Eastern Illinois head softball coach Tara Archibald has announced the addition of five players for the Panthers 2024 softball roster as the NCAA National Signing Day opened on Wednesday (Nov. 9). Set to wear the blue and white next season are Karson Davey, Emily Konkel, Sophia Olman, McKenzie Oslanzi and Hannah Taylor.
Archibald is entering her fourth season leading the Panthers program having guided EIU back to the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament last season.
"We are extremely excited to welcome the 2023 signing class to the Panther Softball Family! This is a very talented and competitive class that will add tremendous depth to our roster in all areas of the game. More important, they are exceptional people and outstanding students who will represent the program well in the classroom and the community. This class is filled with proven winners, and first-class individuals, who are committed to helping our program compete for OVC Championships! We are very excited for the opportunity to coach them and cannot wait to welcome them on campus," said Archibald.
Karson Davey is a middle infielder from Montgomery, Ill., that played at Yorkville HS and travel softball for the IA Premier National.
* 2022 HFL Top Club National Championship 16U 1st Team All-Tournament Team
* Top 10 finish 2021 Colorado Sparkler
* Top 10 finish 2022 Alliance Fastpitch Championships
"Karson is a dynamic middle infielder and a fierce competitor. She hits for both power and average and has great speed. She is a spark at the top of the lineup and a constant threat on the basepaths. She has competed against the top competition in the country, with Greg Dickel's Iowa Premier National Team and will come in prepared to make an impact on our program right away. Karson's Mom and Dad both attended EIU, we are very excited to welcome her to campus next fall to follow in their footsteps."
Emily Konkel is a utility player from Teutopolis, Ill., that played at Teutopolis High School and travel softball for the Midland Magic.
* 2x ICA 2A All-State Team Selection
* EDN All-Area Team Selection for softball, basketball and volleyball
* All-State Scholar
* 1.221 OPS, 4 triples, 6 homeruns, 38 runs scored
"Emily is an outstanding multi-sport athlete and we are extremely excited she choose to stay home! Emily plays with incredible athleticism and speed allowing her to play nearly any position on the field. As talented as she is on the field and the court, she is equally as impressive in the classroom and the community. We can't wait to watch Emily develop throughout her career at EIU!"
Sophia Olman is a catcher from South Elgin, Ill., that attends St. Charles North HS and plays travel softball with Extreme Elite National.
* 2022 IHSA 4A State Champion- St. Charles North High School
* Unanimous All-Conference Selection and All- Area Selection
* .995 Fielding % behind the plate, 1.076 OPS and Team High 41 RBIs in St. Charles North's 2022 State Championship season.
"Sophia was a late add to our 2023 class, but we are incredibly excited to have found her! She is a fiery competitor, a tremendous receiver behind the plate and has a great arm that shuts down the running game. She is a clutch hitter, who can hit for both power and average, that led her State Championship team in RBIs last season. We look forward to the contributions Sophia will make behind the plate and in the middle of the lineup throughout her career!"
McKenzie Oslanzi is a righthanded pitcher from Marseilles, Ill. She attends Ottawa Township High School and plays travel softball with Peoria Sluggers Gold.
* ICA 3A ALL-State 1st Team
* The Times 2022 Softball Player of the Year
* All-Area Team Selection, All-Conference Selection
* Pitching Stats: 18-5, 0.95 ERA, 225 strikeouts in 147 innings, 0.83 WHIP
Hitting Stats: .510 avg, 15 doubles, 3 homeruns and 36 RBIs
"McKenzie is a very talented two-way player! She is a power pitcher, with elite command of her pitches and the ability to rack up a lot of strikeouts. In the circle, she is a cool competitor that leads her team with confidence and loves to compete. We are very excited about the contributions she will be able to make to both our pitching staff, and our offense, throughout her career as a Panther!"
Hannah Taylor is an infielder from Hope, Ind., that attends Hauser High School. She plays travel softball for Indiana Gators Premier Lloyd.
* 2x SCAI All-State Team Selection
* 2x All-Area Team Selection
* 2x Indiana Elite North vs South Nominee
* All-Area, All-Sectional and All-Conference Selection in basketball.
* .552 career batting avg at Hauser High School, 1.540 OPS, 29 doubles, 9 triples, 8 homeruns, 85 RBIs, and only 9 strikeouts.
"Hannah has a beautiful lefty swing and is another all-around athlete! She can play multiple positions, she has speed and power, and is extremely smooth in all aspects of her game. Hannah has been coming to our camps and clinics for many years, which made it really easy for us to love what we saw from her. We are excited to welcome her versatility, athletic skillset, and power at the plate!"
