The Little Illini Conference baseball and softball races are starting to sort themselves out as we head into the sixth, and next-to-last, round of conference warfare. The softball title, in particular, could be decided as early as Monday. Here’s the game lineup:

Casey-Westfield at Paris
Lawrenceville at Newton
Mt. Carmel at Robinson
Olney at Marshall

BASEBALL

Olney can move closer to the title with a win Monday at Marshall. The Tigers enter at 4-1 in the league, while Marshall is 1-4. Casey-Westfield (3-1), tied for first on the loss side, has a tough assignment at Paris (3-2), which itself needs a win to stay alive in the hunt.

Defending champion Newton (3-2) needs a little help too, but a win today at home against Lawrenceville  (0-4) at least keeps the Eagles in contention.

Mt. Carmel (3-2) plays at Robinson (2-3) on Monday in what could turn into an elimination game depending on how the rest of the day goes.

SOFTBALL

Marshall (5-0) hasn’t won a Little Illini Conference softball championship in a while. But, the Lady Lions are in the driver’s seat in 2026, especially after defeating Casey-Westfield, 4-1, last week . A win over Olney (1-4) on Monday would clinch at least a share of the title for Ryan McGuire’s team.

Robinson (4-1) is still alive, but they will need some help, after having lost the head-to-head matchup with Marshall, 2-0, on Mar. 31. The Lady Maroons host Mt. Carmel (3-2) Monday, and they have to win, or the race could be over as soon as Monday.

Casey-Westfield (3-2) is also hanging by a thread. The Lady Warriors play at Paris (2-3).

Also on tap: Lawrenceville (0-5) at Newton (2-3).