Scouting Fox Valley softball
The high school softball season started this week. Here’s a look at what to expect in the Fox Valley.
Aurora Central Catholic
Coach: Mark Pasqualini (5th season)
Last season’s record: 23-6, 10-2, Girls Catholic Athletic White champions
Top returning players: Kate Gambro, sr., RHP-OF, Sophia Delgado, sr., C-IF, Ashley Moore, sr., 1B-OF, Corina Miller, jr., RHP-2B, Charlotte Brummel, sr., LHP-1B, Morgan Vaghy, jr., IF
Key newcomers: Grace Grunloh, jr., Utility, Abby Gambro, soph., OF, Aly Salazar, soph., C
Worth noting: The Chargers are shooting for the program’s first back-to-back 20-win seasons and has the firepower to work toward that with 7 players already with college plans in Brummel (North Central, 5-2, 60 K, 45 IP, .356 batting), Kate Gambro (Benedictine, .424, 6 HR, 33 RBI, 38 runs, 7-1, 60 K, 50 IP), Moore (Waubonsee CC, .371 28 RBI, 33 runs), Addi McCarty (Bethel), Jessica Pleckham (Trinity University), Maddy Torrance (Waubonsee) and circle work horse Miller (Illinois College commit, 11-3, 3.14 ERA, 102 K, 102 IP). Vaghy (.356, 4 HR, 22 RBI, 22 runs) and Grunloh also are getting college looks. Delgado hit .453 with 43 hits, 14 doubles and 30 RBI. Gambro and Miller (second team) and Delgado (third team) were all-state selections last spring. “Overall experience should be our biggest strength,” Pasqualini said. “We’ve only had 2 seniors graduate since 2022. We return 11 players from last year and all have contributed significantly since they started at ACC.” The Chargers return their entire pitching staff for the third year in a row. “While we do not have the huge 65-plus-MPH arm, we do have 3 pitchers who have logged well over 100 innings each on the varsity and have earned the trust of their teammates,” the coach said. Kate Gambro had a breakout 2024 after working back from wrist surgery, while Grunloh, a star on the ACC girls basketball team, can be just as good on the diamond, said Pasqualini, who calls Grunloh the team’s most versatile player, able to catch, play short and center. Pasqualini said St. Francis, IC Catholic Prep and Chicago De La Salle are teams to keep an eye on in the GCAC White. “We should be near the top,” he said.
Aurora Christian
Coach: Tonia Logan
Last year’s record: 5-10
Top returning players: Anna Beaumont, soph., Madi Kossakowski, jr.
Key newcomers: Jada Vizcaya, fresh., C-SS, Vaila Johnson, fresh., P-1B
Worth noting: Logan, who has been playing and coaching the sport for a quarter-century, said the Eagles, who have no seniors, will be a fresh, young team willing to put in the work to win. “I love building a team and a community through softball,” she said. “We are looking to improve our record from last year. It will be fun to watch all our girls grow this season.”
Bartlett
Coach: Jim Wolfsmith (21st season, 451-231)
Last year’s record: 23-12, 14-4, second place Upstate Eight
Top returning players: Christina Stankus, sr., P-1B-OF, Emma Engels, sr., SS-OF, Dani McCoy, sr., OF, Callyn New, soph., SS-3B-C, Addie Moore, soph., 3B-C, Suzie Piaskowski, jr., C-1B, Lillia Crawford, sr., OF-1B, Deanna Ciribea, sr., SS-2B
Key newcomers: Hannah Phillips, soph., P-1B-3B, Analia Hoffman, soph., 2B-SS-3B, Abbey Wilkins, fresh., SS-OF
Worth noting: Stankus (.396 batting, 15 extra-base hits, 3 HR, 31 RBI, 47 runs, 14 steals, 17-11, 188 K, 170 IP) and Engels (.370 batting, 2 HR, 28 RBI, 23 runs, 13 steals) are returning all-UEC selections. Stankus is headed to NCAA Division II University of Indianapolis, while Engels is going to wrestle in college. McCoy (.324 batting, 12 RBI, 20 runs, 8 steals), New (6 RBI, 23 runs as a freshman) and Moore (19 RBI, 16 runs as a freshman) also registered notable numbers on the varsity. Wolfsmith likes having a vet back in the circle in Stankus, as well as the leadership she brings along with Engels. “We have solid hitting up and down the lineup and good speed,” he said. “Christina is an all-state-level hitter, Emma is a highlight in the field, the sophomores are all solid hitters and New might be ready to break out.” Wolfsmith said South Elgin and West Aurora are teams to keep a watch on Bartlett’s side of the Upstate Eight (Elgin, Larkin, Streamwood and East Aurora are others on that side). Of note, the Hawks stole 144 bases last year and were caught 12 times. “This year’s team will need to win with defense and quality team at-bats,” he said.
