Illinois College Women's Softball

The 2027 season will be the third for Samatha Mendez as the Head Coach of the Illinois College softball program. Mendez and the Lady Blues enjoyed a record-setting season in 2026. IC posted a program-best 34 wins, captured both the Midwest Conference regular season and postseason tournament championships, and made the program’s third-ever NCAA regional appearance. The Lady Blues posted the school’s second-ever NCAA postseason victory with a 6-4 victory over Capital. IC closed out the season on a hot streak, winning 21 of its last 24 contests. Three members of the team – Jordan Closs, Ezzy Mauermann, and Cambria Currie earned All-Region honors. Closs was also the MWC Pitcher of the Year for the second consecutive campaign. She was joined on the all-conference squad by Mauermann, Currie, Gabby Miller, and Maddie Adams. The Lady Blues set nine offensive school records: Stolen Bases (132), OPS (.857), Runs (276), hits (355),  doubles (64), triples (27), home runs (23), RBI (220), and hit-by-pitch (27) along with five pitching records: ERA (2.05), WHIP (1.12), wins (34), shutouts (16), and batting average against (.218). Mendez’s initial season on the Hilltop was a milestone campaign as the Lady Blues finished with 25 victories, including a 13-3 slate in Midwest Conference play. The 25 wins tied the school record for victories in a season, and the team set six single-season school team records (walks – 179, stolen bases - 78, on-base percentage - .412, hits – 349, RBI – 194, and fielding percentage - .967). Individually, pitcher Jordan Closs posted a scoreless innings streak of 55 2/3, which ranks eighth all-time in NCAA Division III history and was the longest since 2011. She was first-team All-Region 9 by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association and was joined on the all-region team by Taylor Henry. Closs was also the Midwest Conference Pitcher and Newcomer of the Year and was first-team all-conference. Henry, Kendall Cole, and Brooke Loveall were also on the first team. Shelby Seiler was on the second team. Mendez, along with assistant coaches Kiwi Moran and Payton Cloe, was named the Midwest Conference Coaching Staff of the Year. Mendez joined the IC program after a stint at the University of Texas Permian Basin in Odessa, Texas, where she was the head coach from 2022-24.  Before taking the position with the Falcons, Mendez was an assistant coach with Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kan., from 2018-22, where she helped the Braves become an NAIA power in four seasons.   Ottawa won back-to-back regular-season Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference championships in 2021 and 2022, winning 81 games in the process.  Along with two straight National Tournament appearances, the Braves reached the NAIA World Series in 2021. She coached back-to-back KCAC Pitcher of the Year, Casson Rasmussen, along with 28 All-Conference and two All-American selections. In 2021, Mendez was part of the staff that was named the NFCA Region IV Coaching Staff of the Year. Prior to her time at Ottawa, Mendez was an assistant coach at Northeastern State in Tahlequah, Okla., from 2015-18 where she oversaw the catchers and assisted with outfield and base-running. She coached six All-MIAA Selections and one All-American during her time with the Riverhawks. Mendez helped the program to three Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Tournament appearances as well. Mendez had her first head coaching experience at Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls, Iowa, from 2013-15. She coached eight All-Iowa Community College Athletic Conference selections during her three seasons with the Panthers. Mendez has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Ottawa and her master’s degree in Health and Kinesiology from Northeastern State. Her husband, Julian, is an assistant football coach at Washburn University.

Patrick Embley was named the Head Men’s and Women’s Tennis Coach in June of 2026. Embly initially joined IC as an assistant and has been instrumental in player development, recruiting, and match strategy during his tenure. In his new role, he will lead both the men’s and women’s teams. During his two seasons on the Hilltop, both the men’s and women’s teams have qualified for the annual Midwest Conference Tournament each year. Embley is a native of Jerseyville, Ill., and went to Western Illinois University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in French education. Then he attended Lincoln Christian Seminary for his Master of Divinity. 

Madison Bunfill is in her first season as an assistant coach with the Illinois College softball program. “I am excited to have Madison on our staff,” IC Head Coach Samantha Mendez said. “Her competitiveness and championship mindset are exactly what we need to continue to elevate our program to the next level.” Bunfill comes to the Hilltop after a standout playing career at Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kansas, where she finished her stint with the Braves ranked as the program’s all-time leader in home runs and among the top 10 in slugging percentage, walks, at-bats, RBI, doubles, runs scored, and stolen bases. Madison was a three-time All-Kansas Collegiate Athletics Conference honoree during her time with the Braves. The Braves also experienced tremendous success with Bunfill in the lineup, winning three conference championships and reaching the NAIA World Series in 2021.  Bunfill’s success wasn’t limited to the playing field, as she was a three-time Academic All-District selection. A native of Tarkington, Texas, Bunfill will continue to pursue her degree in Sports Studies at IC.