URBANA – Designated player Katrina Ross and second baseman Danielle Zymkowitz earned All-Big Ten first-team honors for Illinois, the league announced Wednesday.

Right fielder Hope Howell took a spot on the second team, and left fielder Hollie Pinchback and third baseman Kelley Wedel were selected for the third team.

Illinois and Missouri have long-standing rivalries in basketball and football, but their softball teams will meet for the first time ever in the opening round of play at the Columbia, Mo. regional Friday at Audrey Walton Stadium.

The No. 3 seed Illini are making their first trip to the NCAA tournament since 2004. First pitch between Illinois and Missouri is slated for 5 p.m.

URBANA – Illinois' softball team has compiled one of the best seasons in school history.

Only three times in the last decade have coach Terri Sullivan-coached squads had a better winning percentage than in 2009. Two of those teams (2003 and 2004) were chosen to participate in the NCAA tournament.

MINNEAPOLIS — Illinois concluded its softball regular season with an extra-inning 2-1 win against Minnesota on Sunday.

The Illini's Big Ten finish and NCAA tournament status won't be known for another week.

EVANSTON – Pete Cappetta had a career-high four hits – including two doubles and a home run – and four RBI as No. 28 Illinois stayed in first place in the Big Ten with a wild 15-12 baseball win against Northwestern on Saturday.

"Offensively, we did a great job of getting an early lead and tacking on runs throughout the game," UI coach Dan Hartleb said.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Freshman right fielder Katie Lutes belted a key two-out double and drove in three runs in her first career start, leading Illinois to a 10-6 softball victory against Purdue on Wednesday and a split of a Big Ten doubleheader at West Lafayette, Ind.

DANDY DECADE

Who better to pick an all-decade team for Illinois softball – which covers the program's entire existence – than beat writer Fred Kroner, who has seen more than 90 percent of the home games and traveled on the road to Ball State, Eastern Illinois and Illinois State? In the closest position battles (shortstop, third base), he gave the nod to defensive prowess over offensive power. The no-brainer of the team was the first baseman.

PARK RIDGE — Illinois freshman designated hitter Willie Argo was named Big Ten Player of the Week, the league announced Monday.