Batavia
Coach: Torry Pryor
Last year’s record: 5-25, 1-13 DuKane Conference
Top returners: Gwen Shouse, sr., SS; Grace Sartain, sr., 3B/2B; Amira Mendoza, jr., C/OF; Teagan Sullivan, jr., C/OF; Mackenzie Krauch, jr., OF/P; Lexi Coonrod, so., P/IF
Top newcomers: Grace Deppe, sr., OF; Claire Fennel sr., OF; Emma Hirschauer, sr., C/IF; Ellie Swanson, jr., IF
Worth noting: The Bulldogs are looking to improve on their second straight five-win season after returning a solid core from last season. Expected to lead the charge for the Bulldogs again on offense is Shouse, a North Central College commit who earned All-Conference honors last season.
Burlington Central
Coach: Bill Morrow (second season)
Last season’s record: 15-19, 7-11 FVC (seventh place)
Top returners: Allie Botkin, sr., OF-P; Addisyn Petersen, sr., P; Oliva Sutton, sr., C; Nina Garcia, sr., 1B; Izzy Reed, jr., P; Mei Shirokawa, so., C-SS
Key newcomers: Gwyn Falk, so.; 2B-OF; Madison Butler, fr., OF-UTIL
Worth noting: The Rockets showed significant improvement last season, going from nine wins to 15 under Morrow in his first year. It was the program’s most wins since going 18-5 in 2018. Central last won a regional championship in 2016. … Reed was named to the all-FVC team, posting a 3.13 ERA and 110 strikeouts in 76 innings. … “Depth in pitching will be key to our successes,” Morrow said. “We will spend hours working on defense and minimizing compound errors.”
Cary-Grove
Coach: Cara Neff (second season)
Last season’s record: 14-21, 6-12 FVC (eighth)
Top returners: Aubrey Lonergan, sr., CF; Grace Kaiser, sr., C-3B; Megan Koski, sr., OF; Addison DeSomer, jr., 3B-SS; Holly Streit, jr., P-OF; Addy Green, jr., P-1B
Key newcomers: Paityn Ahlquist, fr., P; Kaylee Snodgrass, fr., 1B-OF; Taylor Allen, fr., OF; Olivia Osadzinski, fr., C-IF; Avery Mattran, so., 3B-IF; Daniella Neyfeldt, sr., OF
Worth noting: The Trojans graduated Maddie Crick, who broke the program’s single-season records for home runs (11), RBI (55) and hits (59). … Lonergan is the team’s lone returning all-FVC selection. She had a .436 batting average, 51 hits, 39 runs and 25 steals. Green had 150 strikeouts in 121⅓ innings, and DeSomer hit seven home runs with 28 RBIs. … “We have young and promising players and powerful seniors that can lead them,” Neff said. “The depth of talent across both varsity and JV gives us great flexibility and potential. We will be an aggressive team defensively and offensively, and will pressure opposing teams.”
Crystal Lake South
Coach: Sara Markelonis (third season)
Last season’s record: 3-28, 1-17 FVC (10th)
Top returners: Lyla Haase, so., P; Riley Sturm, jr., UTIL; Hazel Hook, jr., UTIL; Natalie Salberg, jr., OF-1B
Key newcomers: Lily Dittrich, fr., P; Riley Barda, fr., SS-3B
Worth noting: The Gators will field a young team, but Markelonis is excited for the opportunity to reestablish program values. Haase and Barda, both underclassmen, will be among South’s top pitchers. … “We are a very young team this year, which makes me super excited to build up our program and make it what it should be: determined, hardworking, focused, and team-oriented,” Markelonis said. “We have such a great group of girls this year, and their support for each other is unlike anything I have seen.”
