Senior Friday Feature: Softball Catcher/Infielder Anni Borries

Photo courtesy: goredbirds.com

NORMAL, Ill. – While most athletes aim to make history on the field softball infielder, Anni Borries made history before she even stepped on campus.

Anni and her sister Kadi became the first pair of twins to play for the Illinois State Redbirds Softball team.

Borries knew it would be difficult for them to play on the same team in college, but she’s happy things worked out.

“We heard growing up all the time that it would be hard for both of us to be able to go to the same school playing softball,” said Borries. “So, being able to play softball at the Division 1 level with my twin sister was a dream come true! We are absolute best friends, and I couldn’t imagine not being teammates and always having someone to lean on.”

Borries initially wanted to pursue softball because her brother played baseball when they were younger. After playing Borries said she fell in love with softball, she figured out where the sport could take her, such as ISU.

Other than the educational and athletic program the school offered, Borries said softball provided something more to look forward to.

“The main reason I chose ISU though is the family atmosphere the softball team has,” said Borries. “I loved how welcoming the team was and I could see the love through the teammates on and off the field.”

Through 14 games with the Redbirds this season, Borries batted .192 with five hits, one home run, and three runs batted in (RBI). Her only homer of the season came in the sixth inning against IUPUI which helped propel the Redbirds to a 5-0 victory. Defensively, she fielded .905 with seven putouts and 12 assists.

In 2019, Borries had a .303 slugging percentage in 19 games with 7 RBI’s. Her first career collegiate home run in a victory over MVC foe Loyola at Marian Kneer Stadium.

She also forced 30 putouts and 11 assists on the field.

Borries’ sophomore season came with a .950 fielding percentage. In 13 games played, she had a career-high .438 on-base percentage with two runs and a pair of RBI’s.

Borries made her collegiate debut against No. 4 Florida in 2017.

In 10 games with the Redbirds, she forced 17 putouts and tallied three assists, which helped her finish with a perfect fielding percentage. Her first career hit at the Division-I level was a double against Troy in the LSU Tiger Invitational.

While some athletes have a favorite player, Borries has more than one and they aren’t professional athletes.

“All my redbird teammates throughout the years are my favorite softball players.”

As one of the leaders on the team, her advice to underclassmen is simple:

“Never take a second for granted! It could literally be taken out of your hands just like that, as we all experienced this year due to the coronavirus.”