Eastern Illinois University Athletics

2008: Brackett played in 43 games and started 40 times, primarily in left field… led the team with nine sacrifice bunts and four outfield assists… impressed with her fearlessness on the basepaths, practically on close plays at the plate… registered both of her RBIs in OVC play… reached base safely to begin an inning 50 percent of the time (13-of-26)… slapper hit the ball on the ground 77 percent of the time… struck out just once in 28 plate appearances and did not commit an error at home… went 8-for-23 with no strikeouts in EIU’s 12 neutral-site games… recorded a three-hit effort in the win against Jackson State… went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two stolen bases in the victory over Bethune-Cookman… knocked in the game-tying run with an RBI groundout in the nightcap of the doubleheader sweep of Samford… singled, walked, scored a run and stole a base in the comeback win against Southeast Missouri at home… hit safely in all three games of the series at Morehead State… scored the game-winning run in 10th inning of the opener of the MSU series on a suicide squeeze bunt… collected an RBI and scored during EIU’s season-high nine-run inning in the middle game of the Eastern Kentucky series.

2007: Brackett played in 47 games and started 37 times, primarily as a corner outfielder… finished second on the team in sacrifice hits (8) and stolen bases (9-10)… one of four Panthers that did not commit an error… reached base 39 percent of the time when leading off an inning… batted .302 with runners on base… batted in every spot in the lineup except 3-4-5… scored 10 of her 15 runs in EIU wins… batted a team-best .375 in the month of February… posted consecutive three-hit games on day two of the Tulsa Festival… also posted a three-hit effort in the first win over Alabama A&M… scored twice in the win over Illinois… registered a base hit, sacrifice bunt and run scored in victory against No. 22 Illinois State… did not strikeout in any of her first 18 collegiate at-bats… four multi-hit games.

HIGH SCHOOL: Lauren was a four-year letter-winner for coaches Donna Proctor and Debra Benjamin at West Aurora High School… also lettered once in volleyball… four-year varsity starter led West Aurora to regional titles in 2004 and ’06… broke the single-season school hits record (48) as a senior and career stolen bases mark… as an upperclassman was a two-time team captain and All-DuPage Valley Conference selections… also a two-time All-Area pick by the Aurora Beacon News, the Daily Herald and Kane County Chronicle as an upperclassman… honorable mention All-DuPage Valley Conference in 2004… also played for the Aurora Raiders 18-and-over summer league team.

PERSONAL: No. 1 sports highlight was "breaking the single-season hits and career stolen bases records at West Aurora"… her father has been a major influence on her sports career because "he got me started playing softball and has been there all along, coaching and supporting me"… most admires her summer league coach, Gary Hunley, because "he helped me improve my skills and play with confidence"… daughter of Mark Brackett and Lori Federman… MAJOR: Elementary Education.