Parkland College

 

2012 FAST PITCH CAMP

This marks the eighth year the Champaign Park District and Parkland College have partnered together to offer a fast-pitch softball camp. This year two camps will be offered: Fundamentals Camps and an Advanced Skills Camp.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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After a year off, the Parkland College Softball team will return to the D-2 Softball National Championship, earning the #6 seed in the tournament. The Cobras (42-18) will face Iowa champion #11 Des Moines Area CC (40-19) in an opening round game Thursday in Clinton, Mississippi. With a victory, PC would play the winner of #3 Jones Co. MS. (42-9) and #14 Delaware Tech (35-3) at 3:30 on Thursday. A defeat would send PC into a 1:30 game against the loser of that same contest. It marks the 8th trip to Nationals for the Cobras since 2001, with their highest finish being 2nd on three separate occasions. This is the first time for Nationals in Mississippi after Bloomington-Normal had hosted the event the previous six years.


Opening Round Games

9:30 am
Game 1: #1 LSU-Eunice (53-9) vs #16 East Central Mo. (28-30)
Game 2: #8 Black Hawk (32-15) vs #9 Muskegon Mi. (42-10)
Game 3: #4 Kankakee (50-9) vs #13 Mott Mi. (26-13)
Game 4: #5 Cowley County KS. (46-6) vs #12 Mercyhurst NE Pa. (40-12)

11:30 am
Game 5 #2 Phoenix College Az. (51-15) vs #15 CCBC-Catonsville (44-11)
Game 6: #7 Highland CC KS. (48-11) vs #10 Illinois Central (34-23)
Game 7: #3 Jones County Ms. (42-9) vs #14 Delaware Tech (35-3)
Game 8: #6 Parkland (42-18) vs #11 Des Moines Area CC (40-19)

Five members of the National Softball Tournament bound Parkland College Softball team have been recognized by the Midwest Athletic Conference for their play this season. Freshman Kelsey Kniepmann and Taylor Hull each earned First Team recognition while Alison Kimble, Raeshel Braden, and Elizabeth Sprague all earned Second Team honors. Kimble and Sprague were both 2nd team selections at two different positions.

Kniepmann, who also earned First Team All-Region and All-Tournament honors, hit a team-high .439 this season and also leads the team in hits, doubles, triples, and RBI. She finished 2nd in runs scored and stolen bases despite missing eight games this season. Hull was a standout in the outfield for the Cobras hitting .330 while also going 9-6 with a 2.79 ERA on the rubber.

Ali Kimble, the Region 24 Tournament MVP and All-Region selection, was a 2nd team selection as both a pitcher and outfielder. The freshman lead the Cobra pitching staff with a 13-5 record and a 2.55 ERA. When not pitching, she hit .309 playing mainly in left field. Elizabeth Sprague was the 2nd team selection at both first base and as the designated hitter. The hard hitting sophomore hit ,369 with 7 home runs and 41 runs batted in. Her two home runs against ICC in the Region 24 title game helped propel the Cobras to the title and on to the National Championships. Finally, third baseman Raeshel Braden also earned 2nd team honors. The hard nosed freshman hit .396 and had a team 9 home runs to go along with 51 RBI helping her earn All- Conference and All-Region recognition.

Heartland's Danielle Burge was named M-WAC Player of the Year while her teammate Kate Mayes was Freshman of the Year. DACC pitcher Brooke Jordan was the Pitcher of the Year while Lincoln Land Head Coach John Marsaglia was named the conference Coach of the Year.

Parkland will open NJCAA D-2 National play on Thursday at 11:30 against Des Moines Area CC in Clinton, Mississippi.

The #11 Parkland College Softball team went a perfect 4-0 this weekend en route to knocking off Illinois Central College 8-3 to win the Region 24 title. With the win, PC earns a trip to Nationals which will be held for the first time in Clinton, Mississippi, May 17-19.

In the championship game, the Cobras faced off against ICC who had eliminated top-seed Heartland 4-0 earlier in the day. The Cougars scored a run in the first to grab the early lead before Elizabeth Sprague tied it with a towering home run in the 2nd. ICC would tally single runs in the 3rd and the 4th before the Cobras answered with a run of their own in the 4th. Dayna McNutt drew a one-out walk, Sprague followed with a single, and Tana Rentschler roped an RBI single to make it 3-2.

After Cobra reliever Ali Kimble retired ICC in order in the 5th, PC would take the lead for good. With one out Kelsey Kniepmann singled and Macy Shupe doubled into the corner in right. It looked like ICC might escape unscathed after an infield pop out but McNutt stroked a two-run single to give PC the lead and Sprague hit her 2nd home run of the game, this one a two-run shot to make it 6-3. The Cobras would tack on two more runs in the 6th as Kniepmann delivered a two-run double after Kimble and Megan DeWerff had reached base on singles. Kimble (14-5) would shut the Cougars down the rest of the way to earn the win working 3.2 innings allowing just three hits and no runs, helping her earn Region 24 Tournament MVP honors for picking up the win in three of the four victories. Kniepmann also was named All-Tournament going 3-4 in the championship game along with teammates Elizabeth Sprague who was 3-3 with 2 HR and 3 RBI and Macy Shupe who had a fine tournament at the plate and in the field. Also after the game Kimble, Kniepmann and fellow freshman Raeshel Braden were named First Team All-Region in a vote of Region 24 coaches.

Coach Chuck Clutts also was recognized as Region 24 Coach of the Year guiding the Cobras to a (42-18) record and their 8th trip to the NJCAA Softball National Tournament. With their 2nd Place finish, ICC still has a chance to join PC at Nationals but must travel to Patrick Henry CC in Martinsville, Virginia next Friday and Saturday for a best 2 out of 3 series with the winner earning a bid to Mississippi.

ICC 101 100 0 3 9 0
PC 010 142 X 8 11 3

Maloney, Ralph, Bottens, and Nelson
Hull, Kimble (4) and McNutt
W-Kimble L-Maloney
HR-Sprague (PC) 2

Wins over #14 Lincoln Land and #22 Illinois Central has moved the #11 Parkland Softball team to within one game of the National Tournament. The Cobras will take on the winner of the 11:00 game between ICC and #5 Heartland at 12:30 on Saturday at the Roundhouse Complex in Mattoon. A Parkland win would send the Cobras to Nationals while a loss would force a second championship game. A championship is extremely important as the Region 24 winner is guaranteed a trip to the National finals while the loser must head east to Patrick Henry CC in Virginia for a best 2 of 3 series. Last season, PC lost to Pasco-Hernando of Florida in that same District final.

