Sangamon Sun

The Illinois College softball team began their 2025 season with two victories on Sunday in Winter Haven, Florida. The team defeated Neumann 2-1 in an eight-inning game and followed with a 9-0 win over Marian.

These wins marked the first for head coach Samantha Mendez at Illinois College, bringing the team's record to 2-0 for the season.

In the first game against Neumann, both teams were scoreless until the bottom of the fifth inning when Ezzy Mauermann stole home to give Illinois College their first run. Neumann tied the game in the seventh inning with an RBI double. Kayla Serpa secured the win for Illinois College by singling home Mauermann in extra innings. Jordan Closs pitched seven innings, allowing four hits and striking out nine batters. Avery Fritz relieved Closs to earn the victory.

The second game saw Illinois College dominate Marian from the start, scoring three runs in the first inning. Elysia Hand and Kendall Cole walked with bases loaded to bring in two runs, while Shelby Seiler added another with a sacrifice fly. In subsequent innings, Seiler and Mauermann contributed further to secure a decisive win.

Cambria Currie pitched three innings against Marian, allowing two hits before Avery Fritz completed four more innings, conceding one hit and striking out seven batters.

Illinois College will continue their season tomorrow facing Simmons at 8:00 a.m. CST and Aurora at 10:30 a.m. CST in Winter Haven.