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Eastern Illinois softball coaches Kristi Paulson and Dan Paulson have announced the members of their first recruiting class with six players set to join the Panthers softball program for the 2025-26 academic year.
 
Joining the EIU program are Sidney Donaldson, Peyton Dwigans, Brooklyn Groppel, Adysen Rios, Viola Smith and Emma Williamson.
 
"We are extremely excited to welcome the 2025 recruiting class to our Panther Softball Family," said Paulson.  "Adysen, Brooklyn, Emma, Peyton, Sidney, and Viola bring a combination of speed, athleticism, and power. Not only will they make a positive impact on the field, we have high expectations for them academically and in the community as well.  We are eager to get them on campus and see them in EIU Blue. "
 
EIU opens the 2025 season on Feb. 7 in San Antonio, Texas.  The Panthers are the defending OVC 2024 regular season champion and made the NCAA Tournament in 2023.
 
Donaldson (Effingham, Ill.) played softball at Effingham High School.  As a first baseman she earned All-State honors in 2024 and twice was named an All-Apollo Conference selection playing for coach Jerry Trigg.  In the class room she has earned High Academic Honors all four years.  Donaldson played travel ball for coach Mo Ramsey with 18U Z-20 Bombers Ramsey.  She earned All-State honors in travel softball.  Donaldson (5'9") hits and throws from the right side.
 
Dwigans (Granger, Ind.) played softball at Penn High School.  As a catcher she helped lead her high school team to the 2023 Indiana State Championship with the Northern Indiana Conference, Sectional and Regional titles in 2022, 2023 and 2024.  She earned second team All-Conference honors in 2023 playing for coach Beth Zachary with honorable mention honors as a freshman.  In the class room she was a National Honor Society member.  Dwigans played travel ball for coach Bill Neace with Indiana Magic Gold.  The team won the 18U Finesse Invitational and a HFL Alliance National Qualifier in 2023 (16U) and 2024 (18U).  The team was the HFL Alliance Tier 3 National Champs in 2024 for 16U.  Dwigans (5'9") hits and throws from the right side.
 
Groppel (Greenwood, Ind.) played softball at Center Grove High School.  She played outfield for coach Alyssa Coleman.  She played travel ball for coach Michael Liter with Fury Platinum National Liter.  Groppel (5'10") hits and throws from the right side.
 
Rios (Effingham, Ill.) played softball at Effingham St. Anthony High School.  She played outfield and shortstop earning second team All-State honors for coach Makayla Taylor.  She added second team All-National Trail Conference honors and was named the team's defensive player of the year.  In the class room she was a National Honor Society member.  She played travel softball for coach Jacob Bautista with Heartland Havoc 07.  She helped lead the team to the Triple Crown National Championship.  Rios (5'8") bats from the left side and throws from the right.
 
Smith (Rockford, Ill.) played softball at Jefferson High School.  As a shortstop she earned second team All-State honors as a junior earning All-Northern Illinois Conference honors playing for coach Kelsey Carson.  In the class room she was a National Honor Society member.  Smith played travel ball for coach Josh Hays with Elite National 18U.  The team earned an Alliance Bid for Nationals and she was placed on the Alliance Watch List.  Smith (5'7") hits and throws from the right side.
 
Williamson (Centralia, Ill.) played softball at Christ Our Rock Lutheran High School.  As a pitcher she has been a three time All-Conference selection playing for coach Tammy Isaiah.  In the class room she was a National Society Member earning Illinois State Scholar honors.  She played travel softball for coach Brian Crompton with Illinois Force.  The team placed third at the 2024 Alliance Nationals.  Williamson (5'10") hits and throws from the right side.