MACOMB, Ill. - Western Illinois head softball coach Holly Van Vlymen recently announced that junior Amanda Daly, a Johnsburg, Ill. native who spent the last two seasons with Dayton, will join the Fighting Leathernecks for the 2012 campaign. She will be on campus to start training with the squad this upcoming Fall 2011 semester.

A right-handed pitcher/outfielder who graduated from Johnsburg High School in 2009, Daly made 51 appearances and 22 starts over two years at Dayton. She picked up eight wins, 97 strikeouts, three saves and 10 complete games over 163 1/3 innings in her career as a Flyer.

As a freshman in 2010, Daly was voted as the team's Most Improved Player after leading the Flyers in ERA (4.37) and strikeouts (72). Daly's lone shutout came against St. Bonaventure on April 24, 2010 as she allowed just one hit and struck out four batters. Additionally, her three saves out of the bullpen tied Dayton's single-season saves record.

"We are very excited about Amanda joining the Leatherneck family," said Van Vlymen. "Amanda's primary position has been as a pitcher and she will complement our current pitchers Hailey Bickford and Kelsey Michelini. She will not only add depth as a pitcher for our squad but will also bring a strong bat, great speed and the ability to play in the outfield."

A two-time Team MVP in high school, Daly led Johnsburg to back-to-back Regional Championships in 2007 and 2008. She was also named to the Northwest Herald All-Area Team in both 2007 and 2008.

Daly played travel ball for the Lake County Liberty with current Fighting Leathernecks sophomore Ryleigh Sears and freshman KC Dunne. She helped her U16 travel team to a fifth place finish at the 2007 ASA Nationals and was named a 2008 Sparkler All-American All Star.