May 17, 2006
NORMAL, Ill. -
On the eve of playing in their first NCAA Tournament, three Illinois State softball players have been named to the Great Lakes All-Region teams for the first time in each of their careers. Outfielder Randi Patton and designated player Amber Smith were each named to the first team, while utility player Stacy Birk was recognized as a member of the second team.
ISU was one of just two teams with more than one representative on the first team. Reigning national champion Michigan placed four players on the first team. This is the first time since 2001 that three `Birds have been named to all-region teams, while 1995 was the last time two ISU players were recognized as members of the first team in the same season.
"We're in such a tough region with some MAC (Mid-American Conference) teams and some Big Ten teams, and then Southern (Illinois) is also a part of that," ISU head coach Melinda Fischer said. "The upper echelon of (the teams in the) Midwest is in our region, and I think this says a lot about the respect other coaches have for our players and for our program. This is a tremendous honor for our players, especially for Randi. There are so many strong outfielders in this region that this is really a great honor for her."
Patton, who finished second in the 2006 Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year voting, has been flawless in outfield this season as she recorded 39 putouts and threw six runners out at the plate. The senior centerfielder from Golden, Colo., was honored as a first-team All-Valley selection for the second straight year this season. In conference action, Patton led the Redbirds with a team-best 26 hits, 20 runs and a .371 average. Through games as of May 14 in Division I, she ranks No. 11 in doubles per game and No. 16 in runs per game.
"I've seen such development in Randi since she came in as a freshman, not only in her softball skills but just as a person," Fischer said. "I think whenever you have more confidence in yourself it really shows up in everything you do."
Smith, the MVC Newcomer of the Year, is having an unprecedented freshman season at Illinois State. The freshman from Fairfield, Calif., ranks in the top 25 in three statistical categories nationally - No. 11 in home runs per game, No. 21 in RBI per game and No. 23 in slugging percentage. With five Redbird freshman records under her belt, Smith needs just one more homer to tie the ISU/MVC single-season home run record (18). If she gets that round-tripper, she would also tie the Illinois State season RBI standard of 51 set in 1981 by Wendy Smith. Smith is the only player in recorded Redbird softball history to compile at least 40 hits, 40 runs and 40 RBI in the same season.
"Amber's put up some great numbers this year and she's having a tremendous season," Fischer said. "We've never had a player come in and have such a great impact on our program as a freshman as Amber has this season."
Birk played a critical role in the Redbirds' doubleheader sweep of Missouri State on the final day of the regular season, as she earned the win in both contests en route to Illinois State's first regular season conference title since 2003. The All-Valley First Team pick hails from Huntington Beach, Calif. This season, Birk has compiled a 21-9 overall record with seven shutouts and 160 strikeouts. In league action, she amassed an 11-4 mark with five shutouts and 81 strikeouts. Birk, who serves as ISU's designated player when not pitching, also displayed her power at the plate. She currently ranks second on the team with a .339 batting average.
"Stacy's maturity, both physically and mentally, has helped her get through some things throughout her career," Fischer said. "She had a pretty good freshman season and then didn't do as well last season. Sometimes you just get into a groove you can't get out of. She's been able to work through a lot of things this season and that's really helped us."
The only other first-team selection from a Missouri Valley Conference institution was league Pitcher of the Year Cassidy Scoggins from Southern Illinois. Michigan led all schools with five picks between the two teams, while Illinois State, Penn State and Ohio State trailed with three selections apiece. All first and second team picks are now eligible for selection to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-America Teams.
Illinois State (37-14) opens NCAA Tournament action Friday, May 19 against No. 10 seed Cal at 7 p.m. in Iowa City, Iowa.
