GRINNELL, Iowa – The Illinois College softball staff has been named the 2025 Midwest Conference Coaching Staff of the Year, the league announced today.
IC Head Coach
Samantha Mendez, along with assistant coaches
Kiwi Moran and
Payton Cloe, guided the Lady Blues to a 25-18 overall record, including a 13-3 slate in conference action.
IC was one of the hottest teams down the stretch of the season, winning 13 of its last 17 contests. Along with the coaching staff's honors, junior pitcher
Jordan Closs was named the Midwest Conference Pitcher and Newcomer of the Year last week.
Closs was joined on the first team all-conference squad by classmates
Kendall Cole,
Taylor Henry, and
Brooke Loveall. Sophomore
Shelby Seiler was on the second team.