Dundee-Crown
Coach: Matthew Goetz (third season)
Last season’s record: 19-16, 10-8 FVC (tied for fifth)
Top returners: Jordyn Jeffs, jr., 1B; Alyssa Gale, sr., SS; Casi Attapit, jr., C; Reese Westland, sr., P-IF; Abigail Hsu, jr., OF; Chloe Morrison, so., P; Faith Dierwechter, sr., 3B
Key newcomers: Kerrigan Svec, fr., OF; Madysen Schillaci, so., OF; Josie Sheldon, fr., 2B; Emily Einhorn, so., OF; Kate Graham, fr., 3B; Madison Sliwa, so., OF
Worth noting: The Chargers will have to replace the leadership and pitching of McKayla Anderson, a four-year starter who went 14-11 with a 2.62 ERA and 288 strikeouts in her last season. … Gale earned all-FVC honors last year, tying the team’s single-season hits record. … Jeffs tied the team’s single-season record for doubles and is on pace to break team records for career doubles and home runs. … Goetz said the Chargers have a strong freshman class whose impact should be felt right away. “This team has a ton of heart,” Goetz said. “We may have lost some key seniors, especially in our pitching rotation, but we’re ready to step up and compete.”
Elgin
Coach: Monica Stockman (5th season)
Last season’s record: 6-24, 4-14, eighth Upstate Eight
Top returning players: Grace Tetrev, sr., CF
Key newcomers: Ainsley Downing, fresh., P-SS
Worth noting: Tetrev, an all-UEC pick as a junior, hit .417 a year ago with a .519 on-base percentage, while providing plenty of speed on the basepaths. “We are a team that likes to have fun while working hard,” Stockman said. “We are a growing sport here at Elgin. The girls work hard every day to improve their skills while having fun and a positive attitude. Half the battle is getting a group of players that wants to show up every day and work hard. This makes it fun and enjoyable to work on the skills needed to be successful in the game.” Downing, who played up during her travel season at the 16U level, starts off her high school career on the varsity. Sophomore Xiamara Lawrence also will help in the circle. “We plan to utilize her arm a lot more this season,” Stockman said. “She has worked on her changeup and screwball during the offseason.” Stockman said it will be interesting to see where the Maroons fit into the expanded Upstate Eight, which added 4 teams this season. “We are looking to compete and work on building our skills one year at a time,” she said. “We had a core group of girls on the team since they were freshman and they all graduated last season. I am excited to see new faces at the varsity level.”
Geneva
Coach: Annie Plackett
Last year’s record: 5-23, 1-13 DuKane
Top returners: Kat Cerwin, sr., 3B; Kaitlyn Sprague, sr., SS/OF; Maddie Parsons, jr., OF; Megan O’Connor, jr., IF
Top newcomers: Clara Lyons, fr., C; Jillian Bultmann, fr., IF/OF; Madison Gates, so., P; Summer Ayersman, fr., P
Worth noting: Geneva lost a lot of players to graduation, and will be looking to rebuild with the help of Cerwin and Sprague, who batted at the top of the Vikings' order last season. Despite the youth, Plackett says that she has a positive outlook on the season and is hoping to improve on last season’s record.
Hampshire
Coach: Jeremy Bauer (fourth season)
Last season’s record: 21-13, 10-8 FVC (tied for fifth)
Top returners: Bria Riebel, sr., SS; Lily Sippel, sr., P; Chloe Van Horn, sr., IF; Mia Robinson, jr., IF
Key newcomers: Addison Edlen, so., UTIL; Julissa Akins, so., P-UTIL
Worth noting: Hampshire fell just short of back-to-back Class 4A regional titles with a loss to Rockford Auburn in the Class 4A regional final. Despite that, the Whip-Purs crossed the 20-win mark — a seven-win improvement. … Riebel, a South Dakota State commit, returns as one of the area’s most feared hitters. She didn’t strike out last year, hitting .556 with 23 doubles, nine home runs and 55 RBI. … Sippel finished with nine wins, a 3.30 ERA and 106 Ks. Robinson (.347 BA, 29 RBIs) and Van Horn (.390 BA) both were all-FVC. … “We have seven seniors on our roster and we return a very experienced lineup,” Bauer said. “We are excited to see how our experienced and younger players compete against a very talented FVC.”
