CHAMPAIGN, Ill.—May 9, 2026—The No. 17 Parkland College softball team is headed to the NJCAA Division II Softball World Series after sweeping Illinois Central College in Saturday's NJCAA Region 24 Championship doubleheader, winning 2-1 and 7-0 to capture the district title.

Parkland 2, Illinois Central 1

The Cobras opened the day with a tightly contested pitchers' duel, breaking through late to edge ICC and move within one win of a regional championship.

Parkland scored both of its runs in the sixth inning after Illinois Central had taken a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth.

Lainey Klokkenga delivered the go-ahead RBI, while Kaitlyn Helms added another run-producing hit. Lindsey Muskopf and Lucy Fearday each collected hits, and Parkland capitalized on timely extra-base hitting from Muskopf, Klokkenga, and Helms.

Lucy Fearday was outstanding in the circle, tossing a complete game while allowing just one earned run on 5 hits. The sophomore struck out six to secure the postseason victory.

Parkland 7, Illinois Central 0

Parkland left no doubt in the winner-take-all finale, erupting for 7 runs on 11 hits while shutting out ICC to secure the Region 24 crown.

The Cobras broke through with a run in the third inning before exploding for 5 runs in the fifth to pull away.

Abbey Horeis led the offense with 2 hits and 2 runs scored, while Maddie Gourley, Lindsey Muskopf, Nicole Sinks, and Camille Wines all added RBIs. Gourley, Muskopf, Klokkenga, Sinks, and Wines each recorded hits in the championship win.

Klokkenga was dominant in the circle, throwing a complete-game shutout while allowing just 5 hits across 7 innings. The sophomore walked 5 and struck out 2 as the Cobras held ICC scoreless throughout the contest.

Friday's championship sweep sends Parkland to Spartanburg, South Carolina for the NJCAA Division II Softball World Series tournament, where the Cobras will compete among the nation's top programs next week.