Illinois Valley Times

Annie Miller was a pretty competitive kid.

She told the Illinois Valley Times in an email that during her T-ball and Parent Pitch days, she would chase runners down with the ball in her glove, once told her grandfather she did not like the umpire, and would get upset if the other team scored.

These days, the sophomore shortstop for Illinois Valley Community College's softball team continues to upset the competition with her play. As of April 19, she ranked 67th in batting average, at .456, and 74th in slugging percentage, at .735, in Division II of the National Junior College Athletic Association.

Miller also averaged more than a run scored per game — 29 in 22 games — and drove in 31 runs.

“I’ve felt really confident in my bat this season,” she said. “The most important thing to me is making sure I am executing where I need to, whether that's putting down a bunt to move a runner or swinging away in hopes of scoring runners or advancing myself.”

Miller has already improved on her outstanding freshman season at IVCC, when she batted .402 and slugged .591 with 32 runs scored and 35 RBIs en route to being named to the NJCAA Region IV District B All-Tournament Team and leading the squad to the Division II National Championships.

Miller is one of three returning players from the 2016 team hoping to win the Arrowhead Conference and return to the national tourney. The Eagles were 13-9 after their first 22 games this season.

“We have some tough competition, but if we play to our full potential, I really think we have a good chance of going back to nationals again this year,” she said.

Miller moved to shortstop after playing first base last season and coming to IVCC as an outfielder, which is what she still considers herself.

“I think playing at IVCC has improved my versatility as a player and allowed me to step out of my comfort zone defensively," she said." I am more comfortable playing in the infield than I have ever been before."

Miller said she will not go on to a college softball career after her eligibility is up this season. It will be new for her, since softball has been a major part of her life since she tried out for her sixth-grade team.

She also said it's hard to decide which part of softball she likes the most.

“As an individual player, my favorite part about the game is batting," Miller said. "It can be frustrating because every at-bat is different, but there’s just something about the feeling I have after getting a good hit that I just love. As a whole, my favorite part of the game is the closeness it brings upon everyone on the team. I can honestly say some of my best friends and my best memories come from this sport.”