24 *4/30 *4/30 *5/1 5/5 5/5 *5/7 *5/7 *5/8 *5/14 5/15 5/15 5/15

vs Minnesota vs Minnesota vs Arkansas vs Iowa vs Iowa State vs MERCER vs Ball State vs Tennessee Tech vs Middle Tenn. State vs Alabama State vs Southern Illinois vs SIU-Edwardsville vs Kansas vs Illinois-Chicago at IUPUI at IUPUI at IUPUI at MIAMI at MIAMI at NIU at NIU UMKC UMKC UMKC at Illinois-Chicago at Illinois-Chicago at Illinois State at Illinois State SIU-EDWARDSVILLE GREEN BAY GREEN BAY BRADLEY at Centenary at Centenary at Centenary at North Dakota State at North Dakota State at North Dakota State at Iowa IPFW IPFW IPFW at Oakland at Oakland at Oakland #9 MISSOURI #9 MISSOURI SOUTHERN UTAH SOUTHERN UTAH SOUTHERN UTAH vs SDSU at North Dakota State IPFW at North Dakota State

L W W L W W W W L W W L L W W W W W W L L W W W L W L L L W L W W W W L W L L W W W W W W L L W W W W L W L

Home: 12-4

Away: 13-10

Score

Player

1-2 4-2 5-4 1-2 5-4 4-0 6-2 14-0 0-3 9-0 2-1 1-2 0-3 3-1 7-0 5-0 8-2 5-1 5-3 0-4 0-2 3-2 11-3 7-5 1-3 6-3 2-9 0-6 1-9 4-0 5-8 4-2 6-0 2-0 2-1 4-7 4-2 2-4 0-8 6-0 1-0 3-2 5-2 8-0 2-0 1-5 1-7 11-3 5-4 4-3 4-0 0-4 1-0 2-3

Beth Golitko Julie DePolo Colleen Biebel Jamie Goss Lauren Furgala Erin Schlotfeldt Nikki Marinec Ashley Campbell Lori Pankratz Michelle Prieto -------------------Megan Salvatori Sandy Moore Anna Copeland Kelsey Michelini Julia Katsaros Alex Pflieger

Neutral: 10-5

Summit: 19-2

avg gp-gs 50-47 54-54 45-45 54-54 54-54 50-45 53-53 41-37 54-54 44-27

rbi

bb hbp

so sb-att

154 184 145 169 173 121 136 108 155 70

21 43 24 15 28 8 10 9 16 11

55 65 45 52 53 32 35 27 38 14

9 13 4 7 14 7 7 3 7 0

0 5 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0

5 5 0 4 3 3 1 4 3 0

26 18 10 34 23 15 9 19 22 3

4 10 4 12 7 4 9 0 8 7

0 3 2 5 3 6 2 0 1 0

17 4-5 13 10-14 14 1-2 10 0-0 20 9-15 26 0-0 21 1-1 32 0-0 16 2-2 17 7-7

.500 2-0 .250 36-4 .231 22-18 .182 11-4 .176 26-8 .154 14-1

2 4 13 11 17 13

0 8 1 1 8 0

1 1 3 2 3 2

0 0 1 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 1 0

0 0 0 1 0 0

1 0 0 3 0 0

0 3 1 1 0 0

0 0 0 1 0 0

.357 .353 .310 .308 .306 .264 .257 .250 .245 .200

Totals

.290

1475

203

428

183

Opponents

.222

1371

143

305

118

105

1 2 4 2 3 7

0-0 3-5 0-1 1-1 1-1 0-0 205 39-54 326 26-44

LOB - Team (329), Opp (283). DPs turned - Team (11), Opp (15). IBB - Team (2), Goss 1, DePolo 1. Picked off - Biebel 1, Pankratz 1, Katsaros 1, Moore 1, DePolo 1. Player

Kamren Ferguson Lori Pankratz Kelsey Michelini

era

w-l

1.96 22-12 2.28 10-6 3.66 3-1

app gs cg sh sv

36 33 30 10 20 15 11 1 8 4 2 1

1 0 1

225.0 174 110.2 101 28.2 30

76 49 18

63 36 15

61 206 38 101 6 19

Totals

2.19

35-19

364.1

305

143

114

105

326

Opponents

2.97

19-35

360.1

428

203

153

205

PB - Team (6), Marinec 5, Schlotfeldt 1, Opp (8). Pickoffs - Team (2), Marinec 2, Opp (5). SBA/ATT - Marinec (24-41), Ferguson (12-22), Pankratz (8-16), Michelini (6-6), Schlotfeldt (2-3). Score by innings Western Illinois Opponents

