NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State Softball head coach Melinda Fischer has announced that five players have signed on to play for the Redbirds and will be new additions to the 2023 roster.
"This 2022 recruiting class will feature Redbirds who will add tremendous depth to several defensive positions as well as solidify our pitching staff and enhance our opportunities for versatility at the plate," Fischer said. "They are all tremendous students, have competed at high levels in their summer experiences and have the same core values that will continue to allow us to compete at a championship level on the field and in the classroom. This group has also led and served others through their involvement in school and community functions. We are very excited to welcome Abby Horton, Hannah Meshnick, Hannah Meeks, Hannah Tomlianovich, Bailah Bognar and their families to our Redbird Softball family."
Abby Horton | 5'3" | R/R | UT | Crestwood, Ill. | Alan B. Shepard HS
Fischer on Horton: "Abby is a very feisty, competitive, and aggressive athlete. She is that player who makes things happen because she never settles for mediocrity. Her versatility on defense will add to several positions and her great softball IQ will help her transition to the D1 level."
High School: Four-year starter heading into her senior season for the Alan B. Shepard Astros under head coach Kelsey Clifford … As a freshman, Horton hit .492 and helped lead her team to a regional championship … Earned All-Conference and Chicago Tribune All-Area her freshman season … sophomore season did not occur due to the COVID-19 pandemic … As a junior, Horton batted .533 and once again earned an All-Conference selection and Chicago Tribune All-Area … Following her junior season, she was offered a spot on the Irish National Softball team … Putting the student in student athlete, Horton has earned honors with distinction and is also involved in the National Honors Society, Spanish Honors Society, POWER PE, Yearbook and Be the Change Anti-Bullying Club … Horton will graduate from Alan B. Shepard in spring of 2022.
Club: Horton has played for the New Lenox Lightning in New Lenox, Ill. for the past six years under head coach Jim Abbott.
Personal: She is the daughter of Denise and Tom Horton … She has one sister, Sydney, who played softball at Georgia Southern University … Her cousin also played softball at Northwestern … Horton's aunt also attended ISU … Horton plans on majoring in business while at Illinois State … She chose Illinois State because she loves the coaches, the atmosphere and likes being close to her family.
Hannah Meshnick | 5'7" | R/R | P | Hortonville, Wis. | Hortonville HS
Fischer on Meshnick: "Hannah Meshnick has great composure and tremendous confidence in the circle. Her ability to locate and move the ball provides great consistency and command of all her pitches. She has a championship mindset and transfers that into everything she does."
High School: Four-year starter for the Hortonville High School Polar Bears under the tutelage of head coach Bob Pethke … First Team All-Conference selection as a freshman with a 7-1 conference record as a pitcher, 2.39 ERA, 62 Ks in 52 & 2/3 innings … Helped lead her team to a 21-6 overall record, second in conference and a regional championship … sophomore season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic … Earned First Team All-Conference, First Team All-District, First Team All-State and Team MVP honors as a junior … Pitched 117 innings with 157 Ks, a 0.84 ERA and ended with a 14-2 record as a pitcher … The team had an overall record of 23-5 and earned another regional championship title in her junior season … Also played volleyball for three years for the Polar Bears … Meshnick will graduate from Hortonville High School in spring of 2022.
Club: She has played for the Wisconsin Bandits in Horicon, Wis. for two years under head coach Roger Schliewe … Played in Nationals in California over the summer and ended with a 68-15 record.
Personal: Daughter of Scott and Denise Meshnick … has one sister, Paige … Meshnick is currently undecided on her major at ISU … She chose Illinois State for the coaching staff, the atmosphere, and the location to home.
Hannah Meeks | 5'8" | L/L | P/UT | Naperville, Ill. | Neuqua Valley HS
Fischer on Meeks: "Hannah Meeks is the total package as a pitcher, hitter and someone who can play another position. Being a lefty pitcher, Hannah will complement our pitching staff. She will provide power to our offense from the left side of the plate. Hannah plays with high energy and is extremely competitive in every position."
High School: Four-year starter for the Neuqua Valley Wildcats under head coach Christina Chrencik … Her freshman season the team went 18-7 earning a conference championship in the Dupage Valley Conference (DVC) and a regionals berth … Meeks pitched 57.2 innings with a 2.67 ERA and 50 Ks … Offensively she averaged .333 at the plate with 12 hits and seven RBI … sophomore season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic … Junior season the Wildcats went 26-4 with another DVC championship and were Sectional Final runner-up, the farthest Neuqua has gone in nine years … Meeks pitched 98.0 innings with a 1.07 ERA and 166 Ks … At the plate, she had a .355 BA with 33 hits, 8 HR, and 27 RBI … Meeks also earned the Most Valuable Player and Best Defensive Player honors in her time with the Wildcats … Awarded Academic All-Conference as well … Meeks will graduate from Neuqua Valley HS in the spring of 2022.
