Sangamon Sun

The Illinois College softball team has achieved recognition with two of its players being named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Region 9 Team. The announcement was made by the organization today.

Jordan Closs from Niantic, Illinois, earned a spot on the first-team All-Region. She has also been recognized as the Midwest Conference Pitcher of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, and first-team All-Conference. As a junior transfer from St. Francis College, Closs concluded her season with a record of 13 wins and 4 losses, maintaining a 1.78 ERA. Her performance included 152 strikeouts over 129 2/3 innings and she achieved two perfect games for her school. Notably, she held a scoreless innings streak of 55 2/3, marking it as the eighth-longest in NCAA Division III history and the longest since 2011 within the division. In conference play specifically, Closs maintained an undefeated record of 8-0 with an impressive ERA of 0.28 and secured 70 strikeouts in just 50 innings.

Taylor Henry from Sidney, Illinois, also received third-team honors on the All-Region team while being selected as a first-team All-Midwest Conference player last week. Throughout this season, Henry batted .383 with nine doubles and accumulated 23 RBIs. Additionally, she contributed to her team's success by winning four games as a pitcher and recording 28 strikeouts.