1 41 24

2 36 24

3 27 13

4 20 24

5 21 22

6 21 25

7 30 8

8 0 1

9 EX 1 6 1 1

Total 203 143

Win-loss breakouts: Day 34-16; Night 1-3; vs Left 7-2; vs Right 28-17; 1-run games 10-4; 2-run games 8-3; 5+run games 10-5; Extra inns 2-1; Shutouts 14-7. Current streak: Lost 1; Longest winning streak: 6; Longest losing streak: 3. Attendance: Home 4124 (avg 257); Away 6581 (avg 173); Total 10705 (avg 198).

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2010 Leatherneck Softball Statistics Summary for Western Illinois (as of Feb 01, 2011) (Summit games only) Record: 19-2

*3/15 *3/15 *3/26 *3/26 *3/27 *4/9 *4/9 *4/10 *4/16 *4/16 *4/17 *4/23 *4/23 *4/24 *4/30 *4/30 *5/1 *5/7 *5/7 *5/8

at IUPUI at IUPUI at IUPUI UMKC UMKC UMKC at Centenary at Centenary at Centenary at North Dakota State at North Dakota State at North Dakota State IPFW IPFW IPFW at Oakland at Oakland at Oakland SOUTHERN UTAH SOUTHERN UTAH SOUTHERN UTAH

W W W W W W W W W L W L W W W W W W W W W

Score

Player

7-0 5-0 8-2 3-2 11-3 7-5 6-0 2-0 2-1 4-7 4-2 2-4 6-0 1-0 3-2 5-2 8-0 2-0 11-3 5-4 4-3

Jamie Goss Colleen Biebel Julie DePolo Beth Golitko Lori Pankratz Nikki Marinec Lauren Furgala Michelle Prieto Erin Schlotfeldt Ashley Campbell -------------------Megan Salvatori Kelsey Michelini Julia Katsaros Anna Copeland Alex Pflieger Sandy Moore Totals Opponents

Away: 10-2

Summit: 19-2

avg gp-gs 21-21 21-21 21-21 21-19 21-21 20-20 21-21 17-11 19-15 15-13

rbi

69 67 73 65 65 52 64 28 44 38

7 13 23 11 9 6 14 5 4 4

27 25 26 22 20 16 19 8 12 9

4 1 5 2 4 4 4 0 3 0

1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

3 0 3 4 2 1 3 0 2 2

21 6 9 13 11 5 11 2 7 6

4 4 6 2 1 6 5 4 0 0

1 0 3 0 1 1 1 0 3 0

1 3 6 7 5 0

0 1 5 0 0 4

1 1 1 1 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 1 0 0 0

0 1 0 0 0 0

1 2 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0

587 106 188 525 40 100

27 19

3 1

21 3

94 30

32 38

.391 .373 .356 .338 .308 .308 .297 .286 .273 .237 1.000

.333 .167 .143 .000 .000 .320 .190

1-0 4-2 11-3 8-7 5-1 14-0 21 21

bb hbp

so sb-att 6 0-0 6 1-1 1 5-7 8 1-2 7 1-1 7 0-0 9 6-7 6 4-4 10 0-0 13 0-0

0 1 2 3 4 0

0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-2 10 83 19-24 6 150 7-14

LOB - Team (131), Opp (108). DPs turned - Team (7), Opp (5). IBB - Team (1), DePolo 1. Picked off - DePolo 1, Pankratz 1, Biebel 1. Player

Lori Pankratz Kamren Ferguson -------------------Kelsey Michelini Totals Opponents

era

w-l

0.88 6-0 1.42 13-2 0.00

0-0

1.22 3.86

19-2 2-19

app gs cg sh sv

8 6 4 16 14 12

1 5

0 1

21 21 16 21 21 9

8 0

2 0

47.2 93.1

34 66

13 25

6 19

11 49 26 100

3.0

144.0 100 40 138.0 188 106

25 76

38 150 32 83

PB - Team (3), Marinec 3, Opp (6). Pickoffs - Team (1), Marinec 1, Opp (3). SBA/ATT - Marinec (7-14), Ferguson (6-9), Pankratz (1-5). Score by innings Western Illinois Opponents