Harvest Christian Academy
Coach: Greg Richards (2nd season)
Last season’s record: 14-11, 4-2, second Northeastern Athletic
Top returning players: Mackenzie Richards, sr., IF, Kenzie Weidman, sr., OF, Makayla Richards, soph., IF, Alyssa Burke, sr., P, Alayna Booras, soph., IF
Key newcomers: Haley Miller, fresh., IF, Claire Schier, fresh., OF
Worth noting: The Lions return plenty of decorated players in Class 1A all-state selection Mackenzie Richards (.530 batting, 31 RBI, 39 runs), Weidman (.470 batting, 45 runs, 30 steals, all-NAC), Makayla Richards (.515 batting, 16 extra-base hits, all-NAC), Burke (.484 batting, 9-2 pitching, all-NAC) and Booras (.392 batting, all-NAC). Mackenzie Richards is headed to McHenry County College, while Weidman will continue her playing days at Judson University in Elgin. Harvest won a combined 4 games in the previous 3 seasons prior to last year’s 14-win output (which broke the school record for wins in a season by 12). “We will not sneak up on anyone this season,” said Richards, who feels Harvest can compete with South Beloit for the Northeastern Athletic title this season and has aspirations to advance further in the Class 1A state tournament. Richards noted the Lions’ offense will be formidable with power hitters Makayla Richards and Booras, however pitching and defense “will ultimately decide our fate,” he said, noting Burke (P), Weidman (CF) and freshman Miller (SS) are key on that front.
Huntley
Coach: Mark Petryniec (21st season)
Last season’s record: 30-10, 16-2 FVC (first)
Top returners: Alyssa Bonner, sr., LF; Isabella Boskey, sr., 1B-C-OF; Gretchen Huber, sr., P; Ava McFadden, sr., CF; Madison Rozanski, sr., C; Sadie Svendsen, sr., 2B; Taryn Rainey, sr., C-IF; Aubrina Adamik, jr., SS; Grace Benson, jr., IF-OF; Keely Fewell, jr., P-IF-OF; Lyla Ginczycki, jr., 1B-DP; Makayla Rasmussen, jr., P-IF-OF; Lana Hobday, so., OF
Key newcomers: Layla Olson, so., P; Adalyn Olson, so., P; Avery Collatz, so., IF; Cecilia Romano, jr., C-IF; Morgan Bzdusek, jr., OF; Katelyn Bayness, jr., IF
Worth noting: The Raiders will go for their fifth straight FVC championship. Huntley, which finished with an area-best 30 wins last year, is ranked ninth in the ICA Class 4A preseason poll. The team won its ninth straight regional title and beat Barrington 5-3 to capture its third sectional championship in program history. The Raiders’ season ended with a 2-1 loss to Mundelein in supersectionals. … Huber emerged as the team’s ace with a 16-6 record, 2.18 ERA and 165 strikeouts in 141⅓ innings. Bonner also earned All-Area first-team honors, hitting .457 with 10 doubles, seven homers, 34 RBI and 27 steals. … Ginczycki (.400 BA, 13 doubles, eight homers, 47 RBI), Adamik (.407 BA, 50 hits, 46 runs) and McFadden (.362 BA, 32 runs, 24 steals) are players to watch. … “We are excited to start the 2025 season as many of our players have two to four years of varsity experience,” Petryniec said. “We are looking forward to our new players contributing to our team.”
Jacobs
Coach: Jessica Turner (third season)
Last season’s record: 5-29, 2-16 FVC (ninth)
Top returners: Jianna Tanada, sr.; Avarie Lohrmann, sr.; Kate Takasaki jr.; Molly Hoch, jr.; Addison St. Leger, jr.; Taylor Schweet, so.; Talia Di Silvio so.; Vanessa Minasola, so.