After about an hour delay due to wet grounds following heavy early morning rains in the Mattoon area, PC faced off against the Loggers of Lincoln Land. PC showed they meant business early as starter Taylor Hull retired LLCC in order and then the Parkland hitters took over in the bottom of the inning. Macy Shupe singled with one out and after stealing second, she scored on a Dayna McNutt single. Elizabeth Sprague and Tana Rentschler also singled to load the bases before Hull helped her own cause with a two-run single to make it 3-0. Lincoln Land cut the margin to 3-1 with a run in the 3rd and the score stayed that way until the 5th.

In the 5th, McNutt was hit by a pitch to start the uprising and PC put together 4 hits along with a Logger error to score 5 times. Kelsey Kniepmann drove in two of the runs while Tana Rentschler, Hull, and Shupe each drove in a run. Hull (9-6) would allow just a harmless two-out single in the 7th as she allowed just one run on seven hits to earn the win. She also came up big at the plate going 2-4 with 3 RBI. Other hitting starts were Shupe who was 3-4, McNutt who had 2 hits and 2 runs scored, and Kniepmann who drove in a pair of runs. The victory moves the Cobras into a winner's bracket semi-final with surprising ICC who stunned top-seed and #5 Heartland 4-2 earlier in the afternoon.

LLCC 001 000 0 1 7 2
PC 300 050 x 8 13 0

Lundin and Carter
Hull and McNutt
W-Hull L-Lundin


In their evening game, PC again used an early outburst to take control on the way to a big win. As in their previous game, PC would strike for three runs in the 1st. Shupe doubled with one out and would score on a Raeshel Braden single. After a McNutt single and a groundball out, Rentschler and Hull each delivered RBI singles to take the lead to 3-0. ICC got one of the runs back in the 2nd, but the Cobras would get three straight hits from the bottom three in the order and a sacrifice fly by Shupe to make it 5-1. ICC would tally a solo run in the 5th to cut the lead to 5-2 but once again the Cobras would strike right back with a pair of runs. Megan DeWerff doubled, moved to 3rd on a passed ball, and scored on a Kniepmann sac. fly to center. Raeshel Braden's blast over the wall in center gave PC their final run and a 7-2 lead headed into the Cougars final at bat. Those two runs proved to be big as ICC was able to push across two runs of their own before starter and winner Alison Kimble retired three of the final four hitters to end the game.

ICC 010 010 2 4 13 0
PC 300 202 X 7 13 1

Maloney, Bottens, Williams and Nelson
Kimble and McNutt
W-Kimble L-Maloney
Hr-Braden (PC)

Despite an amazing defensive effort by John Wood, the Cobra Softball team rallied for a 3-2 win and advanced to the next round of the Region 24 Softball Tournament in Mattoon.

The Blazers put together three hits in the opening inning to score a run before PC tied it in the bottom of the inning. Kelsey Kniepmann doubled and Macy Shupe walked to get the inning started and following a double-steal, Raeshel Braden tied it with a sacrifice fly.

The game remained tied until the 5th when the Blazers regained the lead with a sacrifice fly of their own. That run looked like it might be enough as the John Wood defense had made three outstanding plays in the outfield and a pair in the infield to keep PC off the board. In the bottom of the 6th, Brittany Einck singled to start the inning and pinch runner Kim Lamar was moved over to second on a bunt by Megan DeWerff. Kelsey Kniepann followed with an RBI triple off the wall and it looked like PC was in line for a big inning. Macy Shupe followed with a line-drive that the JW third baseman snared and Braden flew out to end the rally.

Cobra starter and winner Ali Kimble (12-5) retired the Blazers in order in the top of the 7th setting up the game winning rally. Kimble struck out nine in earning the complete game win. After a lead-off strike-out, ironically it was a John Wood miscue that allowed Elizabeth Sprague to reach on a two-base error. Tana Rentschler followed with the game-winning single to center and the Cobras (39-18) survived to move on to a Friday semi-final match-up with Lincoln Land. The Loggers (33-18) beat Shawnee 7-2 on Thursday and the two teams split their four game series during the regular season.

Saturday's sweep of Danville combined with rain washing away the remainder of the M-WAC schedule, helped the Parkland Softball team to the #2 seed in the upcoming Region 24 Softball Tournament to be held at the Roundhouse Softball Complex in Mattoon May 3-5. The winner of the Regional Tournament will automatically advance to Nationals held May 17-19 in Clinton, Mississippi. The 2nd place team will still be alive but will travel to face the winner of Region 10 (North Carolina-Virgina) the following weekend, with that winner also earning a bid to Nationals.

The Regional will feature three teams currently ranked in the NJCAA Top 20 and another who is receiving votes. In the latest NJCAA Poll, Heartland is ranked #5, Parkland #11 and Lincoln Land #14 while ICC was receiving votes. Another NJCAA poll is set to come out tomorrow afternoon.

The tourney gets underway at 2:00 on Thursday with a pair of play-in games between the bottom four seeds. #7 John Wood (13-29) will take on #10 Spoon River (2-36) while #8 Lincoln College (15-29) goes up against #9 Lewis and Clark (7-37). The #7-10 winner will face off against #2 Parkland (38-18) while the #8-9 winner squares up against #1 Heartland (54-12). The two play-in losers will be eliminated. Other first round match-up's will see #3 Lincoln Land (33-18) against #6 Shawnee (16-28) and #4 Illinois Central (29-21) and #5 Danville Area (26-18).

We hope to see you at the games but if not, listen to the golden voice of Steve Brown as he makes his final voyage as the man calling the Cobra Softball games on cobrasports.net

 

Click HERE for the complete Region 24 Bracket

The #11 Softball team picked up two important wins on Sunday as they swept rival Danville Area CC by the identical scores of 10-1. The victories give the Cobras a four-game sweep of the Jaguars this season.

In the first game, PC jumped out quickly with a three run first. Kelsey Kniepmann singled and stole 2nd and after an infield pop up, scored on a Raeshel Braden single. Daya McNutt made it 2-0 with a double and she came home on Elizabeth Sprague's triple. DACC would score their lone run on a solo homer in the 2nd and the game remained close until the Cobras broke it wide open over the final three innings. Parkland scored three times in the 5th as McNutt drove in a run with a ground ball and Ali Kimble plated two runs with a double. McNutt drove in her 3rd run of the game in the 6th and Macy Shupe had a pair of RBI in the 7th, Kniepmann and Braden each had three hits while Shupe and McNutt two as the Cobras pounded out 14 hits in the contest. Kimble (11-5) got the win giving up one run on four hits while striking out six.

