The Illinois Springfield softball team, under the experienced leadership of Head Coach Shannon Guthrie, looks ahead to another promising season in 2025. With a legacy of success marked by a career record of 278-220, Coach Guthrie is set to begin her 11th season, eyeing the milestone of 300 career wins. 

The Road Ahead
The 2025 campaign begins with several tournaments that promise competitive matchups and early tests of their postseason potential:

• Music City Classic (Smyrna, TN; Jan. 31 - Feb. 1): The opening weekend provides an early chance to test their strength against two teams that participated in last year's NCAA Regional.
• Alvy Early Memorial Classic (Bentonville, AR; Feb. 7-8): The team faces strong regional programs, including Central Missouri and Washburn.
• Blue Bridge Battle (Evansville, IN; Feb. 21-22): Another set of in-region matchups prepare the Prairie Stars for their rigorous conference schedule.

The early-season schedule positions UIS to contend for a postseason berth by focusing on games that impact regional rankings. "We have a great opportunity in the early season tournaments to play really good in-region competition," said Coach Guthrie. "Every game this season will count toward our regional ranking, and with the strength of this schedule, we will have an opportunity to contend for a postseason spot."

Home Opener and GLVC Play
The Prairie Stars return home to host the Springfield Invitational (Feb. 28–Mar. 2), giving local fans an opportunity to cheer on the team before the start of Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) play. The GLVC schedule begins on March 7 with a doubleheader at Truman State, followed by early home matchups against Quincy on March 9 and Missouri S&T on March 22. The GLVC schedule runs through April 27.

Prairie Stars to Watch
The Prairie Stars will miss the talent of shortstop Sophie Margot, who graduated in 2024, but they are confident in their returning group of All-GLVC honorees, which includes Adi Rumler, Isabella Wilson, and Ella Brinkley. The seasoned pitching staff, featuring Rosie Bartletti, Alexis Carroll, Addyson McClure, and Taylor Zawacki, also returns in full force, ready to lead the team to another successful season.

With eight seniors leading the way and a promising group of newcomers joining the roster, UIS Softball aims to build both depth and experience to contend for a postseason spot.

2025 UIS Softball Schedule