Western Illinois Keeps Pushing On
Inside Western Illinois Softball
For Coach Alisa Goler and Western Illinois softball, honesty and transparency are the foundation of everything. Coming off an 11–37 season, the Leathernecks continue to grind toward turning the corner and building a program that will enjoy wins from all of the hard work that has been put in.
When we spoke, Goler’s mindset about her team was clear from the start.
“We have a great group, so the fall has been really enjoyable,” Goler said. “We hosted teams that came to us, a lot of really good JuCo programs in the Midwest. It’s been great for both recruiting and competition.”
That same energy and honest approach carry through every part of the program. One thing that stood out loud and clear is the caliber of returning player Western Illinois has. In this era of college sports, it is rare to find great productive athletes that stick through the bad.
One of the biggest standouts from last year was Payton Brown, who, despite the team’s struggles, took home the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year award. Brown, described by Goler as a freak athlete, started all 48 games and hit .413/.451/.794 with 13 home runs, 38 RBIs, 14 doubles, and four triples.
Brown held down shortstop in 2025, but her versatility will allow Western Illinois to shift her around this season. Kent State transfer Kam Utendorf will slide into shortstop, a move Brown fully supports.
“Our Player of the Year, Payton Brown, played short last year, but we’ll move her to a new role. She’s totally fine with it. The new shortstop transfer is Kam Utendorf,” Goler said.
“She’s a freak athlete. She can play anywhere, infield, outfield, wherever we need her,” Goler said. “She might not play two games in a row at the same spot, and she’s fine with that. It’s all about the team. She’s taking reps all over. It’s a great problem to have.”
Utendorf started 37 of 38 games for Kent State last season, recording 72 putouts, 43 assists, and nine errors for a .927 fielding percentage.
Sophomore infielder Ruby Tarr is another huge returner for the Leathernecks. As a freshman, Tarr had a strong year at the plate, hitting .333 while finishing second on the team with 45 hits and 13 doubles. Her performance earned her the OVC Newcomer of the Year, giving Western Illinois another award-winning player in its lineup.
Coach Goler feels that this year’s team is trending upward, and the versatility of the roster presents her with what she calls a good problem to have.
“Honestly, no,” Goler said when asked if she could make a lineup today. “It’s a great problem, but I have too many good options. I think we’ll hit even better this year than last. We’ve had that conversation as a staff, and I couldn’t make a lineup right now. That’s a good thing.”
When I looked over the Leathernecks’ stats from last season, one thing jumped out immediately, the lack of complementary play. The offense led the OVC in hitting, but the pitching struggled to match that production.
“The reality is that when we start recruiting athletes, every conversation is about building trust and being honest,” Goler said. “We’ve been close, but haven’t gotten to where I think this program can be. That’s tied to recruiting, culture, and skill. They believe we’re close. They know they can do something that hasn’t been done here in a decade.”
Goler didn’t shy away from talking about the circle either.
“Last year, if we had just a little more in the circle, we’d probably have finished top two. You have to have pitching. I think we’re more well-rounded now. We’re open and honest with them about what needs to be done.”
This fall, Goler and pitching coach Collin Hopkins reshaped their approach. With seven to eight pitchers in the room, the focus has shifted from relying on one arm to embracing a true staff mentality.
“We’ll definitely be a staff this year,” Goler said. “We’ve reframed our approach, asking pitchers for 12 strong outs instead of seven full innings. That’s taken pressure off and helped them focus better.”
That new philosophy has been well received, and players have noticed the growth.
“If you asked our team, they’d say they’re excited about how the pitching looked this fall,” Goler said. “Now we’re in that phase where they’re being pushed, working through fatigue, and developing mental toughness. Our pitching coach, Coach Collin, has done a great job. The staff has bought into his vision. It’s not easy to keep showing up when you don’t always see immediate results, but they’ve done a great job trusting the process.”
Left-hander Libby Spaulding appeared in 25 games last season with nine starts and will play a bigger role this year as the team’s only lefty. Goler said her biggest growth has come from within.
“Her biggest improvement is confidence. Last year, we had three freshman pitchers and threw them right into the fire, kind of like what Coach Lonni Alameda at Florida State does,” Goler said. “They needed those moments early on. Because of that, their presence and confidence are where they should be now. Libby’s also gotten better at making quick adjustments on her own. Her awareness of her mechanics and pitch movement has grown a lot. She had a really good fall.”
Lillie Wools also returns after leading the staff in strikeouts with 44, innings pitched with 102.2, and an ERA of 5.39. She’s a true two-way player who hit .347 with 16 RBIs and continues to do it all while balancing nursing school.
“Lillie’s incredible. She’s also in nursing school, which is tough while being a college athlete,” Goler said. “She’s managing both and doing great. We’re figuring out if she’s better suited as a starter or closer. She was mostly a starter last year, but she might serve us better in a closer role now. She’s team-first, like the rest of our roster. If we ask her to do something, she just says okay and does it.”
When a program is rebuilding, recruiting presents another challenge. Selling a vision after losing seasons isn’t easy, and Goler doesn’t pretend otherwise.
“It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done professionally. Getting told no a lot is tough,” Goler said. “But I’m honest with every recruit. We can’t sell bells and whistles here, but we can sell development and opportunity. And we can prove it.”
Goler’s track record speaks for itself as a professional in this game of softball, and she doesn’t believe in limitations.
“When I tell a hitter, you will be better by the time you graduate, You will. I know you will and that’s not a cocky thing, it’s just the truth. We know what we can do for them.,” Goler said.
“Not everyone wants that challenge, but those who do really shine here. It can be hard some days, but I’m stubborn. Everyone’s told me it can’t be done here, and I just don’t believe that. I think we’re finally close, and if we stay healthy, this group can be the one that turns the corner.”
That belief is shared throughout the locker room. At Western Illinois, communication is honest, and nothing is sugarcoated. Every player knows what’s expected, and that mindset has attracted the right kind of newcomers.
Transfers Brooklyn Ogden, Kam Utendorf, and Kennedy Highley have already made their presence felt in both play and culture.
“They’ve been phenomenal culture pieces,” Goler said. “That’s non-negotiable here. Culture matters, especially when you’re not yet winning. It’s taken six years to build, and I’m not going to risk that. These three are great additions, both on the field and in the locker room.”
For Goler, honesty isn’t just a talking point, it’s how the program moves forward. She believes in her team, her process, and the idea that success is coming sooner rather than later.
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