East Peoria, IL - Don't let the snow fool you. The Illinois Central College Softball team is preparing to start its 2025 season when the Cougars head up and over to FunCity Turf in Burlington, Iowa to participate in the Southeastern Iowa Dome Tournament.
ICC is coming off a spring season in 2024 that saw them go (22-22), falling at the hands of the Spoon River Snappers in a best of three series in the Region Tournament. With the Snappers gone (moved up to NJCAA Division-I), there may be no shot at avenging the elimination, but head coach Heather Doty says there's still plenty to build on.
"We had a great fall, and saw lots of good things from our newcomers."
It's a roster that has a quality mesh of new and returning, with 10 players back from the 2024 squad, and six freshmen joining the fold. While the fall season certainly helps aid those freshmen in adjusting to the collegiate game, Doty feels they're right where they need to be.
"We have a lot of talent in our 2024 signing class that has adjusted well to the college game and the demands of the college schedule. They jumped right in and contributed in the fall. They have a great work ethic and team-first mentality."
There will be no shortage of traveling on the slate, as per the usual. Among their usual in-state competition, the Cougars will also travel to Iowa, Georgia, and Florida. Coach Doty says the desire to make these trips is truly multi-faceted.
"It is important to play the best competition so early so we can see what we need to work on to prepare for the region schedule and postseason. We have been doing team bonding since August with team meals, camps, volunteering, etc., but travel allows us to see different parts of the country and reap the benefits of the fundraising we have done."
As mentioned, Spoon River has since departed from the Division-II level, so the region looks a little different this year, and it's not just the Snappers. There's a new coaching staff at typical region power Parkland, Region 24's representative at Nationals last year. Yet Coach Doty says that she "sees us in the top three", adding that it's "always tough" and thus won't be easy to reach that level.
Among the 10 returners for the Cougars is Zoe Eeten. Last year, Eeten led the team with a .417 batting average, to go with a 1.440 OPS, 7 home runs, and 13 RBI.
Nivarra Oredina (.352 batting average, 1.164 OPS, 43 hits, 9 home runs, 30 RBI, team-high 26 walks), Graci Guenther (.333 average, 24 hits, 3 home runs, 21 RBI), Olivia Strawn (.275 average, 10 RBI), and Marlee Brown (.315 average, .971 OPS, 28 hits, 7 home runs, 39 RBI) are among the leading returning hitters as well.
When it comes to in the circle, Broghan Hall had the most innings among the returning staff with 94.2. Hall struck out 40, 11 of which were looking, and finished the year with a .319 batting average against and 4.22 ERA. New to the pitching staff, among others, is sophomore Emily Compton, an East Peoria grad who comes to the Cougars from NCAA Division-II UMSL. Compton was a two-time all-state selection and ace of the Raiders staff during her prep years.
Expect names like Cassidee Bauer, Graci Guenther, Alaina Creamer, and Nivarra Oredina to hold down the catching position.
WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
vs. Hawkeye RedTails (7-39 in 2024)
Friday, February 14th - 1:00 PM CST
at FunCity Turf - Burlington, Iowa
Watch Live & Live Stats; GameChanger: "Illinois Central College 2025"