Key newcomers: Audrey Wetzel, so.; Olivia Fillipp, fr.; Emily Popilek, fr.; Skylee Ferrante, fr.; Avery St. Leger, fr.; Kendall Davignon, fr.
Worth noting: The Golden Eagles will try to improve upon a 5-29 record under third-year coach Jessica Turner. … Tanada had 13 extra-base hits last season. The team lost its top bat, Clare Piazza (.356 BA) to graduation. … Although this year’s team will have less experience, Turner is excited to see what the younger players can bring to the program. “We are excited to compete this season with a young, talented group of kids,” Turner said. “Every year we compete in one of the best conferences, and we are excited to compete.”
Kaneland
Coach: Mike Kuefler
Last year’s record: 11-14, 6-4 Interstate 8
Top returners: Brynn Woods, jr., P/1B; Natalie Naab, jr., C/3B; Ellie Peck, jr., P/2B; Angelina Campise, sr., SS; Graycin Slou, sr., OF; Gianna Cellini, sr., UTL
Top newcomers: Maddie Anderson, jr., OF; Lillyana Crawford, fr., C/UTL; Addison Coulter, fr., P/1B/3B; Makayla Jonutz, fr., P/3B/UTL; Ansley Ruh, so., C/1B/OF; Riley Cooper, so., P/UTL
Worth noting: Kaneland won a regional title for the ninth straight season last year, and will be looking to extend the streak to 10 in a row. The Knights will be led by Woods, who was named to the Class 3A All-State third team last season, in the circle, while returners like Campise, Slou and Cellini will lead a relatively young Knights team on offense.
Larkin
Coach: Megan Johnson Morado (1st season)
Last season’s record: 14-15, 10-8, fifth Upstate Eight
Top returning players: Kenya Ventura, sr., 3B-C-SS, Kaitlyn Neubert, sr., OF, Mya Bermudez, sr., OF-2B, Julissa Aguinaga, sr., SS-2B, Mackenzie Wemken, jr., P-IF, Yesenia Escobar, jr., 2B-OF, Ali Herrick, soph., 1B-OF
Key newcomers: Chloe Potter, sr., OF-C, Ashley Hammond, OF, Lili Heinrich, jr., OF, Jiselle Aguinaga, fresh., P-IF, Alexia Alonzo, fresh., C-IF
Worth noting: Johnson Morado is no stranger to Larkin softball. She played for the Royals under former coach Larry Hight from 2008-2011 and coached in recently retired coach Anne Vogt’s program the last 7 years. She takes over a Royals squad loaded with returners. Ventura (.364 batting) was an All-Area and all-UEC pick last season and will play at Elgin Community College next season. Escobar hit .378 and was an all-UEC honorable mention selection. Neubert (.301 batting), Bermudez, Aguinaga, Wemken (.313 batting) and Herrick (.343 batting) also return. Potter also is headed to ECC next season. “We’re looking forward to a great season,” Johnson Morado said. “We’re ready to compete in every game and push our conference rivals to the limit. They’re hungry for even more success. We’re focused on putting in the work all season to be at our best when it counts. Staying healthy, growing individually and improving as a team with each game will be the keys to making a deep postseason run.”
St. Charles East
Coach: Jarod Gutesha
Last year’s record: 21-13, 8-6 DuKane
Top returners: Eden Corcoran, sr., UTL; Lexi Majkszak, jr., P/OF; Alyse Price, sr., IF; Holly Smith, sr., UTL; Hayden Sujack, jr., C; Makayla Van Dinther, jr., P/OF; Addison Wolf, sr., IF
Top newcomers: Morgan Beers, so., P/OF; Kyli Dunn, sr., P/UTL; Taylor Grendzinski, jr., UTL; Caleigh Higgins, so., 3B/1B; Alyssa Powers, jr., UTL; Alicia Beltrame, so., P/UTL; Ari Bigda, so., UTL; Leighton Colley, so., UTL/C; Mia Scialo, sr., OF
Worth noting: After making it to the sectional championship game last season, St. Charles East is hoping that a quality non-conference slate will help them improve on their fourth-place finish in the conference last season. The Saints returned some key bats in All-Stater Sujack (South Carolina commit) and Wolf (Maryville commit), and have plenty of pitching depth to help replace the hole left by Grace Hautzinger in the circle, and Gutesha hopes that’ll be the recipe for success to helping the Saints to their first sectional title since 2019. “Look for us to compete at a high level again as we return offensive threats and have plenty of newcomers that will also be impactful at the plate,” Gutesha said.