After a scoreless first two innings. the Cobras jumped all over the Jaguars scoring three runs in the 3rd. With one on and two outs, Shupe drove home the first run of the game with a single and Braden followed with a two-run home run to make it 3-0 PC. The Cobras added three unearned runs in the 4th as Kniepmann drove home one with a double and it was Shupe's turn to go yard, hitting a home run of her own. Kniepmann drove in two more in the 5th and the Cobras closed out the scoring with two more in the in the 7th as Shupe singled and Kim Lamar had a sac. fly. Tab Davis (6-2) picked up the win allowing one run on eight hits. She was helped by two outstanding diving catches by Kaitlyn Winkeler in right field. There were plenty of stars on offense as Shupe went 4-5 with 4 RBI and 2 runs scored. Kniepmann had 3 hits and 3 RBI along with Braden who had 3 hits and drove in 2 as the Cobras had 17 hits in the game and 31 on the day.

Parkland (38-18 21-5) will wrap up their regular season with a make-up doubleheader at John Wood on Monday in Quincy. The results of those games, along with the outcome of the Lincoln Land-Lewis and Clark games, will determine if PC is the #2 or #3 seed. The Jaguars fall to (26-18 17-11) and will be the #5 seed in the Region 24 Tournament which gets underway on Thursday in Mattoon.


Gm 1:

PC 300 032 2 10 14 1
DACC 010 000 0 1 4 2
Kimble and Mc Nutt
Jordan and Lippert
W-Kimble L-Jordan

Gm 2:
PC 003 320 2 10 17 0
DACC 001 000 0 1 8 3

Davis and Klein
Darr and Mc Cord
W-Davis L-Darr
HR-BRADEN (PC) Shupe (PC)

Alison Kimble tossed a two-hit five-inning shutout on Saturday to lead the #11 Cobras to a 9-0 win in game 2 and a split of their doubleheader with #5 Heartland. The PC freshman walked none and struck out three allowing just two singles to Hawks first baseman Chelsea Anderson.

PC would give Kimble all the support she would need in the first as Kelsey Kniepmann doubled to start the inning and came home on a triple by Macy Shupe. After a strikeout, Dayna McNutt singled to plate Shupe and two batters later Kimble helped her own cause with a single to make it 3-0. The Cobras tacked on another run in the 2nd and then used the long ball to put the game out of reach. Raeshel Braden hit a line drive 2-run home run in the 4th and Kniepmann cracked a 3-run game ending home run of her own in the 5th as the Cobras won by the mercy rule.

Kniepmann was once again the Cobras catalyst as she reached based all four times going 3-3, scoring four times, and driving in three. Macy Shupe and Ali Kimble both added two hits apiece as PC pounded out 10 in the contest.

The Cobras lost a heartbreaker in game two in a contest that was much closer than the 10-3 final score indicated. PC built an early 3-0 lead scoring a run in the 1st on a bases loaded walk, another run in the 2nd on a Kniepmann single, and their final run in the 4th on a Braden sacrifice fly,

Trailing 3-0 in the top of the 5th, HCC loaded the bases and scored on an infield ground out to cut the margin to two. After an intentional walk to the nation's leading HR hitter re-loaded the bases, back to back errors doomed the Cobras. A popup off the glove of the pitcher and a dropped fly ball in center led to three more Hawk runs as they grabbed a 4-3 lead. PC would load the bases themselves in the bottom of the inning but Kniepmann was retired on a fly ball to left to end the inning. In the 7th, HCC collected six hits and a walk off two PC hurlers to score six times and put the game out of reach.

The split leaves PC at (36-18 22-6) while Heartland stands at (52-13 25-5). The Hawks wrap up their regular season tomorrow when they host Lincoln. A sweep would give HCC the outright M-WAC title and the #1 seed while a split would leave the door open for both PC or Lincoln Land to tie them for the M-WAC championship. The Cobras will travel to DACC on Sunday and John Wood on Monday while the Loggers go to Wood tomorrow and host Lewis and Clark on Monday.


Game 1:

HCC 000 040 6 10 13 2
PC 110 100 0 3 5 3

Wilson and Burge
Hull, Lust (7) and McNutt
W-Wilson L-Hull

Game 2:
HCC 000 00 0 2 1
PC 310 23 9 10 0

Goetze, Brown (2) and Tjarks
Kimble and Klein
W-Kimble L-Goetze

HR-Rentschler (PC), Kniepmann (PC)

The #11 Parkland Softball team out hit the #7 Kankakee Cavaliers 16-15 on the day but the Cavs got the hits when they counted as they swept the Cobras for the second time this season winning 7-3 and 4-2. The losses continue the Cobras struggles against nationally ranked foes as PC is now just (4-12) against other top #20 teams and (31-5) against all of their other opponents. PC will get one more crack at a ranked opponent during the regular season when they host #5 Heartland on Saturday at 1:00.

The Cavs started slowly against Cobra starter Taylor Hull who struck out five of the first ten hitters in the game. KCC would then put together four hits and a base on balls to score four times in the 3rd. PC would answer back in the bottom of the inning to cut the deficit in half as Kelsey Kniepmann walked and Macy Shupe followed with a single. After both runners moved up on a passed ball. Raeshel Braden delivered a sacrifice fly to right and Dayna McNutt singled to center to make it 4-2. After the first two Cavs were retired in the 4th, the visitors strung together five consecutive hits to score three times and put the game on ice. PC would score a final run in their last at bat as Megan DeWerff reached on a one-out single and scored on a Kniepmann double. Elizabeth Sprague finished with 2 hits for PC and Hull struck out a career high despite picking up the loss.

The finale followed a similar path as KCC grabbed the early lead and never looked back. Trailing 1-0, PC would tie the game as Alison Kimble stroked a single to score Sprague who had singled earlier in the inning. Despite having runners at the corners with one out, PC did not score again in the inning after a strikeout and ground out. KCC would score two more times in the 3rd and another run in the 5th to build the lead to 4-1 before PC would tally a single run in the 5th. Megan DeWerff reached on an error and scored on Shupe's double to cut the margin to two. Pitcher Alison Kimble would keep the Cobras close retiring the final nine hitters of the game giving PC a chance to rally late. The Cobras did bring the tying run to the plate in their last at bat after DeWerff reached on a one out double, but the final two hitters were retired to end the game. Shupe, Braden, and Sprague each had two hits for PC which drops to (35-17) with the defeats. KCC moves up to (45-9) with the wins.

