On a team with mostly underclassmen athletes, veterans stand out with their experience and elite craft. Senior right-handed pitcher Lauren Wiles perfectly exemplifies this.
A native of North Carolina, Wiles brought her talents to Illinois (9-9) under the guidance of head coach Tyra Perry. Since 2022, Wiles has been a force on the mound, but she’s had her fair share of trials and tribulations.
Despite obstacles in her collegiate career, Wiles kept her head held high. She trusted herself, her teammates and coaches, and this culminated in her final season at Illinois, where she’s already led the charge on the hill.
One last ride
There’s a different mentality going into one’s sport knowing it’s their final season with a team. For Wiles, she set goals for herself to obtain new achievements. Not only that, but she understands the significance of her role as one of the most seasoned members of the Illini.
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“One of my goals for myself was just to mold more into that leadership role and be a good leader for the young ones,” Wiles said. “Going into your senior year, it’s kind of like, ‘This is it’… I want to give it all I have and put everything I’ve been working on and growing to reach out there for everyone to see.”
Wiles noted that while her game preparation has stayed the same, she went into this season with a different perspective. With one more chance to make the most out of her time at Illinois, consistency and extra guidance have gone a long way.
“I want to attribute a lot of my success so far to just having (Kirsten Verdun) on our pitching staff,” Wiles said. “In the four years I’ve been here, this is the first year I’ve had the same pitching coach for two years in a row … We have a lot of talks about what her career looked like and how it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows and what that growth looked like for her.”
So far, Wiles has had quite a splendid showing. In 41 innings, she’s accumulated a 2.90 ERA and a 5-3 record. She’s notched 27 strikeouts and posted one shutout, and she’s not done yet.
Adapting to a new squad
Illinois added 13 new players to its roster this past offseason while the team said goodbye to many beloved athletes. Wiles is one of only four seniors on this entire Illini squad. Despite the abundance of new arrivals, Wiles has embraced the changing landscape of her team.
“It’s definitely a full-circle rewarding experience,” Wiles said about watching the underclassmen. “It’s honestly very fulfilling and energizing just to see how they’re new to college softball, and they just want to learn and live out their dreams in a sense.”
Every leader has a pupil to take under their wing in new environments. For Wiles, she briefly discussed her connection with freshman right-handed pitcher Danika Frazier and the importance of having someone to look up to.
“I talk with her (Frazier) a lot and share my perspective,” Wiles said. “I had Sydney Sickles when I was young to look up to … I think it’s definitely rewarding having that.”
Overcoming obstacles
Wiles has begun 2025 on the right foot, but her journey at Illinois hasn’t been the smoothest.
“I think performance-wise, it’s been a tough challenge for me,” Wiles said. “I started off great as a freshman and did a lot of good things, and then I kind of went through a lull of not performing how I wanted to.”
The talent is evident within Wiles, but sometimes, the execution of this talent doesn’t go as planned. Tough competitors, mental battles and struggles at the mound all stand in the way of excellence.
“That was super challenging because it allows you to call into question, ‘Am I good enough for this?’” Wiles said. “I’m training. I’m working. I know I can do it. I’ve been there. I’ve done it, but I’m not doing it right now. It’s been a really hard journey to mentally stay in it dealing with that kind of stuff.”
Fortunately, Wiles was not alone these past four years and had support from the Illini to keep her going. With all the hesitancy that came into her mind, her teammates and loved ones never doubted her.
“Seeing that (underclassmen) actually do look up to you and know how good you are is kind of refreshing in a way,” Wiles said. “It reminds you to keep that confidence. There’s people that know you’re good. People believe in you more than you believe in yourself, and that’s definitely a challenge you face when you go through ups and downs in softball. I think having the right people around you to build you up and also still give you that tough love has been something to help me overcome that challenge.”
Emotional support goes a long way in athletics. Extra reassurance and trust in one’s abilities have helped Wiles to become the great player she is today.
Finishing strong
At 9-9 on the season, the Illini still have a long road in front of them. For the team, it’s less about winning and losing and more about consistent growth.
“My favorite part so far has been seeing us get better each weekend,” Wiles said. “Just seeing the team grow, even if it’s in small steps every weekend, seeing different people step up to the plate and have that big play or make a big hit when the team needs it, that’s been super fun to watch.”
With 33 games left, Wiles also emphasized areas of improvement she’s excited about.
“I think us having the talent is not in question; we have the talent to succeed,” Wiles said. “I think the biggest area of improvement … is just the little things … I am looking forward to conference play in general. That gives us a chance every week to show how good we are. You’re playing competitors you’ve played over the years, who know you, you know them — that’s really a testament to everything you’ve been working for … I’m looking forward to my senior season.”
Focusing on what they can control is something Perry highlighted as well. Whether it’s a Big Ten enemy, an in-state rival matchup at Eichelberger Field or a championship tournament, Wiles is ready for anything that comes her way.
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