St. Charles North
Coach: Tom Poulin
Last year’s record: 26-6, 9-5 DuKane, Class 4A state champions
Top returners: Paige Murray, sr., P; Mack Patterson, sr., OF; Addie Umlauf, sr., 2B/OF; Ivy Gleason, senior, OF; Anna Lamb, senior, INF; Lauren Seyller- senior, pitcher; Allison Francesconi, senior, pitcher; Ginger Ritter, junior, SS; Abby Zawadzki, junior, 1B/P; Julianna Kouba, sophomore, 3B; Ella Heimbuch, sophomore, C/SS/OF; Faith Maleski, sophomore, UTL
Top newcomers: Carrigan Rich, junior, P/OF; Miranda Quigley, junior, C/OF; Macey Larson, junior, INF; Jordyn McBride, sophomore, UTL; Brooke Hauser, sophomore, OF; Autumn Busleta, freshman, pitcher
Worth noting: Fresh off of their second Class 4A state championship in three seasons, St. Charles North looks primed to make another deep postseason run in 2025. The North Stars had seven of their 11 starters from the state title game return, with All-Staters Murray and Patterson (Loyola commit) headlining the returners. The North Stars also enter the season as the top-ranked team in Class 4A, according to the Illinois Coaches Association. “We are looking to continue the tradition of using the regular season to prepare us to be playing our best softball when the tournament arrives,” Poulin said. “If we have growth individually and develop as true teammates during the season, we will be competitive when it matters most.”
St. Edward
Coach: Jerry Kublank
Last season’s record: 13-15
Top returning players: Alaina Nolan, jr., P-SS, Kendall Pemberton, jr., P-1B-SS, Mackenzie Fitzpatrick, soph., C-3B-OF, Taylor Dawson, soph., CF-IF, Hailey Buckner, soph., OF-1B-P, Sarah Gurley, soph., SS-C, Layne Dawson, soph., 3B-SS-C, Francesca Bueno, jr., OF-1B, Sara Gonzalez, sr., IF-OF, Cindy Church, sr., OF, Kasia Avila, sr., OF, Cadence Joseph, sr., OF, Hannah Montes, sr., 2B, Sophia Tranchitella, jr., IF-OF
Key newcomers: Caylin Martin, fresh., P-C, Sophia Velazco, fresh. ,OF, Magdalena Lambert, fresh., OF-IF, Sophia Whitworth, fresh., IF-OF, Johamie Jimenez, fresh., IF-OF, Sarah Groves, fresh., P-OF, Fitzana Williams, C-OF
Worth noting: The Green Wave, which played in a Class 1A regional title game last year with a freshmen dominated lineup (St. Edward started 8 freshmen, 3 sophomores and 1 senior throughout the 2024 season), brings back all-state picks Nolan (250 strikeouts in the circle) and Chicagoland Christian Conference player of the year Gurley, who hit .539. Also back is all-CCC selection Pemberton (who made that team along with Nolan and Gurley). “We look for a good season and really think we can contend for championships,” said Kublank, who is in his 54th year coaching high school sports (taught and coached for 30 years at Palatine, has been in the Green Wave program the last 9 seasons). He’s assisted by Erv Gernand and Christina Page.
South Elgin
Coach: Brad Reynard (9th season, 24th overall)
Last season’s record: 22-11, 16-2 Upstate Eight champions
Top returning players: Anna Kiel sr., P, Amber Gnutek, sr., SS-2B, Adriana Jimenez, sr., C-3B, Chloe Ricard, sr., C-3B, Jenna Sheehan, soph., P-OF, Adreana Hauser, soph., 2B-OF, Addison Tinnerella, sr.