Parkland has six games left before the post-season as they try to catch Heartland for the M-WAC title and the top seed in the Region 24 tournament. After hosting the Hawks on Saturday, PC will travel to DACC on Sunday and John Wood on Monday to wrap up the regular season.

Gm 1:

KCC 004 300 0 7 9 1
PC 002 000 1 3 7 3

Slifer and Ypya
Hull and McNutt


Gm 2:

KCC 012 010 0 4 6 1
PC 010 010 0 2 9 1

Coy and Donley
Kimble and Fitzgerald

The #11 Parkland Softball team took 3 of 4 games on Tuesday and Wednesday as they traveled to ICC and So. Suburban for a pair of non-conference doubleheaders. PC split with the host Cougars on Tuesday afternoon before beating So. Suburban on Wednesday, winning by the run-rule in both games. The Cobras will host #7 Kankakee on Thursday before playing six M-WAC games on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, including their home finale on Saturday with #4 Heartland.

Game 1: ICC 4 PC 2

After ICC scored a run in the first, PC would grab the lead in the 5th scoring twice. After a lead off fly out, Megan DeWerff singled and Kelsey Kniepmann doubled to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. Macy Shupe tied the game with a sacrifice fly to left and Raeshel Braden followed with a run scoring double to put the Cobras on top. The score remained that way until the bottom of the sixth when ICC would score three times after two were out. The inning appeared to be going in the Cobras favor as ICC had a runner at first with two outs and the bottom third of their line-up coming up. Cobra starter Alison Kimble then walked the next hitter before the ICC pitcher, hitting for herself, tied the game with a base hit. Kimble hit the next hitter to load the bases and ICC's Justine Phillips delivered a two-run game-winning single. PC would bring the tying run to the plate in the 7th but Kniepmann popped out and Shupe grounded out to end the ball game. DeWerff was the lone PC player with multiple hits going 2-3.

Game 2: PC 5 ICC 1

ICC would jump on top again in game two with a single tally in the first but Taylor Hull would shut the Cougar offense down and not allow another run while striking out three to earn the win. Meanwhile the PC offense would piece together enough hits and take advantage of several ICC miscues to score five runs. The Cobras scored three times in the 4th using three hits and two ICC errors to get on the board. PC would put the game away in the 7th scoring twice, one on a Shupe single and another on a sacrifice fly by Braden. DeWerff once again paced the offense with a pair of hits.

Game 3: PC 14 So. Suburban 3

It was all Cobras as PC pummeled the Bulldogs 14-3. The visiting Cobras would strike fast as Kelsey Kniepmann singled and stole second to start the game. Macy Shupe followed with a walk and then the pair executed a double steal. Raeshel Braden followed with a sac. fly and Dayna McNutt reached on an error to make it 2-0 after just one inning. PC would push across four more runs in the 3rd using four hits, two hit batters, and a walk. After So. Sub scored twice in the bottom of the inning to cut the margin to 6-2, the Cobras would score one in the 5th on a Braden home run and explode for seven runs in the 5th. The long ball was big for PC in the inning as Tab Davis hit a grand slam home run and Tana Rentschler added a solo shot. Dewerff and Braden each had a pair of hits while Lauren Klein went 3-4 and scored twice for the victorious Cobras. Shelby Lust (6-1) picked up the win allowing three runs while striking out six.

Game 4: PC 16 So. Sub 2

After a slow start in game two, it was more of the same late as the PC offense woke up scoring 15 runs over the final three innings including nine in the 3rd inning as PC sent 14 hitters to the plate during the inning. Another Cobra grand slam, this one off the bat of Raeshel Braden was the big blow of the inning. Four Cobra hitters had multiple hit games led by Braden who went 2-2 with 2 runs scored and 5 RBI. Other big hitters included Elizabeth Sprague who went 3-3, Kelsey Kniepmann who drove in 3 runs and scored twice, Erika Fitzgerald with 2 hits and 3 RBI, and Macy Shupe who also had 2 hits and 2 runs scored. Amy Simpson (7-4) earned the win giving up two runs on six hits and striking out 5 hitters.

 

The #10 ranked PC Softball team used a pair of strong pitching performances to blank host Lewis and Clark 2-0 and 9-0 on Saturday afternoon in Godfrey. The two Cobras hurlers did not allow a run giving up just eight hits while walking 1 and striking out 8 on the day.

In the opener, Taylor Hull (7-4) threw a 5-hitter, allowing just one walk and striking out three. Scoreless in the top of the third, PC broke on top as Elizabeth Sprague lead off the inning with a monster home run over the scoreboard in left. The Cobras would score again in the 4th when Megan DeWerff started the inning with a single and came home on Kelsey Kniepmann's RBI double. The Blazers only threat came in the bottom of the 4th loading the bases with three consecutive singles before Hull got a force out at the plate and a ground out to second to end the inning. Kniepmann paced the attack with 2 triples and an RBI.

In game two, Ali Kimble (9-3) followed up Hull's performance with a gem of her own allowing just three hits while walking none and striking out five Blazer hitters. The game was scoreless until the top of the 4th when Taylor Hull would score on a Kniepmann single. The Cobras broke the game open scoring 8 runs in the 5th and 6th innings. Kniepmann, Kimble, and Raeshel Braden all had hit 3 hits while Sprague and Macy Shupe each had a pair. Kniepmann also drove in three runs in the game while DeWerff knocked home a pair. Kimble worked out of a bases loaded no out jam in the 3rd getting a strikeout and starting an inning-ending 1-2-3 double play.

Parkland improves to (32-14 21-5) with the wins while Lewis and Clark falls to (7-29 5-15). PC will continue their weekend road trip with a pair of games at John Wood in Quincy on Sunday at noon.

The #10 PC Softball split a pair of games with #17 Sauk Valley on Wednesday, winning the opener 9-1 before letting game two slip away in an 8-7 defeat.

PC cruised in the opener as Shelby Lust (5-1) gave up just one run on seven hits to earn the win. PC would get on top early scoring a pair of runs in both the 2nd and 3rd innings. In the second, Dayna McNutt and Elizabeth Sprague singled to start the inning and move to second on a sacrifice bunt. Alison Kimble chased home the first run with a sacrifice fly and Erika Fitzgerald followed with an RBI single. In the third, Megan DeWerff started the inning with a walk, Macy Shupe followed with a single, and Raeshel Braen made it 3-0 with an RBI single. McNutt followed with a run scoring single to wrap up the scoring in the inning.

