Arcola’s Pilkington to play softball at Lincoln Trail College
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By Mike Monahan
ARCOLA – Maddie Pilkington, a recent Arcola graduate will continue her softball career at Lincoln Trail College in Robinson.
Arcola, who finished 4-22 overall and 2-6 in the Lincoln Prairie Conference, was led in batting by Pilkington, who led the team in batting at .439 with 36 hits, including 29 singles and 6 doubles and stole 13 bases.
Pilkington said she believes it was in the third grade that she started to play softball for an Arcola rec team. Nine years later she is headed to play at the NJCAA Division I school of 636.
The Lady Statesmen, who compete in the Great Rivers Athletic Conference, (along with Olney Central College, Wabash Valley College, Rend Lake College, Southeastern Illinois College and Shawnee Community College) just celebrated its 50th season. LTC is coached by Eva Richardson (is also special projects director), who just completed her first season, going 27-29 overall and 26-18 in the . Richardson is a former two-time NJCAA All-American at Lake Land College before transferring to Weber State University in Utah, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in sports management. She was an assistant coach for Lincoln Trail (2024-25) and is a 2021 Casey-Westfield grad, who played under current Lady Warrior coach Dalton McFarland.
“I looked at many colleges locally and some out of state just to get a feel for different programs before choosing Lincoln Trail,” said Pilkington, a shortstop/centerfielder, who has played every position, but catcher.
Pilkington said she thinks she will play in the outfield, but of course will play wherever they need her.
Pilkington played in 74 games and was 67-194 .345 with 54 runs scored, 28 runs batted in, 8 doubles and three triples and walked 25 times from what usually was the leadoff spot as she is a slap hitter.
“To be a good slap hitter you have to learn how to read a defense and how they have placed themselves to know where to put the ball down at, which would make it harder for them to throw you out,” said Pikington, who had 31 stolen bases.
On defense she had 227 total chances and 39 errors, 120 put outs and 58 assists for a fielding percentage of .820. She made a vast improvement on defense this year. She was a .764 fielder as a sophomore and .732 as a junior until going .905 last spring. She was on teams that
went 28-46 and won a regional her junior season
“I have had two travel coaches that have helped me grow to who I am today,” said Pilkington. “One being Scott Dosch from the Paris Lakers and my current coaching staff from the Mattoon Pride; Mike Cunningham and Josh and Valerie Brownlee.”
One of Pilkington’s travel ball teammates has also committed to Lincoln Trail. So, she will at least know her.
“This summer I am keeping my reps up by playing travel softball with the Mattoon Pride 18-and-under,” said Pilkington, who also played some basketball and volleyball at Arcola.
Pilkington, who goes to Lincoln Trail August 15, is the daughter of Meghann McCullough, a 2001 graduate of Arcola.
“My mom has been my biggest supporter by showing up to every game and tournament and taking me when I couldn’t to every practice and driving to a bunch of different states just to be by my side while I do what I love to do.”
Pilkington, who plans to study biological sciences, said her dream goal is to continue to play at a university somewhere after Lincoln Trail.
“To me playing college softball is the biggest blessing and to know I will be with girls who want to be with girls who want to be competitive and push me to be a better athlete is all I could ever ask for.”