Key newcomers: Kaidence Runachick, soph., P-OF, Grace Krabbe, sr., P-OF, Lexi Genz, sr., C-OF
Worth noting: The Storm is in search of its seventh UEC title in a row. Four-year varsity starter Kiel is the returning UEC conference pitcher of the year (12-7, 1.91 ERA, .391 batting, 11 doubles, 4 HR, 38 RBI) and an all-state second-team pick. All-state third-teamer Gnutek (.438 batting, 9 doubles, 3 HR, 29 RBI) and Jimenez (.394, 8 doubles, 20 runs) were both all-UEC first team. Ricard (.339 batting, 16 runs, 14 RBI) Sheehan (.313 batting, 9 doubles, 20 RBI, 24 runs), Hauser (.431 batting, 14 RBI, 37 runs, 8 steals) and Tinnerella (.500, batting, 10 RBI, 13 runs) were all key contributors a year ago. Kiel (NCAA Division I Loyola-Chicago), Gnutek (NAIA St. Ambrose in Davenport, Iowa), Jimenez (JUCO Gaston College in Dallas, North Carolina) and Ricard (Division III Wisconsin-Eau Claire) all have collegiate softball plans. “Our senior leadership is one of our strengths,” Reynard said. “I also think the depth of our pitching staff could be a strength.” Sheehan, a 10th grader, continues to make strides. “Jenna is really talented,” Reynard said. “We look for her to take the next step.” Hauser, Reynard added, is one of the team’s spark plugs and “sets the table offensively or us,” he said.
Streamwood
Coach: Nicolle Giliana (3rd season)
Last season’s record: 1-24
Top returning players: Hailey Dworak, sr., C-3B, Gianna Garica, soph., C-3B-Utility
Worth noting: Dworak, an all-UEC pick in 2024, is headed to play at NAIA St. Andrews University in North Carolina. “We again are a fresh team,” Giliana said. “The girls are looking good with fundamentals and being able to work together. I am excited for the season and looking forward to seeing what they can do.” Giliana is excited to see Garcia play this spring. “Gianna is a young player who knows how to read the field when on offense and defense,” she explained. “She has come a long way as an athlete. She has stepped up recently and has become a leader on the team. I personally see a bright future in her softball career.” Giliana is interested in seeing the new teams that have joined the Upstate Eight this season. “We are looking at what the new additions may bring us, as well as trying to do better ourselves,” she said.
West Aurora
Coach: Randy Hayslett (13th season)
Last season’s record: 14-17, 7-9 Suburban Prairie West
Top returning players: Sara Tarr, sr., SS, Keira Hayton, sr., CF, Bella Marzullo, soph., 2B-3B, Gracie Del Toro, soph., LF, Macie Spenny, soph., C, Ally Lambert, soph., P
Key newcomers: Aminah Leverance, soph., P-1B, Nevaeh Keys, soph., 3B-C, Anna Tarr, soph., OF-1B-3B, Bella Doyle, fresh., P
Worth noting: The Blackhawks are back in the Upstate Eight Conference and return 6 players, including Ohio State commit Sara Tarr (.510 batting, 52 hits, 7 HR, 27 RBI, 44 runs, 23 steals), NCAA Division II Missouri-St. Louis commit Hayton (.340, 31 hits, 16 RBI, 23 runs, 11 steals), Marzullo (.260, 11 RBI, 15 runs), Spenny and Lambert (3-5 in 43 innings of work). Sara Tarr was all-state second team last season, while Hayton made the all-state third team. Hayslett pointed out the offense will be led by Tarr and Hayton, while Marzullo will hit in the middle of the lineup and Del Toro is a lefty slapper with speed like Hayton, looking to hit in the top of the Blackhawk lineup. “We will be a young team with possibly 8 sophomores and 1 freshman alongside Sara Tarr and Keira Hayton,” Hayslett said. “We should be able to put up some runs and the top of our lineup will be very good. We’ll need to see who can step up among the new faces to solidify our lineup. We will really need to play tight defense and support our young pitching.” Hayslett noted Sara Tarr (SS), Marzullo (2B), Spenny (C, who he pointed out has a great arm), Hayton (CF) and Del Toro (LF) will help on the defensive end. “We will be very good defensively up the middle,” he said. “We are looking for newcomers at most of the corner positions.”
— Joel Boenitz and Alex Kantecki of Shaw Local News Network contributed to this preview