After Sauk Valley scored a single run in the bottom of the inning. PC would get that run back in the 5th with a single and stolen base by Shupe and an RBI ground out by McNutt. The Cobras would put the game away with a four-run 6th. Shupe delivered the big blow with a bases clearing double scoring three runs and she later scored on Braden's single. Shupe finished 3-4 in the contest scoring three times, driving in three, and swiping a trio of bases. Braden and McNutt both had 2 hits and 2 RBI in the win.

The second game was an error plagued contest that saw the Cobras blow a 7-3 late, dropping the one-run contest. PC looked like it would get the sweep on Wednesday jumping out to a quick 3-0 lead after 3 innings. Shupe and McNutt both had hits in the first to make it 1-0 and DeWerff roped a two-run triple in the second to put PC up three. The hosts would tie the game in the bottom of the 4th when PC made three errors in the inning sandwiched around two SV hits.

Despite the defensive lapse, PC looked like they would survive as they answered back with three runs in the 5th. With the bases loaded and two outs, Tana Rentschler delivered a two-run single and Kimble followed with an RBI single and the lead was back to three. When PC scored a run in the 6th to move the margin to 7-3 the lead appeared safe but unfortunately Sauk would cut the deficit in half scoring two more unearned runs in the 6th before rallying to win in the bottom of the 7th. After retiring the lead-off hitter, Cobra starter Tab Davis gave up back to back hits and hit a batter before the Skyhawks won the game with a bases clearing double by the #9 hitter. Tab Davis (5-2) was the tough luck loser allowing just two earned runs in 6.1 innings of work as PC made a season-high 7 errors. Shupe continued her hot hitting collecting 3 more hits and swiping three more bases while DeWerff had 3 hits, 2 RBI, and scored twice. Dayna McNutt and Kimble also had two hits in the loss.

After a much deserved day-off, PC (30-14) will host #6 Kankakee at 2:30 on Friday before traveling to Lewis and Clark and John Wood for four very important M-WAC games. Sauk Valley is now (39-11) as they continue action in Region 4 play.


Gm 1:

PC 022 014 0 9 10 0
SV 001 000 0 1 7 1

Gm 2:
PC 120 031 0 7 11 7
SV 000 302 3 8 10 4

The Parkland Softball team hit three-home runs in route to a 13-1 pounding of Robert Morris as the Cobras took a pair of games on Tuesday afternoon. PC won the opener 4-1 behind the arm of Tabitha Davis and timely hitting by the Cobra offense.

In the 13-1 win the Cobras pounded out 11 hits, seven going for extra bases. PC scored twice in the 1st and busted the game open with a seven-run 2nd. Dayna McNutt had a two-run double and Elizabeth Sprague roped a two-run homer to account for 4 of the runs in the inning. The Cobras would go deep twice in the 3rd to score four more times. Megan DeWerff led off with a single and came home on a Macy Shupe home run and after Kim Lamar doubled, Tana Rentschler hit a two run homer of her own. The outburst was more then enough for Cobra pitcher Amy Simpson (6-4) who went the distance to earn the win. She allowed one run on just five hits in five innings of work. Seven different players drove in runs for PC during the game with Rentshcler and Alison Kimble each picking up two hits and DeWerff scoring three times.

The opener was a much different contest as runs were harder to come by. PC jumped on top in the first behind a pair of singles and Shupe and Braden before Shupe came home on a sacrifice fly by McNutt. Robert Morris tied it in the 2nd and the game remained deadlocked until the 4th when PC would regain the lead for good. Alison Kimble doubled with one out and after Hull popped out, Kaitlyn Winkler broke the tie with her own RBI double. The Cobras would add an unearned run in the 5th as two RMU errors helped PC score and then tacked on an insurance run in the 6th as Winkler reached on an error and later scored on a two out single by Shupe. Shupe, Braden, and Kimble each collected two hits in the contest. Tabitha Davis (5-1) earned the win going the distance allowing just one run in seven solid innings.

PC (29-13) travel north to Dixon for a doubleheader Wednesday afternoon with Sauk Valley.

RMU 010 000 0 1 7 4
PC 100 111 X 4 10 1

Ash and Lindlay
Davis and McNuttt
W-Davis (5-1)

Gm 2:

RMU 100 00 1 5 3
PC 274 0X 13 11 1

Scott and Lindlay
Simpson and Klein
W-Simpson (6-4)

HR-Sprague (PC) Shupe (PC), and Rentschler (PC)

The Parkland and Lincoln Land Softball teams split their doubleheader for the second time this season, leaving them tied for 2nd in the M-WAC conference. LLCC won the opener 7-3 while the Cobras came back to win game two, 5-3.

In the win, Alison Kimble (8-3) kept the Loggers at bay for the first six innings, not allowing a run. Meanwhile her teammates gave her plenty of run support, starting with the opening inning. After Megan DeWerff lead off with a single, Macy Shupe cracked a two-run home run to give the Cobras the early lead. PC would tack on another run in the third as Raeshel Braden singled, moved up to second on a walk, and scored on Elizabeth Sprague's single. PC would continue to pad the lead scoring in the 5th on a Kaitlyn Winkler RBI double and again in the 6th on Rentschler's sacrifice fly to left. Sprague and DeWerff paced the offense with 2 hits apiece. Lincoln Land would rally scoring three times in the bottom of the 7th, and actually had the winning run at the plate but Kimble would strike out the LLCC hitter to end the contest.

Lincoln Land won game one battering starting pitcher Taylor Hull (6-4) for 7 runs on 11 hits. PC trailed just 3-2 in the 3rd before a Logger three-run home run gave LLCC all the runs they would need. PC would threaten over the final two innings but could not score. Dayna McNutt was the lone Cobra with multiple hits going 2-3 while Elizabeth Sprague drove in two runs with a home run of her own.

The split starts a busy week for the Cobras who have games 10 games between now and the end of the day Sunday. PC (27-13 16-4) will host Robert Morris College of Springfield starting at 3:00 on Tuesday. Lincoln Land now stands (27-16 16-4) with both teams now two games behind league leading Heartland.

The Parkland College Softball team made quick work of visiting Spoon River College beating the Mudcats 9-1 and 9-0 on Sunday afternoon in Champaign.