1 23 4

2 18 4

3 18 6

4 9 2

5 7 17

6 9 4

7 20 2

8 0 0

9 EX 1 1 1 0

Total 106 40

Win-loss breakouts: Day 19-2; Night 0-0; vs Left 5-0; vs Right 14-2; 1-run games 6-0; 2-run games 4-1; 5+run games 8-0; Extra inns 1-0; Shutouts 8-0. Current streak: Won 9; Longest winning streak: 9; Longest losing streak: 1. Attendance: Home 2203 (avg 244); Away 1289 (avg 107); Total 3492 (avg 166).

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2010 Summit league statistics

Date Opponent *3/13

Home: 9-0

THE SUMMIT LEAGUE

As The Summit League concludes its third decade as an NCAA Division I athletics conference, the ascending level of performance among the 10 member institutions and over 3,000 student-athletes in 19 championship sports continues. Now in its 29th year, The Summit League is in the midst of a renaissance, both on the playing field and in the classroom. During the 2009-10 academic year, the League produced a national champion, 11 All-Americans, eight Academic All-Americans and 33 Academic All-District honorees. During the 2010 season, Western Illinois won its third Summit League RegularSeason title in four years, finishing 35-19 overall and 19-2 in league play. The Leathernecks saw five players earn All-Summit League honors and head coach Holly Van Vlymen was named as the league’s Coach of the Year for the third time in five seasons. Academically, six Summit League teams were bestowed with the NCAA Public Recognition Award, an honor given to teams that have a Division I Academic Progress Rate (APR) in the top 10 percent of all squads in their respective sports. IPFW led with three teams on the list, including men’s cross country, women’s golf and volleyball, while another trio of teams, UMKC volleyball, North Dakota State women’s golf and Oakland women’s golf, also received accolades. Originally formed in 1982 as the Association of Mid-Continent Universities and later known as the Mid-Continent Conference, The Summit League is in its fourth year of a rebranding that followed its 25th anniversary and coincided with the Summit Plan, a strategic plan that places a renewed emphasis on improving the academic and athletic performances of all league student-athletes.

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The Summit League has a combined enrollment of more than 125,000 at 10 member institutions: Centenary College of Louisiana, IPFW (Indiana University-Purdue University-Fort Wayne), IUPUI (Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis), UMKC (University of Missouri-Kansas City), North Dakota State University, Oakland University, Oral Roberts University, South Dakota State University, Southern Utah University and Western Illinois University. In April 2009, the University of South Dakota accepted an invitation to join the league with full membership beginning in 2011-12 and currently serves as an associate member for swimming and diving. The League has one additional associate member in Eastern Illinois University, which currently competes in swimming and diving and will join in men’s soccer in 2011. These member institutions pride themselves on providing quality athletic, academic and social experiences for their student-athletes.

THE SUMMIT LEAGUE

Included in the plan was the league’s new name, the creation of a new image and the addition of three member institutions.

The Summit League sponsors 19 championship sports: baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s soccer, softball, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, men’s and women’s indoor track and field, men’s and women’s outdoor track and field, men’s and women’s tennis, and volleyball. The league champion receives automatic bids to the NCAA Tournament in all applicable sports.

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2011 schedule

3FEBRUARY 11 & 13 2:30 p.m. & 9 a.m. • Ames, Iowa

FEBRUARY 11 & 12 7:30 p.m. & 2:30 p.m. • Ames, Iowa

FEBRUARY 12 12 p.m. • Ames, Iowa

FEBRUARY 18 5:30 p.m. • Auburn, Ala.

8 p.m. • Auburn, Ala. 12:30 p.m. • Auburn, Ala.

11:30 a.m. • Auburn, Ala. 9 a.m. • Athens, Ohio

MARCH 5 & 6 MARCH 11 & 12

MARCH 15 MARCH 16

MARCH 18 & 19 11 a.m. • Cedar City, Utah

MARCH 23 3 p.m. • MCKEE STADIUM

5 p.m. • Tempe, Ariz. 5 p.m. • Las Vegas, Nev.

