Illinois State Signs Five Softball Players

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Published on November 12 2020 6:03 am
Last Updated on November 12 2020 6:04 am

NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State softball head coach Melinda Fischer announced on Wednesday that the Redbird softball program has added five players to its roster for the 2022 season.

“The class of 2021 checks all the boxes to complete the Redbirds moving forward,” Fischer shared. “This group steps to the plate with great skill sets and confidence on the field and in the classroom. They are committed to excellence in everything they do and have a great willingness to continue to learn and grow. We are all very excited to welcome this group to Redbird Softball.”

Delainey Bryant | R/R | Utility | Mattoon, Ill. | Mattoon HS

Fischer on Bryant: “Delainey excels in all aspects of the game. Her ability to play multiple positions and hit anywhere in the lineup makes her a tremendous asset at this level. She has a great work ethic and her competitive spirit is very contagious.”

Highlights: Four-year member of Mattoon High School’s softball and basketball teams … Given all-state, all-area and all-conference honors in softball … Earned all-state and all-area recognition as a member of the basketball team … Recognized for her academics, receiving a spot on the National Honors Society, recording straight A’s, sitting in the top 5% of her class, while also earning high honors … Plans to major in elementary education … Outside of softball, she enjoys camping and hiking and spending time with her family.

Abby Knight | L/R | Utility | Bloomington, Ill. | University HS

Fischer on Knight: “Abby has a tremendous upside and will help in several roles on both sides of the ball. Her versatility will bring depth to the middle infield and she will provide power to our offense from the left side of the plate.”            

Highlights: Four-year member of University High School’s softball team, while also playing volleyball her freshman year … Helped her softball team win a regional title and sectional title her freshman season … Earned back-to-back all-conference and all-state honors for her success on the field … Held the highest all-area batting average (.596) as a sophomore … Three-time all-academic honoree in her conference … Plans to major in psychology while attending ISU, with hopes of becoming a sport psychologist … Chose to attend ISU because she has grown up following sports here, it’s close to home and her mom played tennis here … Served as a bat girl for ISU softball when she was 7-8 years old.

Addison Masching | L/R | Infielder | Pontiac, Ill. | Pontiac Township HS

Fischer on Masching: “Addison brings the consummate player to our program. She absolutely loves the game and strives to better herself every time she steps on the field. She is a great student of the game and she really comes through in key situations.” 

Highlights: Four-year member of Pontiac Township High School’s softball, basketball and volleyball teams … Helped her softball team win back-to-back conference titles, while also winning a sectional championship as a sophomore and a regional championship as a freshman … Earned all-state honors as a sophomore … Named to the all-conference second team as a freshman … Three-time all-conference pick in basketball … Holds a perfect 4.0 GPA in the classroom and is on track to be named valedictorian … Member of the National Honors Society … Plans to be a nursing major … Her favorite athlete is Sis Bates because of her work ethic and dedication to the sport of softball.

Annie Volkers | L/L | Pitcher | Elk River, Minn. | Elk River HS

Fischer on Volkers: “Annie is a very competitive and determined pitcher. She is crafty and has great command of her pitches inducing a lot of swings and misses. She is always striving to improve and has a great softball pitcher personality.”

Highlights: Four-year member of Elk River High School’s softball team … Earned back-to-back all-conference nods … Named her team’s MVP during her sophomore season … Tossed her first career perfect game as a sophomore … Member of the National Honors Society for her success in the classroom, while also earning a spot on the school’s “A” Honor Roll … Plans to major in accounting while attending ISU … Outside of softball, she enjoy baking … Teamwork is important to her because she wants to work together to achieve goals set by the team.

Bella Wilkerson | R/R | Catcher | Mokena, Ill. | Lincoln-Way Central HS

Fischer on Wilkerson: “Bella has a great presence and demeanor behind the plate. Her leadership and knowledge will really help in game management. She has a very strong and accurate arm and the ability to consistently hit for power.”

Highlights: Four-year member of Lincoln-Way Central High School’s softball team, while also playing volleyball for two seasons … Helped her team win back-to-back conference championships … Aided in her team’s effort to boast a 60-7 record in her first two seasons … Won a regional championship as a sophomore … Garnered her team’s sportsmanship award as a rookie … Member of the National Honors Society, as well as a five-time scholar-athlete award winner … Her parents, Chris and Sharna, played football and softball, respectively, at Eastern Illinois … Plans to major in marketing while attending ISU … Her friends and teammates would describe her as caring, helpful and invested.