Play of the year

My favorite play of the year came on April 16 against Illinois State. With two on and one out in the bottom of the sixth, Angelena Mexicano belted her 16th homerun of the season, ending the game due to the slaughter rule and tying the Illinois single-season homerun record that she and Shanna Diller set last year. Illinois won the game 16-8.

Best interview

My favorite interview was with Bo Flowers, a freshman safety on the football team. He may not be the most recognizable name on the team, but his story was so interesting to me because he had decided to go back to college and play football after spending four years in minor league baseball with the Tigers and Cubs organizations.

Story line for ’08-’09

Softball – I see catcher Lana Armstrong being the big story for the Illini. In her junior year, she hasn’t been far behind Mexicano in offense, and I think she will be even better next season.