East Peoria, Ill. - Illinois Central College softball enters the 2026 season with momentum, experience, and unfinished business and high expectations. The Cougars open the year ranked No. 22 in the NJCAA Division II Softball Pre-Season Poll, firmly positioning themselves among the nation's elite as they set their sights on another return trip to the World Series.
 
Now in her 20th season at the helm, head coach Heather Doty continues to build one of the most consistent programs in the Midwest. Last spring, ICC delivered one of the most resilient post-season runs in program history, finishing with a 35–23 record and capturing the Central District Tournament Championship in dramatic fashion. After being pushed into the loser's bracket, the Cougars rattled off five straight wins to punch their ticket to the NJCAA Division II World Series — Doty's 11th national appearance.
 
Once in Oxford, AL, ICC proved it belonged on the sport's biggest stage. The Cougars went 2–2 at the World Series, battling toe-to-toe with the nation's best and gaining invaluable experience that now fuels expectations for this upcoming season.
 
Offensively, ICC returns a formidable one-two punch in the heart of the lineup. Third baseman Kayleigh Harr leads the way after a standout freshman campaign where she hit .392 with 39 RBIs, consistently delivering in big moments. Alongside her is catcher/outfielder Cassidee Bauer, who posted a .331 average with 38 RBIs, giving the Cougars one of the most dangerous middle-of-the-order duos in the region.  
 
Doty will rely on transfer Meadow Terry to anchor the pitching staff. Terry, an East Peoria HS grad, was 1^st team All-State and All-Conference and led the Raiders to Mid-Illini and Regional Championships. She posted an impressive 1.40 ERA while batting .343.
 
Freshman shortstop Laila Harris (Washington HS) will be another key player for the Cougars. Harris comes to ICC with several prep honors, including being named 2^nd team All-State, 1^st Team Mid-Illini, and to the Panther Classic All-Tourney team.
 
The Cougars' veteran leadership will be tested immediately, as ICC opens the season on Thursday, February 12 against No. 23 Lansing (MI) and Friday, February 13 against #9 Rock Valley. Both games will be played at the Louisville Slugger Complex in Peoria, and the early showdowns will set the tone for a challenging non-region slate designed to prepare the Cougars for post-season play.
 
Following the opener, ICC will play on March 6 against Indian Hills and March 10 against Black Hawk before heading south for a spring break trip to Florida, where the Cougars will face a gauntlet of tough competition against quality opponents in the southeast. The trip serves as a proving ground before the team turns its attention to Region 24 play beginning in late March, where championship expectations are once again the standard.
 
With a proven coaching staff, battle-tested returners, hungry newcomers, and a program culture built on postseason success, Illinois Central College softball enters the 2026 season hungry for more. 

A complete schedule can be found here: https://illinoiscentralcougars.com/sports/softball/schedule