John A. Logan softball coach taps into talent in Southern Illinois

Southern Illinois is rich with softball talent.

And Taylor Osburn-Siefert, the head softball coach at John A. Logan College in Carterville, doesn’t have to look far for players to fill her roster.

Siefert’s 2018-2019 commitments includes 10 players from Southern Illinois. Her current roster includes nine players from Southern Illinois.

Siefert has said that Southern Illinois plays a style of softball that is as competitive as any across the nation. 

She proved that last season as her team went 48-12. In action through March 16, the Lady Vols were 5-5 this spring.

“I believe we have received commitments from several of the best local softball players in the Southern Illinois area,” Siefert said. 

“We have commitments from several athletes who are capable of playing multiple positions and others who will dominate at their primary positions.”

“I believe, during the next few years, we will be fun to watch with talent we already have on our roster while combined with our 2018-2019 roster coming in,” Siefert added.

Siefert said each of the recently recruited players have led in several different categories on their high school teams and have helped lead their teams to many successful seasons.

The 2018-2019 commitments from Southern Illinois include: Sydney Monje, Carterville; Montana Taylor, Carterville; Hanna Schulmeister, Carterville; Calli Sutcliffe, Herrin; Josie Gleason, Pinckneyville; Jaelin King, Campbell Hill; Danyelle Eilers, Campbell Hill; Josie Raby, Steeleville; Alexis Middendorf, Steeleville; and Alex Lovell, Alto Pass.

The three other recruits include Alexis Ezekial, Clarksville, Tenn.; Chloe Grover, Mayfield, Ky.; and Brittney Proctor, South Fulton, Tenn.

“All of these players are highly-skilled and capable of making the big plays necessary to win in a conference that is as tough as ours,” Siefert added.