After SRC used a solo home run in the first to grab a 1-0 lead, PC bounced right back scoring five runs of their own. Megan DeWerff walked and stole second before scoring on a Macy Shupe double. After a strikeout and walk, Liz Sprague broke the tie with an RBI single and Tana Rentschler put PC on top with an RBI double off the center field wall. Alison Kimble followed with a two-run single to cap the five run uprising. PC would add another run in the 2nd on a Raeshel Braden single and another solo run in the 3rd when Shupe walked to force in a run. Kimble and DeWerff each drove in a run in the 4th to complete the scoring. Kimble finished the game 3-3 with 2 runs scored and 3 RBI. Shelby Lust (4-1) earned the win allowing just one run on four hits while striking out seven in five innings of work.

Amy Simpson (5-4) was in complete control in game 2 as the sophomore tossed a three hitter, walking one and striking out a pair in the six inning shutout. She would get all the offense she would need in the first as DeWerff lead off with a triple and scored on an infield run down after Macy Shupe reached on an error. Raeshel Braden made it 3-0 after she homered in the 3rd and PC would use the long ball again an inning later as Kaityln Winkler led off the 4th with a deep home run to right center. Later in the inning Braden would keep up her big day with an RBI double. The Cobras ended the game in the bottom of the 6th scoring four times. Shupe led off with a double and came home on a Braden single. Braden would then steal second and score on a Taylor Hull single before Elizabeth Sprague ended the contest with a two-run home run. Braden finished the game a perfect 4-4 with 4 RBI and 2 runs scored. Macy Shupe also had a big game with 2 hits, 2 stolen bases, and scored 3 times. Sprague and Winkler also had two hits as PC banged out 15 hits in the game.

The victories improve #13 PC to (26-12 18-4) with a very busy week coming up. First up will be a 2:00 doubleheader at M-WAC rival Lincoln Land on Monday. The Loggers, Cobras, and Heartland are all within one game of each other for the top spot in the conference.

Gm 1:

SRC 100 00 1 5 1
PC 511 2X 9 8 0

Calhoun and Blevins
Lust and Klein
W-Lust (4-1) L-Calhoun

HR-Ford (SRC)

Gm 2:
SRC 000 000 0 3 2
PC 102 204 9 15 0
Rhoder and Blevins
Simpson and Fitzgerald
W-Simpson (5-4)

HR-Braden (PC), Winkler (PC, Sprague (PC)

Shelby Lust worked out of a bases loaded jam in the top of the 7th to help the #13 Parkland Softball team hang on for a 7-6 win and a sweep of their doubleheader against Lincoln College. The Cobras pounded the Lynx 13-3 in the opener and took all four games from them this season.

Lust was summoned from the bullpen in relief of starter and winner Tabitha Davis (4-1) who exited with runners at first and third with nobody out in the 7th. After Lust retired the first hitter on a pop out to second, Gretchen Stenger followed with an RBI single to center and Casey Barretts walked to load the bases. Pinch hitter Jessica Dorgan hit a ball between short and third that Cobra shortstop Macy Shupe fielded and threw a strike to the plate to nip Christi Dixon for the 2nd out. Jana Wright then flew out to center to end the ball game. Davis earned the win, surviving a shaky five-run 2nd by shutting down the Lynx over the next four innings allowing just one hit while striking out three during that stretch.

PC broke on top early as Kelsey Kniepmann hit a lead-off home run, her 5th of the season, and then tacked on three more runs to grab a 4-0 lead. Lincoln would hit the Cobras with five runs in the top of the 2nd and the score would remain that way until PC would tie the game on an RBI single by Tana Rentschler and go ahead on an RBI single by Lauren Klein in the bottom of the 5th. Dayna McNutt's sacrifice fly in the 6th gave the Cobras a 7-5 advantage before the Lynx rallied in the 7th. Rentschler, Kniepmann, and Liz Sprague all had two hits while Macy Shupe reached based all four times with a single and three walks.

It was all Cobras in game one as PC pounded out 10 hits and scored 13 runs in a 13-3 rout. PC scored three times in the first and put the game away with a six run 2nd. Raeshel Braden was the big hitting star in the game going a perfect 4-4 with 4 RBI, 3 runs scored and 2 stolen bases. Other hitting stars included Macy Shupe who was 2-2 scoring three times. Dayna McNutt who had two hits, scored twice and drove in a pair, and Kniepmann who had 2 RBI and scored two runs. Alison Kimble (7-3) picked up the win allowing 3 runs on 6 hits and striking out 7.

The Cobras improve to (24-12 13-3 while the Lynx drop to (9-19 3-13). PC will continue their busy stretch of games when they host the UI Club Team for a pair of games starting at 3:00.

Alison Kimble tossed a complete game three hit shutout to lead the Cobras to a 1-0 victory and a split of their Region 24 doubleheader with ICC. The freshman kept the Cougars off-stride all-afternoon, walking three and striking out seven. ICC had only two runners reach 2nd base the entire game and none after the third inning. PC mustered only four hits in the contest themselves, but put two of them together in the 5th inning to get on the board. Tana Rentschler lead off the inning with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Taylor Hull. After Kimble flew out to left, Kaitlyn Winkler delivered an RBI double into the gap in right center for the only run of the game.

In the opener, miscues on both offense and defense doomed the Cobras in a 7-5 loss. For the first five innings the two teams matched scores inning by inning with the same number of runs and hits. ICC started the scoring with two unearned runs in the top of the 2nd before Kelsey Kniepmann tied it with a line drive blast over the left field fence in the bottom of the frame. ICC would answer right back with two more runs to make it 4-2 before PC would tie the game as Brittany Einck walked to force in a run and Kniepmann singled in a run. The Cobras had a chance to score more but a strikeout and pop-up ended the uprising.

Once again ICC would answer back with a single tally in the 5th only to see the Cobras tie it on Tana Rentschler's single. The Cobras however stranded two more runners in the inning and the next time ICC would score, PC would not have an answer. The Cougars used a walk and two hits to score twice in the 6th and winning pitcher Dani Williams would retire 8 of the final 9 hitters she faced to preserve the win. Kelsey Kniepmann had a fine game for PC going 3--4 with 3 RBI.

The split leaves PC at (20-10 9-1) and puts the Cobras at 12-2 in Region 24, one game ahead of tomorrow's opponent the Heartland Hawks. The #12 Cobras and #3 Hawks (35-7 8-2 11-3) will face off in a pair of games starting at 4:00 at the Corn Crib in Bloomington.

