SouthtownStar Athletes on Campus: Lockport grad Billig runs to new record
By Mike Walsh For Sun-Times Media June 15, 2012 9:54PM
Washington University sophomore and Lockport graduate Kyle Billig slides in with one of his record-setting 35 stolen bases in 2012 for the Missouri school. | Supplied photo
Updated: July 18, 2012 6:17AM
The 2012 season was a record-breaking one for Washington (Mo.) University sophomore center fielder Kyle Billig.
Billig, who prepped at Lockport, broke his own single-season record by leading the University Athletic Association with 35 stolen bases in 37 attempts this season. Billig ranks third on Washington University’s career stolen bases list with 69.
In earning a place on the All-UAA First Team this season, Billig led the UAA and ranked fourth in NCAA Division III with 59 runs, which tied the Washington University single-season record. Billig finished the season ranked second in the UAA with 59 hits and six triples.
He reached base in 40 of 42 games, including a 24-game hitting streak, while batting .362 as the Bears’ leadoff hitter. Defensively, Billig finished the season with a .971 fielding percentage, recording 94 putouts and eight assists in 105 chances.
Billig also contributed 11 doubles and 22 RBI. He posted an on-base percentage of .462 and a slugging percentage of .503 as the Bears were 28-14 overall and 5-3 in UAA competition.
It takes ‘Two’
Monmouth (Ill.) College athlete Brooke Twohill (Lemont) was one of four Scots named to the 2012 All-Midwest Conference South Division Softball Team.
The senior outfielder earned her second consecutive all-conference award by batting .333 this season with 22 runs, a team-high seven doubles, one triple, one home run and 11 RBI. Twohill was second on the team in batting average.
Twohill, who is Monmouth’s career leader in being hit by pitch (17), added a slugging percentage of .448 and an on-base percentage of .412 as Monmouth finished 18-18 overall and 6-2 in conference play.
Gardner garners accolade
Loyola University sophomore pitcher Brittany Gardner (Sandburg) was named to the 2012 All-Great Lakes Region Second Team. Gardner is the fourth player in Loyola softball history to earn All-Region accolades and the first to do so since Tara Miller in 2006. Gardner is just the second pitcher in Loyola history to be an All-Region pick.
Gardner, who was named 2012 Horizon League Pitcher of the Year and also collected First Team All-Horizon League honors, went 18-10 with a 2.69 ERA in 169⅓ innings as Loyola was 26-23 overall and advanced to the title game of the Horizon League Championship.
The Orland Park resident set Loyola single-season records with 205 strikeouts and 10 shutouts this spring and tossed a pair of no-hitters. She recorded 10 or more strikeouts on six occasions.
Gardner ranks third in Loyola annals with 392 strikeouts and fifth with 32 wins.
