The Charleston High School softball team will get a chance to showcase its talent against some new and quality competition on Saturday. The Trojans will take on Normal University at 1 p.m. and then Metamora High School at 2:45. The CHS junior varsity team will play Chillicothe (IVC) at 1 p.m.

Normal University is 6-8, 6-3 record in the Central State 8 Conference. The only familiar opponent the two teams have faced is Mahomet-Seymour, which defeated Normal University 2-0.

The second game will feature a battle between top-10 teams in the state. Charleston, the No. 8 ranked team in Class 3A, according to MaxPreps, will battle No. 5 Metamora. The Redbirds are 11-2 and 5-1 in the very competitive Mid-Illini Conference the lone conference loss to East Peoria, the state’s No. 2 ranked team. They face the No. 1 ranked team, Washington, on Thursday.

Head coach Blain Mayhall is looking forward to facing two quality teams outside the region.

“We were invited to play in this showcase in 2019,” said Mayhall. “The 2020 season was canceled.  Last year, it was not held again due to Covid.  So, this is our first year back since we went the first time.  I’m glad we are in it.  It allows us to see some different teams that we normally wouldn’t see.  They run a nice event and it is very competitive.”