Taylor Hull (5-2) tossed a three hitter in game 1 and Alison Kimble (4-0) followed with a three-hitter of her own in game 2 as the PC Women's Softball team shutout John Wood twice winning by the scores of 13-0 and 14-0. The sweep puts the winning streak at eight games and moves the Cobras into first place in the M-WAC after Lincoln Land and Heartland split two games on Sunday.

Hull struck out five and walked nobody as she won for the fifth time this season. Macy Shupe broke the game open in the 2nd inning as she hit a grand slam home run over the fence in left centerfield. Raeshel Braden added a solo home run in the 3rd and Kelsey Kniepmann had two hits and drove home four runs.

In the finale, Kimble picked up right where Hull left off striking out 3 and walking none in earning the win. Erika Fitzgerald hit Parkland's fourth grand slam of the season in the Cobras ten run 4th inning. Raeshel Braden had 3 hits, including two doubles, and 2 RBI while Shupe added 2 hits and 3 RBI and Elizabeth Sprague had 2 hits and drove in a run for the victorious Cobras.

The wins move PC to (19-9 9-1) in the M-WAC. After taking care of business against some of the M-WAC's weaker teams, the schedule will get much more competitive this week. PC faces Region 24 rival ICC at home on Wednesday, travel to nationally-ranked Heartland on Thursday, and takes on a much improved Danville squad on Saturday.

The Parkland Softball team capped off a six-game in three day swing by sweeping M-WAC foe Lincoln College 11-3 and 14-5. on Thursday afternoon in Lincoln. After being swept by Kankakee on Tuesday, PC has now won four straight after winning twice today and two yesterday over Lincoln Trail.

PC won the first game 11-3 in a contest called after six innings. Taylor Hull (4-2) gave up 3 earned runs on 7 hits to pick up the win. Raeshel Braden and Macy Shupe each had three hits in the game while Elizabeth Sprague, Kim Lamar, and Brittany Einck each had 2.

Game two was played in a constant drizzle and also ended after six innings due to the mercy rule. Trailing 3-2 after two innings, PC took control with a four run 3rd inning. Two of the runs came home on Sprague's towering two run homer deep over the left field wall. Lauren Klein had three hits including two doubles and also drove home three runs. Tana Rentschler also had three hits, scored three times while driving in a pair. Kelsey Kniepmann added three hits and Alison Kimble two hits and two RBI to pace the attack. After a rough start, Amy Simpson (4-3) took control and picked up the win.

Parkland (15-9 5-1) will try to build on their winning streak when they host Lewis and Clark at 1:00 on Saturday and John Wood at 1:00 on Sunday.

The Parkland College Softball team swept Lincoln Trail 11-1 and 2-0 on Wednesday, earning longtime Cobra coach Chuck Clutts his 500th and 501st career wins. Clutts is now 501-177-2 in 12 years at the helm of the program.

PC made sure Clutts would reach the landmark in the opener as PC pounded the Statesmen. Tab Davis tossed a gem, allowing just three hits and striking out four. Davis was backed by a 12-hit attack by the offense as PC jumped on top early scoring four runs in the 2nd on three hits and a walk. Elizabeth Sprague paced the offense with four hits while Kelsey Kniepmann added three hits and drove in three runs. Macey Shupe also collected a pair of hits for the winning Cobras.

In the finale. Ali Kimble followed with her own three-hitter shutting out the hosts. Kimble improved to (3-2) striking out three and walking no one. Kniepmann had another good game at the plate banging out a double and triple. Erika Fitzgerald would give PC all the offense they would need with an RBI double scoring Kimble. Fitzgerald would later scored on Kniepmann's double.

An oddity of the double header was not a single out was recorded by the Cobra outfield. Every out made by the Statesmen was either a strikeout or ground out. Parkland (13-9 3-1) backs into M-WAC play on Thursday when they travel to Lincoln to play the Lynx.

The Parkland Softball team took out the frustrations of a missed chance on Saturday and pummeled winless Spoon River 20-1 and 10-0 on Sunday in Canton. The sweep moves PC to (11-7 3-1) while SRC drops to (0-12 0-2). SRC has now been outscored 131-7 so far this season.

PC made quick work of the hosts in the opener scoring a record 14 runs in the first inning. The Cobras used eight hits and five walks in the inning which included grand slam home runs by Kelsey Kniepmann and Brittany Einck. Kniepmann also homered in the 2nd inning and finished the game 3 hits while Einck drove in 6 runs. Erick Fitzgerald continued her hot hitting driving in three runs and Raeshel Braden and Tana Rentschler each had two hits in the win. Tab Davis (1-1) earned her first win allowing one run while striking out five.

In game 2, Amy Simpson just missed out on a no-hitter as she worked 6.1 innings of hitless ball before giving up a single in the 7th. The sophomore improved to (3-2), striking out six in picking up the victory. PC pounded out 17 hits and were lead by Kaitlyn Winkler who had 3 hits and 5 RBI. Taylor Hull added three hits, Liz Sprague two more hits and two runs driven in, while Kniepman and Ali Kimble each had two hits for the victorious Cobras.

The wins leave PC Coach Chuck Clutts just one win short of the 500 win mark as the long time leader of the Cobras now has a career record of 499-175-2. He will have plenty of chances to pick up win #500 this week as the Cobras have a string of six games from Tuesday to Thursday. PC will play at Kankakee on Tuesday, travel to Lincoln Trail on Wednesday, and are on the road again Thursday at Lincoln College.

The Parkland College Softball team couldn't keep up the momentum of a strong Florida trip as they lost a pair of games to Jefferson College in Missouri on Wednesday afternoon. PC lost the opener 9-7 and dropped the night cap 8-2.

In the first game, PC jumped out to an early lead 4-1 lead after only two innings before the home standing Vikings would tie the game in the 3rd. Shelby Lust got the start for PC and was relieved in the 5th by Taylor Hull (2-2) who took the loss allowing four earned runs in the 6th. Offensively, the Cobras banged out 13 hits and were lead by a trio of players. Elizabeth Sprague had a team high four hits, Macey Shupe added two hits and drove in a pair of runs, while Kelsey Knieppmann also had two hits and scored twice.

After losing the heart breaker in game one, PC never got untracked in the finale, falling 8-2. Starting and losing pitcher gave up six earned runs before giving way to Tab Davis who was able to keep the Vikings off the board for the remainder of the game. After pounding the ball in the opener, PC managed only five hits in the second contest. Megan DeWerff got two of them on a double and a triple while Knieppmann lead off the game with a solo home run, the first of her college career.

