Softball: Northwest all-area team

Sarah Bailitz HerseyBailitz' pitching helped lead Hersey to its first MSL division in 22 years and Hersey coach Molly Freeman gets the right-hander back for two more seasons. "Sarah worked hard to become a starter for our team this season," Freeman said. "By the time conference play came around, she had earned herself a dominant role." Bailitz did not lose a game in MSL East games and ended up 14-3 overall. "I was proud to see Sarah's growth and development throughout the season," Freeman added. "She was able to keep hitters at bay and create the ground balls our defense needed to get out of innings."

Mary Bean Hoffman EstatesOnly a junior, Bean's role on this team was clearly evident as she earned the team's 'Gold Glove' award and was named MVP. "Mary provided us with solid leadership behind the plate all season long," said Hawks coach Lindsey Hamma "She is a rock back there. Her defensive contributions often go unnoticed because of how easy she makes catching look." Bean batted .410 with 23 runs, 13 stolen bases, 4 home runs, 5 doubles and 3 triples from the leadoff spot. "We constantly relied on her to ignite our offense, and her speed on the base paths only made her that much more of a threat. Mary is a pleasure to coach because she is just a gritty kid who loves to play, and it shows each and every day when she steps between the lines. She has been a key contributor to our varsity team for three seasons and we cannot wait to see her reach an even higher level of play in her senior year."

Morgan Bihun ConantThe Cougars slugging third baseman, a Wisconsin-Green Bay recruit, was a three-year starter for coach CathyAnn Smith at third base. "Morgan provided explosive offense and strong defense to earn herself a name in the Mid Suburban League as a two-time all-conference winner," Smith said. Bihun tied Rachel O'Malley (Indiana University) and Dream Aaron (Indian Rivers College) for the school record in career home runs with 26. "Morgan loves softball, plain and simple, and she goes out there every day and plays to improve herself and get better in every aspect of the game," Smith said. Bihun finished her senior season with a .542 BA, (career .500), 57 RBI, (career 128) and a team-high 11 homers.

Michelle Birkholz SchaumburgWhether it was pitching or hitting, coach Ellen Abreu could always count on Birkholz as the ace of her staff and the No. 3 hitter in the batting order. Birkholz collected 44 hits with 27 singles, 13 doubles, 4 home runs and 32 RBI in her final prep season before heading off to Wisconsin-Whitewater along with her center fielder Kaiden Jackson. "Michelle found the majority of her time this season on the mound and she was our third batter all season," Abreu said. "Her performance at the plate made her our RBI leader and she carried the most doubles on the team. We wish her the best of luck at Whitewater."

Jackie Burchfield ConantBurchfield had a breakout season with a .404 batting average, 20 RBI and shared the team lead for doubles with 10. "Jackie knows how to make things happen at the plate," said Conant coach CathyAnn Smith of her junior shortstop and two-year starter. "We are lucky to have her for one more season. Jackie is a pleasure to coach and her desire to continue to improve her game is a great asset to our program." Burchfield earned all-conference honors for the second season, taking over at shortstop after playing second base as a sophomore. "And Jackie knows how to make things happen at the plate." said Smith of her .404 hitter who, with 20 RBI and a team high 10 doubles tied with Morgan Bihun.

Lauren Caldrone ProspectCaldrone played every inning for the Knights this season and did it admirably. The Northwestern recruit batted .389 with 39 hits, 4 homers, 4 doubles and 25 RBI while handling the shortstop duties after two varsity years at third base. "Due to injuries on the team, Lauren was moved to shortstop this season and made the position change seamlessly," said first-year coach Krystina Leazer. "She stepped into a leadership role, and really displayed what it means to be a teammate. She was one of our most consistent hitters this season, finishing the season on a nine-game hitting streak."

Maddie Craver PalatinePalatine had one of its finest seasons under third-year coach Nicole Pauly and Craver certainly had her finest season as a Pirate. The junior shortstop batted a team-high .584 (.620 in the MSL) and tied for the team lead in RBI (31). She was second in runs (35) and stolen bases (10). "Maddie is undeniably one of the best softball players to ever wear the Palatine Pirate jersey," said Pauly, who is also one of the best and coincidentally was a Palatine shortstop. "Maddie is one of the hardest-working players and played multiple roles for us this year with pitching and playing shortstop." Craver was 3-0 on the mound and had a .981 fielding percentage at short. She also led the team with her .638 on base percentage. "No matter what the team asked of her, she did it without question and to the best of her ability," Pauly said. "Maddie is our clutch hitter and fielder in important game situations and she is also our team leader."

