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FRNAK WILKINS THNAK YOU

Softball Chris Kuchta

Wilkins Era Ends Following Pair of Playoff Setbacks

KEWASKUM, Wis. --- The winningest head coach in Prairie State softball history saw his long and successful 11-season tenure come to an end Friday afternoon, following a pair of losses in the NJCAA Region 4 playoffs.
 
Legendary PSC skipper Frank Wilkins closed out a career which saw him win a program best 211 times following a 13-11 loss to Bryant and Stratton and 17-9 setback against Lake County in a best of three postseason series played at Kewaskum High School.
 
The Pioneers closed out the 2025 campaign with an overall record of 19-30, their best in five seasons.
 
Including a decade-long run at the now defunct St. Joseph's College in Indiana, Wilkins, who came to Prairie State in the summer of 2014, notched 529 career victories. 
 
Wilkins' teams at PSC won Illinois Skyway Conference championships in 2016, 2018 and 2019.  They also appeared in the Region 4 finals in each of those campaigns. 
 
Wilkins was named Skyway Conference Coach of the Year in 2016, 2018 and 2019 as well.
 
His 2018 and 2019 squads did not lose a game in conference play.
 
Despite his success at PSC, the crown jewel of Wilkins' career came in 2012 when he guided St. Joseph's to the NCAA Division II World Series in a season which saw the Pumas post a record of 40-21.
 
Wilkins and the 2012 team were inducted into the St. Joseph's Hall of Fame in 2023.
 
Friday, despite a strong effort, the Pioneers were just unable to hang on.
 
PSC did witness several players record strong outings in both games however.
 
Sophomore shortstop Audrey Schau (Hackett Catholic H.S.) homered for a school record 20th time in a 3-for-3 effort against Bryant and Stratton.
 
Freshman second baseman Malailyn Stout-Dukes (Crete-Monee H.S.) also homered and delivered a 2-for-2 effort with a run and RBI.
 
Against Lake County, sophomore catcher Lindsey Pickering (Portage H.S.) closed out her stellar career with a 2-for-4, three RBI showing.
 
In her last game as a Pioneer, sophomore third baseman Faith Lewin (Wheeler H.S.) collected a pair of hits and stolen bases as well.
 
Freshman center fielder Jillian Kinley (Highland H.S.) went 2-for-3 with two runs and an RBI.
 
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Players Mentioned

Audrey Schau

#16 Audrey Schau

P/1B
Sophomore
Faith Lewin

#4 Faith Lewin

3B
Sophomore
Lindsey Pickering

#48 Lindsey Pickering

SS/C
Sophomore
Jillian Kinley

#3 Jillian Kinley

OF
Freshman
Makailyn Stout-Dukes

#2 Makailyn Stout-Dukes

3B/CF
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Audrey Schau

#16 Audrey Schau

Sophomore
P/1B
Faith Lewin

#4 Faith Lewin

Sophomore
3B
Lindsey Pickering

#48 Lindsey Pickering

Sophomore
SS/C
Jillian Kinley

#3 Jillian Kinley

Freshman
OF
Makailyn Stout-Dukes

#2 Makailyn Stout-Dukes

Freshman
3B/CF

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