Following its spring break trip to the Gulf Coast, the Carl Sandburg College softball team is scheduled to play its home opener at noon Sunday against Joliet at the Hungate Baseball/Softball Complex.
The Chargers played four doubleheaders in four days during their spring break trip, going winless while facing schools that had already been competing on the diamond for more than a month.
KEY RETURNERS
Maleaha Nagel (Abingdon, Ill./Abingdon-Avon), sophomore infielder• 2023 All-Arrowhead Conference and All-Region 4 Division II District B Second Team as a freshman.• Led the team with 11 home runs 40 RBIs and a .732 slugging percentage last season.• Chargers coach Todd Winkler: “Maleaha is a very good defensive first baseman, and with her height, she has great reach. Her power at the plate is big for us in the lineup, and she can go yard at any time. I can’t wait to see what she can do in her second year at Sandburg.”
Elly Bentley (Bartonville, Ill./Limestone), sophomore outfielder• Appeared in just 29 games last season, but batted .360, good for fifth on the team.• Winkler: “Elly is so solid in the outfield and tracking the ball down. I love her speed in the outfield and on the basepaths.”
KEY NEWCOMERSAilexa Hunter (Abingdon, Ill./Abingdon-Avon), freshman pitcher/infielder• Winkler: “Ailexa will play a big part on the mound for us and will spend time at shortstop when not on the mound. Her power in the lineup will be key for leading this team to success.”Bailey Ryan (Media, Ill./West Central), freshman outfielder• Winkler: “Bailey will be stepping into a big role in the outfield. She has a great sense in the outfield and can track the ball very skillfully, along with having a cannon for an arm. Bailey is a smart player, and she is fast on the bases. I am very impressed with her softball IQ, and she will be a bright spot on the field for us.”Madeline Moody (East Peoria, Ill./Metamora), freshman catcher• Winkler: “Moody comes from a very successful program at Metamora High School and will be behind the plate this year. Madeline can block pitches very well and has a strong arm that runners will have to respect. I look for her to have a good year at the plate.”
WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS FOR THIS TEAM THIS SEASON?Winkler: “I have high hopes for this team. We have some good pitching and a solid outfield, but we will have to work hard at the plate. Overall, it will be fun to watch and should be an all-around fun season.”
GAMES TO WATCH• April 4 at Black Hawk• April 6-7 Conference Clash Tournament in Ottawa. Teams the Chargers will face include Moraine Valley, Prairie State, Waubonsee and Morton.
THIS WILL BE A SUCCESSFUL SEASON IF …Winkler: “We will have a successful season if we can overcome our youth on the field and grow fast with a short-term memory.”
HOW TO FOLLOW THE CHARGERS• Follow Sandburg softball action live on the GameChanger app. Search for “Carl Sandburg College.”• Visit sandburgchargers.com, the official home of Carl Sandburg College athletics, for game recaps, photos and more.• Sandburg also partners with SportReporting so that fans can get scores delivered straight to their phone and email for free. Once a game result has been submitted, the score will be sent by text message and to your inbox.• Follow Sandburg Athletics on social media