News Summary

The Edwardsville High School softball team kicked off its 2025 season with a record-breaking practice turnout of 36 players. Under Coach Caty Happe, the team prepares for an exciting season after celebrating previous accomplishments and welcoming new talent. With key players returning and new faces on the roster, they aim to improve their skills and compete fiercely in upcoming matches, starting on March 18 against Freeburg.

Edwardsville’s Softball Team Kicks Off 2025 Season with Record-Breaking Turnout!

Edwardsville is buzzing with excitement as the Edwardsville High School softball team recently held its first spring practice of the 2025 season on March 3. Coaches, players, and fans gathered at the District 7 Sports Complex to kick off what promises to be another thrilling season for the Tigers. This year, the program is celebrating a massive turnout, with a whopping 36 girls hitting the field for the first practice day!

Under the direction of Coach Caty Happe, who has been at the helm since the team secured a respectable third-place finish in the Class 4A state tournament back in the 2021-22 season, the turnout is the largest ever recorded during her tenure. It’s clear that the enthusiasm for softball is growing in Edwardsville, and a significant part of this increase can be attributed to the changes made to the middle school programs. Back in Fall 2023, Liberty and Lincoln schools split into separate programs, allowing more girls to get involved with the sport and nurturing fresh talent for the high school level.

This higher turnout means the team can hit the ground running and engage in *internal scrimmages*, enhancing competition for every single position across the roster. On their first day, participants engaged in a variety of drills that included pitchers throwing to hitters, along with important *fielding and hitting drills*. With the weather cooperating, hitting the high 50s to low 60s, it was a perfect day for a practice that promises to lay the foundation for a bright season ahead.

The excitement is palpable among the players as they come off a stellar 2024 season, boasting an impressive record of 23 wins and just 9 losses. The team has dominated the regional scene with six consecutive victories in regional championships and clinched 11 straight titles in the Southwestern Conference. The last four league titles were even celebrated jointly with Belleville East, adding to the anticipation of what’s in store for this season.

However, the team will need to navigate some changes with the graduation of four key players from last year’s squad: Jilian Hawkes, Jillian Lane, Reese McNamara, and Graham Cobb-Gulledge. Luckily, the returning senior class features some dynamic talent, including pitcher Riley Nelson and outfielder Madi Kolakowski. Fans will also be excited to see key returning junior players like utility star Audrey De La Torre Cruz, shortstop Grace Oertle, catcher Remi Werden, and the ever-versatile Amelia Wilfong take their positions. After missing last season due to an injury, junior pitcher Marley Fox is also back, adding to the team’s strong lineup.

The roster also includes three sophomores who made significant contributions as freshmen: infielder Sophie Antonini, outfielder Brooke Burris, and pitcher Kylie Lintker. With approximately half of the players at practice being newcomers to the program this year, the coaching staff is aware that there will be a learning curve to navigate as they integrate new talent into the mix.

The season opener is just around the corner, set for March 18 against Freeburg at 4:30 p.m. Home crowds are eagerly anticipating the thrilling matchup against Breese Central on March 21, also at 4:30 p.m. The coaches and players know that expectations are high, as they didn’t feel they quite reached their goals last year. One of the primary focuses this season will be to improve their hitting skills, something that the coaching staff is keenly addressing as they gear up for an action-packed season.

Stay tuned, Edwardsville, and rally around your Tigers as they embark on their journey for glory this season!

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