2011-12 Year in Review

Softball

27-26 (10-14 Big Ten) // T-9th Place Big Ten // Highlights

The University of Illinois softball squad concluded the 2012 season with a .500 or better record for the fourth consecutive year and fifth in the previous six campaigns, earning 27 wins overall to improve the career record for the Illini program to 417-289-2 all-time. The slate of victories was highlighted by two over the No. 22 Michigan Wolverines on the road and two at home against Purdue, while the Orange and Blue also earned a pair of key victories when facing Massachusetts and another against NCAA Tournament Super Regional-bound Hofstra during non-conference competition.

Illinois head coach Terri Sullivan scheduled tough competition throughout the non-conference tournament slate yet again, testing the Illini against top opposition such as Massachusetts, Louisville, UAB, Tennessee, South Florida, Hofstra, Boston University, New Mexico State and Maryland. Illinois won multiple games in all four tournaments where the squad played at least four contests, including going 4-1 in the finale series, the USF Invitational. During that tournament, the Orange and Blue and Sullivan tallied their 400th win as a program and head coach, respectively, against Boston University on March 16, with a 5-4 comeback win.

Come-from-behind victories became a staple in the 2012 season for the Illini as the year unfolded, as the Orange and Blue refused to go down without battling to the last inning. The Illini recorded 10 comeback wins in total, with the largest deficit overcome being five runs against Florida Atlantic on March 4, with Illinois winning, 7-6, after trailing 6-1 through two innings.

Entering the Big Ten season with an 13-10 record, the Orange and Blue fought through the new conference format, which included three-game series instead of the previously-used two-contest format, while also facing the top teams from the region in DePaul, Illinois State, Western Illinois, Indiana State, Southern Illinois and Eastern Illinois. The Illini were one of three Big Ten teams to face the toughest composite schedule within conference play, including series at NCAA Super Regional-bound and No. 22-ranked Michigan, Nebraska, Iowa and NCAA Tournament participant Northwestern. The Orange and Blue came away with series victories against then-first place Minnesota (March 24-25) and Michigan (April 28-29) as well as then-second place Purdue (April 21-22).

Upon conclusion of the regular season, junior starting pitcher Pepper Gay was recognized by the conference and National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA), earning All-Big Ten and NFCA All-Midwest Region Second Team. Gay was a leader in the circle and dominant force over the final three weeks of the season as Illinois contended for a berth in the NCAA Tournament. In 14 appearances and 11 starts over the final 15 contests, Gay tallied an 8-4 record and 1.83 ERA with nine complete games and a save, tossing 76 1/3 innings while allowing just 20 earned runs against 60 strikeouts.