The setting could not have been more perfect for Eastern Illinois’ Kylie Bennett in her attempt to break the school’s single-season mark for home runs.
Senior weekend. Family in the stands. Final home games of her collegiate career.
In the fourth inning of EIU’s 6-1 victory over Southeast Missouri in Game 1 of a doubleheader, the senior first baseman hit a two-run homer, her 10th of the season, tying her for first place.
In her next at-bat, Bennett belted a solo homer, giving her sole possession of the top spot.
“It was senior weekend, our last home games and I had nine home runs going into the weekend,” Bennett said. “I tied (the record) on senior day and I had tears in my eyes because I was so happy and then I broke the record on senior day.
“(The record-breaking home run) was one where I hit it and I definitely knew it was going over the fence. My team was really excited for me and they gave me the ball that went over the fence..”
For good measure, Bennett blasted one last home run in a 6-4 loss to Eastern Kentucky in the second game of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament in Oxford, Ala. The Manhattan resident finished the season with 12 home runs and her career with 15.
“They also got that ball back for me,” Bennett said. “The people at the field gave the ball to my dad during the game. That’s really special for me and for him as well.
“Softball has been a huge part of my family since I was 8 years old. It’s great to break the record for them as well because I know how much time, money and effort they’ve put into my career as well.”
Bennett was chosen to the All-Ohio Valley Conference second team. She batted .302 this season with team highs in doubles (10), triples (2), home runs (12), RBIs (33), total bases (89) and slugging percentage (.690). The 2012 Lincoln-Way Central graduate was fourth in hits (39) and sixth in runs (14).
“Making all-conference was a goal at the beginning of the season,” Bennett said. “I took advantage of the time and I practiced my hitting more during the offseason. I had more confidence at the start of the season as a whole.
“I was doing well and the coaches believed in me this year. … This was great because all my hard work this year finally paid off. It was especially great because this was the last year of my career.”
Bennett, who graduated with a degree in communication disorders and sciences, will begin graduate school this summer as she pursues a master’s in speech language and pathology.
Smart guy: Northern Illinois senior catcher Johnny Zubek (Oak Forest) was chosen the Mid-American Conference’s Male Scholar-Athlete of the Week for May 11. Zubek, who graduated with a 3.98 GPA, went 7-for-16 (.438) with three runs, two RBIs and a double.
Be like Mike: Pennsylvania sophomore high jumper Mike Monroe was named to the Ivy League’s second team for the outdoor season. Competing at the Outdoor Heptagonal Championships, the Providence graduate placed second in the high jump with a mark of 6 feet, 11 inches.