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Softball 26 Team

Softball Chris Kuchta

Pioneers Earn Season’s First Win Following Split With McHenry

CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill. --- It was only a matter of time.  It was inevitable.
 
It was only a matter of time before the Prairie State softball team got on the board with its first win of the 2026 campaign.
 
After competing hard in several of its first dozen games of the season, PSC had been knocking on the door of a breakthrough.
 
Tuesday afternoon that breakthrough came.
 
The Pioneers, thanks in part to a well-rounded effort in Game 2 of an Illinois Skyway Conference doubleheader, upended McHenry 11-3 in Crystal Lake.
 
Prairie State dropped the opener 3-1.
 
The Game 1 triumph moved PSC's record to 1-13 overall and 1-1 in Skyway action.
 
"Ultimately, today's win is a direct result of the relentless work this team has put in day after day," first-year PSC head coach Dan Williams said.  "From dominant pitching that stated command, keeping hitters off balanced to timely contact at the plate with base-running that put pressure on the defense, this was a complete team effort.
 
"It truly is just the beginning of what we're capable of."
 
Five Pioneers swung their way to multiple-hit efforts in the big win with three collecting three-hit showings.
 
"Offensively, every, single hitter stepped up and made strong contact with the bat, putting constant pressure on the defense and driving our momentum," Williams said.
 
PSC's largest offensive output in the win came from sophomore infielder Makailyn Stout-Dukes (Crete-Monee H.S.), who went 3-for-4 with a trio of RBIs, two runs scored and a double.  She also stole a base.
Freshman Morgan Niedzwiedz (Bishop McNamara H.S.) also record three hits, going 3-for-4 with two runs and a pair of RBI.
 
The biggest contribution on the day came from two-way freshman standout Maeve Koeppen (Lake Central H.S.) who went 3-for-3 with a run and RBI and also delivered a strong pitching effort from the circle.
 
"One of the biggest highlights of this win was the effort that Maeve gave," Williams said. "She controlled the game from start to finish, giving us a confidence to play freely behind her."
 
Koeppen went the distance, tossing all five of the game's frames, allowing three runs on two hits while walking two and striking out seven. 
 
The Pioneers pounded out 15 hits in the nightcap.
 
Freshman Isabella Shippen (Portage H.S., INDIANA) was the lone PSC hitter to record multiple knocks in the opener, going 2-for-3 with a double. 
 
Freshman outfielder Terah Coiley (Bradley-Bourbonnais H.S.), (1-for-3) also stole a pair of bases.
 
Despite the setback, freshman hurler Neveah Crossley (East Noble H.S., INDIANA) delivered a strong outing from the circle, working six innings and allowing two earned runs on just four hits while walking two and fanning nine.
 
The Pioneers will see action next on Tuesday when they travel to Elgin for a 3 p.m. doubleheader with the Spartans.
 
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Players Mentioned

Morgan Niedzwiedz

#88 Morgan Niedzwiedz

MIF/OF
Freshman
Isabella Shippen

#24 Isabella Shippen

C/3B
Freshman
Maeve Koeppen

#17 Maeve Koeppen

C/P/1B/OF
Freshman
Neveah Crossley

#15 Neveah Crossley

P/1B/OF
Freshman
Makailyn Stout-Dukes

#2 Makailyn Stout-Dukes

MIF/OF
Sophomore
Terah Coiley

#3 Terah Coiley

OF
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Morgan Niedzwiedz

#88 Morgan Niedzwiedz

Freshman
MIF/OF
Isabella Shippen

#24 Isabella Shippen

Freshman
C/3B
Maeve Koeppen

#17 Maeve Koeppen

Freshman
C/P/1B/OF
Neveah Crossley

#15 Neveah Crossley

Freshman
P/1B/OF
Makailyn Stout-Dukes

#2 Makailyn Stout-Dukes

Sophomore
MIF/OF
Terah Coiley

#3 Terah Coiley

Freshman
OF

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