Weather permitting, PC (8-6) will jump into M-WAC action with six games between Thursday and Sunday. The Cobras will travel to Lincoln to take on the Lynx on Thursday, host Lincoln Land on Saturday, before heading to Spoon River on Sunday.

The Parkland Softball team concluded a winning southern trip today, sweeping Jefferson-Davis CC of Alabama 9-8 and 5-2. The wins improved PC to (8-4) on the year, 6-4 on their swing through Alabama and Florida. The Warhawks fell to (5-15) with the defeats.

In game 1, Cobra starter Tabatha Davis lasted just 2.2 innings allowing 7 runs on 7 hits. Trailing 7-5 after three innings. Alison Kimble (2-1) took over on the mound for PC and allowed just one run over the final four innings. Kelsey Kniepmann paced the Cobras offense collecting three hits in the contest and also scoring twice. Raeshel Braden and Elizabeth Sprague each drove in three runs and had two hits apiece.

In game two, Jefferson-Davis jumped out to an early 2-0 lead off Amy Simpson. From there Simpson (2-1) was in complete control, scattering four hits and allowing no runs over the final six innings. Down two in the top of the 3rd, Kaitlyn Winkler led off with a solo shot over the left field fence for her first collegiate home run. PC tacked on two more runs later in the inning and scored two insurance runs in the 5th on RBI by Kniepmann and Macey Shupe. Kniepmann had two more in the game to finish with five on the day while Megan DeWerff also had two hits against the Warhawks.

 

After a disappointing extra inning 8-6 loss in game one, the Cobra Softball team exploded for 11 runs in the finale and whipped Blackhawk 11-1, in a game called after 5 innings due to the run rule.

Hurler Amy Simpson was the tough luck loser in the opener as she was the victim of a tough day in the field by the Cobras who committed 5 errors leading to five unearned runs crossing the plate for the Braves. Macey Shupe paced the Cobra offense with 3 hits, including two doubles, and scored twice. Megan DeWerff had a triple as part of a two hit game for her and she also drove in a run.

In the second game victory, neither team would score in the first two innings but the Cobras would break the game wide open with a seven run 3rd inning, putting a walk and six hits together to score the seven runs. This would be all the run support Shelby Lust (2-0) would need to beat the Braves. The sophomore scattered six hits and allowed just one run while striking out a pair. PC knocked 11 hits in the win as three players each collected two hits. Brittany Einck had two hits and 2 RBI, Alison Kimble had two hits and drove in a run, and Lauren Klein also picked up a pair of hits. Raeshel Braden drove in two runs for PC who ended a three game losing streak with the victory.

After six games in three days, the Cobras will take tomorrow off before finishing their road trip with a pair of doubleheaders. Thursday PC will square off against Three Rivers Mo. (8-4) and Friday will face Jefferson-Davis Al. (8-17). Parkland stands (5-3) on the season while the Braves dropped to (4-1).

The Parkland Softball team started the 2012 season on the right foot as they swept a pair of games from visiting Shawnee, beating the Saints 9-6 and 6-2. On a cool and very windy day, the Cobra pounded out 23 hits on the afternoon and received solid starting pitching to earn the sweep.

After spotting the Saints to an early 3-0 lead, PC bounced right back in their half of the first inning when Kelsey Kniepmann led off with a single and two outs later scored on a home run by Dayna McNutt. Down a run in the third, the Cobras used the long ball to grab the lead. Macy Shupe tied the game with a solo home run and McNutt gave the Cobras the lead with her second home run of the contest.

Shawnee tied the game with a solo home run of their own in the 4th but PC would not be denied. The Cobras scored twice in the fifth as McNutt knocked in a run to give PC the lead for good and Elizabeth Sprague followed with an RBI single of her own. Parkland added three insurance runs in the 6th as Megan DeWerff hit the Cobras fourth solo home run of the game and McNutt drove in two more with a double. On the game, the Cobra catcher went 3-4 with a career high 6 RBI, Shupe, DeWerff, and Raeshel Braden each had two hits in the contest. Amy Simpson earned the complete game win,

In the finale, PC grabbed control early scoring two in the first and four in the third to take control of the game. Kniepmann led off with a walk, stole second, and scored on an RBI single by Shupe. One out later, Shupe scored on McNutt's RBI single. In the third. PC put together six base hits to score four times. Braden, McNutt, and Sprague each came thru with RBI in the inning. The runs would be plenty for Cobra starter Shelby Lust who allowed just one earned run in seven innings scattering 7 hits and walking just one. McNutt and Shupe each collected two hits in the victory as did freshman Lauren Klein.

PC (2-0) will travel to Pensacola Florida on Friday night and will begin play Sunday with single games against SE Illinois and Pensacola State. The Cobras will play 10 games on their trip. Shawnee drops to (5-5) with the losses.

Coach Chuck Clutts will begin his 12th season as the Head Coach of the Parkland College Softball team when the Cobras open play this afternoon with a 2:00 Region 24 doubleheader against Shawnee CC. Clutts needs just 12 more wins to reach the 500 victory plateau, compiling a record of 488-168-2 at PC.

Today's opponent Shawnee, already has eight games under their belt, and enter the contests with a record of (5-3) having swept Dyersburg State and splitting with Olney, SE Illinois, and William's Baptist College. The Cobras will send a pair of sophomores to the mound on Wednesday. Amy Simpson will get the start in game one after going (5-2) with a 2.29 ERA last season. Fellow sophomore Shelby Lust gets the nod in game two, Lust was (6-0) and compiled a team low 1.94 earned run average as a freshman.

At the plate the Cobras, ranked #17 in the pre-season NJCAA poll, return seven hitters four of whom had over 100 at-bats each. Leading the group is Macy Shupe who hit .374 last season and finished 3rd on the team in RBI with 39. Elizabeth Sprague (.340), Brittany Einck (.326), and Erika Fitzgerald (.260) pace the attack along with several freshmen.

As always, the Cobras will play a high caliber schedule, facing numerous ranked opponents. After the Shawnee games, PC will head south to Pensacola Florida next week where they will face off against #4 Iowa Central and #15 Johnson County along with several NJCAA D-1 foes. Also on the schedule this season our four games series with #2 Kankakee and #6 Heartland as well as two games against #18 Sauk Valley.

As in the past, all home games are free of charge and if you can't make it out in person, all home games and the post-season will be carried on cobrasports.net.