2 p.m. & 11:30 a.m. • Athens, Ohio 3 p.m. & 12 p.m. • MCKEE STADIUM

FEBRUARY 20 MARCH 5 & 6

FEBRUARY 18 FEBRUARY 19

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MARCH 25 & 26 3 p.m. & 12 p.m. • MCKEE STADIUM

MARCH 29

3 p.m. • Chicago, Ill.

MARCH 30 4 p.m. • MCKEE STADIUM

APRIL 2 & 3

12 p.m. • Kansas City, Mo.

APRIL 6 & MAY 3

6 p.m. & 4 p.m. • East Peoria, Ill. & MCKEE STADIUM

APRIL 8 & 9 2 p.m. & 10:30 a.m. • Fort Wayne, Ind.

APRIL 12 3 p.m. • Cedar Falls, Iowa

APRIL 15 & 16 3 p.m. & 12 p.m. • MCKEE STADIUM

APRIL 19 APRIL 22 & 23

APRIL 29 & 30 3 p.m. & 12 p.m. • Brookings, S.D.

MAY 4 3 p.m. • Columbia, Mo.

3 p.m. • MCKEE STADIUM 3 p.m. & 12 p.m. • MCKEE STADIUM

2011 SCHedule

MAY 7 1 p.m. • Urbana, Ill.

MAY 12-14 MCKEE STADIUM

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ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE HIGHER VALUES IN HIGHER EDUCATION 34

E ACADEMIC SUCCESS: The Western Illinois Softball team has had 50 Academic All-League selections in Holly Van Vlymen’s tenure as head coach including Courtney Jacobson (above) who graduated in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in management. During the 2010 season, four Leathernecks were named as CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine AllDistrict selecions in Colleen Biebel, Julie DePolo, Lauren Furgala and Lori Pankratz (Conrad). The Leathernecks have also been recognized by the NFCA each of the past three seasons as one of the top 15 teams in the nation when it comes to team GPA.

PERSONAL GROWTH

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SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OUR VISION: Western Illinois University will be the leader in educational quality, opportunity and affordability among its peers.

OUR MISSION: By enacting our values and supporting the synergy between instruction, research, creativity and service, Western Illinois University prepares a socially responsible, diverse student, faculty and staff population to lead in the global society.

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HIGHER VALUES IN HIGHER EDUCATION

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY

WOMEN’S HISTORY IN ATHLETICS 36

Women’s Athletics at Western Illinois • In July 1977 a county-wide nickname contest was held to establish an identity for Western’s female student-athletes. From more than 100 entries, women athletes and coaches voted for the nickname “Westerwinds,” helping fuel an increasingly popular national climate of women’s intercollegiate athletics. • Western Illinois has won three of the past four Summit League RegularSeason softball titles and won the league tournament and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament in 2008. • The Leathernecks have posted a 72-25 record in Summit League play under head coach Holly Van Vlymen including a 40-4 record against league opponents the past two seasons. • After the turn of the century, with the number of sports offered for men and women being equal, attention turned to creating a gender neutral athletics environment. Significant improvements have been made in recent years to marketing and publicity efforts, salaries, facilities and other resources. In 2009, the men and women began using a unified nickname, “The Fighting Leathernecks.”

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• Colonel Leatherne 2010, end a live bulld Illinois. T the traditio Marine Co • A costum was devel received th his first a recent on was immo a 900-pou 1971,

The Leathernecks & Rock Hanson • Western Illinois University holds the distinction of being the only non-military institution to officially have its nickname derived from a branch of the military service. • The school began use of the Marine Corps’ official nickname, “The Fighting Leathernecks,” in 1927 when then-athletic director and head baseball, basketball and football coach Ray “Rock” Hanson was granted permission by the U.S. Navy, based on his status as a Marine hero, to use the Marine’s official seal and bulldog mascot along with their nickname. • Hanson coached Leatherneck football for 16 years (1926-41) and was Western’s all-time winningest coach until 1998. In 1950, Western’s football stadium, Hanson Field, was dedicated in his honor. Rock retired in 1964 after serving at Western Illinois for 38 years. He passed away in 1982, at the age of 86.

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TRADITIONS

Rocky l Rock III made his eck debut on May 15, ding a 37-year hiatus of dog mascot at Western The English bulldog is onal mascot of the U.S. orps. med version of Rocky loped in 1973. He has hree “groomings” since appearance, the most Feb. 15, 1997. Rocky ortalized in the form of und cement statue in which now sits at the entrance of Hanson Field.