Border Wars softball tournament to bring Illinois, Kentucky teams to Marion

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

MARION, Ill., (KBSI) — The Oasis Sports Complex will host a multi-state high school softball tournament later this month as part of the Oasis Border Wars High School Classic.

The event is scheduled for March 27-28 and will feature 24 teams from Illinois and Kentucky.

Ten Southern Illinois teams are set to compete, including Anna-Jonesboro, Carbondale, Carterville, Herrin, Johnston City, Marion, Murphysboro, Red Bud, Sesser-Valier/Waltonville and Waterloo. They will face programs from across Illinois and Western Kentucky.

Kentucky teams participating include McCracken County, Marshall County, Paducah Tilghman, Ballard Memorial, Livingston County and Trigg County, all from a region considered among the most competitive in the state.

Additional Illinois teams include Pleasant Plains, East Peoria, Lincoln-Way West, Wheaton North, Metamora, Dunlap, Washington Community and ITW David Speer.

Officials said the tournament is expected to showcase top high school talent and competitive matchups between the two states.

Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for students, with children 12 and under admitted free.

Organizers said the event will take place at the Oasis Sports Complex in Marion, with schedules and updates available on the tournament’s official event page.