Club: Meeks has played for the Tennessee Mojo for two years under head coach Mike Richy … In the summer of 2021 she had 36 hits, 5 HR and 20 RBI while averaging .387 at the plate.
Personal: Daughter of Darren and Maureen Meeks … has one sister, Abby … her sister currently plays softball at Indiana University … another relative, Caitlyn Meeks, plays volleyball at Clemson University … Meeks is currently deciding between going into business or Kinesiology at ISU … She chose Illinois State because it feels like home and she loves the environment on campus and on the softball team.
Hannah Tomlianovich | 5'9" | L/R | 1B/OF | Centralia, Ill. | Centralia HS
Fischer on Tomlianovich: "Hannah Tomlianovich is a quite force who will provide stability on the field and at the plate. Her athleticism and work ethic will allow her to continue to elevate her game. She has a tremendous upside, and her competitive calmness allows her to come through in key situations."
High School: Four-year starter for the Centralia Annies under head coaches Mallory Kauling and Raigen Schwartz … Batted .441 as a freshman and helped lead her team to Regional and Sectional champs … sophomore season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic … As a junior, she averaged .588 at the plate … Tomlianovich earned First Team All-Conference and Third Team All-State honors as well as the Offensive Annie of the Year award … She also played two seasons of basketball … She started her freshman year and earned the Offensive Annie of the Year award … Outside of athletics, Tomlianovich is a scholar athlete … She made High Honor Roll, Rotary Honors, and Choice Awards … She is also a parliamentarian for National Honor Society and on the leadership team for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes … Tomlianovich will graduate from Centralia HS in the spring of 2022.
Club: Tomlianovich has played for the Illinois Force for eight years under head coaches Terry Pierce and Mike Palm … In 2021, she helped lead the team to fourth place at the Kansas City PGF Nationals.
Personal: Daughter of John and Diane Tomlianovich … Also has a stepmom, Bailee Tomlianovich … has four siblings (Cameron, Devyn, Brynlee, and Jordyn) … Her stepmom, Bailee, played softball at Lindenwood and her dad, John, played basketball at Lewis and Clark Community College … Both John and Bailee have coached at the high school level as well … Tomlianovich plans on studying chemistry at ISU … She chose Illinois State because she has family nearby, she loves the campus/atmosphere, and she feels welcomed by the team and coaches.
Bailah Bognar | 5'7" | R/R | C | Milan, Ill. | Rockridge HS
Fischer on Bognar: "Bailah will provide tremendous leadership and guidance behind the plate. She is a great student of the game and will be an asset in managing a diverse pitching staff. Bailah brings a lively bat to our offense and her positive energy is absolutely contagious."
High School: Four-year starter for the Rockridge Rockets under head coach John Nelson … Freshman season, Bognar helped lead the Rockets to a 32-7 record and third place at state in the 2A division … Also earned Three Rivers Conference Honorable Mention as a catcher … Sophomore season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic … Chosen as a team captain as a junior and led the team to be undefeated 2A State Champions (29-0) … First undefeated team at Rockridge since 2013 … Batted .390 with 32 hits and 22 RBI … Bognar was selected as First-Team All-Conference and First-Team Catcher Quad Cities All-Western Team … Awarded Most Valuable Player and Leadership awards as well … She is also National Honor Society President and has been on the High Honor Roll every semester … Bognar will graduate from Rockridge in the spring of 2022.
Club: Played for Heartland Havoc '03 and currently plays for Heartland Havoc 18u in East Moline, Illinois … Has participated in this club for four years under head coaches Josh Bognar ('03) and Greg Marty (18u) … In this current fall season, Bognar hit .425 with 5 HR and 30 RBI while catching 7 stealing and picking off 3 runners.
Personal: Daughter of Josh and Sarah Bognar … has three siblings (Estellah, Annah and Veirah) … She chose Illinois State because she can still be around for her younger siblings while also playing for an amazing softball program and Illinois State feels like home … Bognar plans on studying biology with a pre-med track in hopes of becoming a doctor.
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