CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Big Ten announced the all-conference awards on Wednesday morning, prior to the start of the 2024 B1G Softball Tournament. Adisyn Caryl was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team, while Abby Ryniec received the Sportsmanship Award.
Caryl played in all 51 regular-season games for the Fighting Illini, making 50 straight starts following the season opener when she came on in relief. On the year, Caryl is second on the team in batting with a .342 average along with 24 RBI. The newcomer logged 12 multi-hit games during her first year, tallying three hits in four of those games.
The Illini third baseman posted a .306 batting average with 10 RBI and four extra-base hits during league play. The Kansas native’s lone homer of the season came during the Orange and Blue’s series finale at Maryland, helping the team to a 4-0 win.
Caryl is the first Illinois player to make the All-Freshmen Team since a trio of Illini garnered the recognition in 2022. Following that season, Lauren Wiles, Stevie Meade and Paige Berkmeyer each took home the award.
A crucial piece to the Fighting Illini lineup, Ryniec has played in 50 games this year, making 48 starts. The senior is third on the team with a .338 batting average in her final year with the Orange and Blue. In Big Ten action, Ryniec owns a .304 average with a team-best 12 RBI. The Downers Grove, Ill., native tallied her first-career home run in conference play, sending a ball over the centerfield fence at Ohio State.
[12] Illinois faces off against [5] Minnesota on Wednesday at Bob Pearl Field in Iowa City, Iowa. First pitch is slated for 1:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network.
2024 BIG TEN CONFERENCE SOFTBALL POSTSEASON HONORS
Player of the Year: Jess Oakland, So., SS, Minnesota
Pitcher of the Year: Ashley Miller, Gr., RHP, Northwestern
Freshman of the Year: Bridget Nemeth, RHP, Penn State
Coach of the Year: Kate Drohan, Northwestern
FIRST TEAM ALL-BIG TEN
Sarah Stone, Jr., IF, Indiana
Jena Young, Fr., IF, Iowa
Jaeda McFarland, Gr., OF, Maryland
Lauren Derkowski, Jr., P, Michigan
Maddie Erickson, So., IF, Michigan
Elle Sieler, Jr., OF, Michigan
Keke Tholl, Sr., IF, Michigan
Taylor Krapf, Jr., C, Minnesota
JESS OAKLAND, So., IF, Minnesota
Billie Andrews, Sr., IF, Nebraska
Kelsey Nader, So., OF, Northwestern
ASHLEY…
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