2004-2005 News

2005 USCAA All-Scholar and All-America Teams!

The Lady Eagles of Springfield represented quite well placing several members on this year's All-Scholar and All-America Teams.

2005 USCAA All-American - 1st Team
Lora Fisher, junior P/1B, Casey, IL

2005 USCAA All-Americans - Honorable Mention
Samantha Busby, senior P, Canton, IL
Tara Doran, sophomore Utility, Fairbury, IL
Ashley Hooker, senior OF/P, Canton, IL
Shanna Reach, senior LF, Sugar Grove, IL
Nicole Dearing, junior OF, Valporaiso, IN
Tiffany Bennett, senior P, Bunker Hill, IL
Norissa Stetter, junior SS, Geneseo, IL

2005 USCAA Scholar All-America Team
Samantha Busby, senior, Canton, IL
Allison Stauner, senior, Burbank, IL
Tiffany Bennett, senior, Bunker Hill, IL

Congratulations!

Two Eagles Receive Recognition!

Two members of the Lady Eagles' Softball team were named Softball Players of the Week by the USCAA and Sparks, the official sponsor of the USCAA Athlete of the Week.

Softball Player of the Week
Norissa Stetter, a junior SS from Geneseo, IL, went 10-for-20 hitting (.500), had 6 RBI's, scored 5 runs and defensively committed just 1 error in 18 chances for the week ending April 24, 2005.

Softball Pitcher of the Week
Samantha Busby, a senior P from Canton, IL, recorded wins over Illinois College, Lincoln College and Webster University this week. She allowed only 3 earned runs in the three games she pitched.

Congratulations to Norissa and Samantha!

Bennett sparks Eagles!

In the first game of a double-header, senior Tiffany Bennett provided the offense and defense for the Eagles playing their last home stand of the season. Bennett hit her first career grand slam in the opener and proceeded to give up just two runs on nine hits and struck out five pitching for the Eagles.

Samantha Busby pitched a three-hit shutout in the night cap. Busby struck out five advancing the Lady Eagles overall record to 25-23.

Lady Eagles move last home game!

In their last home stand for the 2005 season, the Lady Eagles will host Illinois College and Millikin University at Rochester City Park in Rochester, IL.

RMC vs. Illinois College - 3:00pm
Illinois College vs. Millikin - 4:30pm
RMC vs. Millikin - 6:00pm

Good Luck!

Lady Eagles sweep MacMurray!

In game 1, Lora Fisher pitched a 1-hitter to pick up the win 8-0. Sam Busby was the starter for RMC in game 2. Tied after seven innings the game went to an international tie breaker. In the top of the 8th, MacMurray was able to produce one run for a 4-3 lead. In the bottom of the 8th, Beth Shackelford homered for RMC and then Fisher drove in Andrea Felix for the game winner. Norissa Stetter recorded six hits and four RBI's for the day.

Recap of Softball Fest Weekend!

In their first game of the weekend against Eureka College, the Lady Eagles received strong starting pitching from Tiffany Bennett who picked up the win. Bennett would be relieved by Lora Fisher who also had a strong game at the plate. Fisher scored two runs in a 3-for-3 hitting performance. Nicole Dearing was 2-for-3 with 2 RBI's.

Against Purdue North Central, Fisher stayed on the mound to pick up the win. Dearing once again was 2-for-3 with 2 RBI's while Norissa Stetter had two hits and Andrea Felix added an RBI triple.

Sunday did not start off as well as Saturday for the Lady Eagles. Against NCAA Div. II Oakland City University, the Lady Eagles committed three errors in the second inning that led to an OCU explosion on offense.

RMC bounced back in the afternoon game defeating USCAA rival St. Mary's of the Woods 1-0. Fisher picked up the shut-out win for RMC. For the weekend, Lora Fisher was 7-for-10 hitting and pitched 16-innings allowing no earned runs.

The University of Illinois-Club team were forced to forfeit all their games on Sunday due to a lack numbers to field a team.

Win streak ends at eleven!

The Lady Eagles 11-game winning streak came to an end against NCAA Div. II Quincy University. After three consecutive rain-outs, the Lady Eagles were finally able to get back on the diamond and travel to Quincy, IL. A tough DII opponent, Quincy got the better of the RMC pitching staff and the Eagles bat's were held to only two runs in the double-header.

Congratulations to Lora Fisher!

Lora Fisher, junior pitcher and first base from Casey, IL, has been recognized for Special Mention for softball player of the week from the USCAA for March 28, 2005.

Congratulations to Shanna Reach!

Shanna Reach, senior outfielder from Sugar Grove, IL, has been recognized for Special Mention for softball player of the week from the USCAA for March 21, 2005.

Lady Eagles win 11th straight!

After a very demanding start to the the 2005 season, the Lady Eagles are finding their swing and conditioning. Battling injuries and a heavy NCAA Div. II schedule in their first two weeks of action, the Lady Eagles started 0-13. However, due to some return to form from injury and a more competitive part of the schedule, the Eagles have rattled off 11-straight victories to near .500 at 11-13 overall. During their 11-game win streak, RMC-Springfield have out-scored their opponents 89-16.

Fall Record: 20-4-2 !!!

New recruits for 2004-2005 season!

Lora Fisher and Tara Doran from Parkland CC. Lora was a previous MVP in the IHSA State Tournament while playing for Casey HS in Casey, IL. While at Parkland CC, Lora hit .388 and won 9 games with an ERA of 0.53. Tara red-shirted her second year at Parkland and arrives at RMC with three years of eligibility. As a freshman at Parkland, Tara hit .429. Coach B adds, "Tara is a very smart player and will be looked to for some team leadership." Tara played high school ball for Prairie Central.

Three will be joining the Eagles from Lincoln College, Ashley Grako, Nicole Dearing and Norissa Stetter. While at Lincoln, Ashley hit .306 her freshman year. Due to injury her sophomore season, Ashley still has three years of eligibility left. Nicole will be joining the Eagles via Lincoln College from Valparaiso, IN. Nicole was recognized as a CCCI All-Conference outfielder. Nicole will also be playing basketball for the Eagles women's team. Norissa, a 1st Team All-CCCI performer along with being named to the 1st Team Region 24 Junior College team, hit .460 with a fielding percentage of .960 from the shortstop position.

Amanda Smelcer, a freshman from Marshall, IL, was an All-Conference performer her last two years in high school. Coach B commented, "Amanda is very athletic and has great potential in the college ranks." Her character is demonstrated by the fact she was a two-year captain in high school and a member of the All-Academic Team in the Little Illini Conference.

Andrea Felix, a freshman from Williamsville, IL, will see action at both catcher and in the outfield. Andrea's strengths are her quickness and ability to switch hit. While at Williamsville HS, Andrea was All-Conference in the Sangamo and Prairie State Conference. Coach B added, "Andrea will bring a grit and fierce competitiveness with her."

Bethany Shackelford, a freshman from Lamar, MO, can play both first base and outfield. While in high school, Bethany committed only 4 errors in 4 years of play. She also at times has the ability to hit for power and will a big addition to the line-up. Bethany participated on the Southern Missouri Select All-Star team, was 4-year All-Conference performer and All-Region and All-District in 2004.