Oxford, AL - The fantastic 2024-25 season ended for the Illinois Central College softball team at the World Series as the No. 13 seeded Cougars fell 3-1 to No. 8 seeded Phoenix College in the elimination bracket on Wednesday.

"Today was a tough one," coach Heather Doty said. "We had some chances but Phoenix is a good team and we came up just short. We're very proud of our team's effort not only today, but the entire season. This group got us back to the World Series where we belong and these players will continue to do great things as people in the future." 

PC took a 1-0 lead in the first inning as their lead-off batter reached base on an error and eventually scored on a two-out single.

The Cougars scored their run in similar fashion in the bottom half as lead-off batter Nivarra Oredina reached on an error and then scored on a Kayleigh Harr double to make the score 1-1. ICC looked for more as Bailey Herrick singled and Olivia Strawn drew a two-out walk, but the Phoenix pitcher induced a pop fly to right field to end the inning. 

Pitcher Broghan Hall and the Bears' ace kept the bases clear for the next two innings until the Bears struck in the fourth. PC led off with back-to-back singles and used a sacrifice bunt and Cougar error to score a run. They also added an RBI base hit for a 3-1 lead.

ICC had a chance to score in the bottom of the fifth when Zoe Eeten led off with a single to left field. Kelsey Bartels and Harr each drew two-out walks to load the bases but a PC pitching change ended the potential rally.

Courtney Campbell led off the seventh with a walk, but the Phoenix got the next three outs to end the game. 

Congratulations to the Cougars who finished with a 35-23 overall record, Region 24-B Champions, Central District Champions, and a World Series appearance.

Thanks to sophomores Courtney Campbell, Reagan Linder, Emily Compton, Zoe Eeten, Olivia Strawn, Broghan Hall, Graci Guenther, Nivarra Oredina, and Marlee Brown for their dedication to the program. 

COUGAR HITTING
Kayleigh Harr | 1-3, RBI, double
Bailey Herrick | 1-3
Zoe Eeten | 1-3

COUGAR PITCHING
Broghan Hall | 3.1 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER
Emily Compton | 3.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R