Peoria-area pitching has played a key role during the 2026 softball season.
These seven Peoria-area pitchers have arrived on the scene during the first half of the regular season. Here are seven pitchers having breakout seasons, listed alphabetically with all statistics through Monday, April 20.
Tori Burch, Canton
The senior appeared on this list last season and continues to exceed expectations. Burch has continued to get the ball in big moments, beating the likes of Class 3A programs Galesburg and Limestone. In the win over Galesburg, she threw a one-hitter with nine strikeouts and no walks. Burch (7-4) has 77 strikeouts with a 2.52 ERA in 64.0 innings.
Morgan Clarke, Washington
The senior has stepped in nicely to the staff ace role with the graduation of Valparaiso freshman Jenna Flessner. Clarke started the season 7-1 for the Panthers (12-3), but suffered a pair of tough Mid-Illini Conference losses to Pekin and East Peoria. She’s 9-3 with 37 strikeouts and a 2.46 ERA over 82.2 innings in 13 appearances.
Cora Ellison, Illini Bluffs
The senior has proven to be a mainstay in the conversation as one of the state’s most underrated pitchers. Ellison, who has pitched in a pair of Class 1A state title games, has thrown three one-hitters this season in seven starts. She’s 4-3 in the circle, while posting a 0.93 ERA with 46 strikeouts and five walks in 37.2 innings for the Tigers (8-3).
Maddie Feagin, Tremont
The senior is doing a little bit of everything for the Turks (7-6-1). She played all nine positions in a 10-2 win over Fieldcrest on Monday, April 20. Feagin, who will play at Spoon River next season, has started 13 games this season and thrown 66.1 innings. Her ERA is 2.22 with 38 strikeouts including 7Ks against Eureka on Monday, April 6.
Emmy Fleming, Illinois Valley Central
The junior overcame a slow start, losing her first three starts. However, Fleming has bounced back by winning four of her next five starts. That stretch was highlighted by a three-inning perfect game against Paxton-Loda-Buckley on Saturday, April 4. She struck out seven in the win. In 42.1 innings, Fleming is 4-4 with 36 strikeouts for IVC (11-5).
Schyer Meinders, Brimfield/Elmwood
The senior has emerged as the perfect complement to Creighton signee Sawyer Drury. Meinders has won seven of her last eight starts, including a no-hitter against ROWVA/Williamsfield on Wednesday, April 8. She struck out 10 and walked two in the victory. Meinders (8-2) has 44 strikeouts and a 2.80 ERA in 45.0 innings across 10 appearances.
Allie Nelson, Metamora
The sophomore has been a welcome replacement for graduated all-stater Nora Johnson. Nelson has picked up some early-season victories over Normal West, Morton, Normal U-High and Canton. She tossed a one-hitter with 10 strikeouts and no walks in a complete-game win. Nelson has 69 strikeouts with a 1.55 ERA in 63.1 innings.
Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at aduvall@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: 7 Peoria-area HS softball pitchers are having breakout 2026 seasons
Reporting by Adam Duvall, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
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