Lexi D'Ambrosio FremdIf you haven't caught on by now, you haven't caught a lot of Fremd softball games. D'Ambrosio has caught nearly every game for three years and has put herself among the elite receivers in the area. "Lexi is a defensive stalwart and the backbone of our team," said Fremd first-year coach Josh Teschner. "Her work ethic and leadership are what make her special and complement her tremendous offensive prowess." D'Ambrosio hit .409 this spring with 27 RBI, 20 runs, 5 doubles, 2 triples and 1 homer. "Defensively, she has been solid," Teschner added. "Lexi is rarely tested by runners and commands the respect of every coach in the area. As an offensive threat, Lexi has developed from a swing-first mentality as a freshman starter to a patient extra-base hit machine and run producer."

Elizabeth Elkins Rolling MeadowsThe thing that impressed Meadows coach Tony Wolanski the most was how Elkins made constant improvement over her varsity career, In fact, she went from hitting .255 as a junior to .375 this spring with 18 RBI and a 426 on-base percentage. The senior three-year varsity starter, who will play at Carroll College along with her twin sister Amanda, always put her teammates first. "Just a good kid, a good teammate," Wolanski said. "And she made herself into a good left fielder. Elizabeth just worked hard and got better every season. She always looked out for her teammates and made them better. She was a joy to coach all three years."

Grace Feldkamp Maine WestFeldkamp completed a splendid four-year career at Maine West by batting .468, with 7 doubles, 4 triples and 4 homers for a slugging percentage of .903. What caught the eye of first-year coach Jim Dvorak was Feldkamp's relentless drive. "She just has a tenacious reason about her," he said. "She doesn't let anybody have a losing attitude around her because she will fight just as hard as the opponent." Making her number final season even more impressive is the fact she underwent shoulder surgery last year. "You won't find anyone who will give more than her in any situation of the team," Dvorak said. "I can't say enough about Grace. She is the team captain and she makes the team tick. She won't let anyone else on the team get down during any game."

Katie Fontanetta Buffalo GroveFontanetta had a hole-in-one in the 2016 MSL golf meet. She has always been ace for the Bison softball team. Hitting in the No. 2 spot this spring, Fontanetta batted .302 batting in the MSL with a .422 on base percentage in conference play. The senior center fielder also led the team in singles (13) and runs scored (20). "Katie had an exceptional season in center field (. 976 fielding percentage), only making 1 error all season," said BG coach Starr Dorsey. "She developed into a vocal leader for us this season. She was very consistent for us in the No. 2 spot, especially with runners in scoring position. Katie also worked very hard defensively and it showed late in the season with a few diving catches. Her leadership in the outfield and dugout were huge for our team this season."

Hannah Graff HerseyHersey coach Molly Freeman needed a No. 2 hitter this season and Graff played the role perfectly in her junior campaign. "Hannah dominated the No. 2 spot in our lineup," Freeman said. "Hannah's offensive growth was remarkable this season." Graff knew her role was to get on base. "She accomplished that in more than half of her at-bats," Freeman said. " Using her knowledge of the game and her speed she was able to put the ball in play and get on base for our power bats coming up behind her. Hannah was also excellent at second base. She works tirelessly on her defense to be certain she is ready for every ball that comes her way. We are excited to see Hannah continue her success and move into a leadership role next season."

Grace Gran Buffalo GroveAsked to move to second base to shortstop and from the No. 3 hitter to the leadoff spot, Gran didn't skip a beat in the field or in the batter's box. The senior finished the season with a .350 batting average, .458 slugging percentage, and .458 on base percentage in conference play. She also led the team in doubles (4). "Grace was one of the most selfless players on our team this season," said BG coach Starr Dorsey. "Due to injuries, she was forced to move over to shortstop and she played very well. She was the leader of the infield and a great leader on and off the field. She also moved to the leadoff spot and became someone who found her way on base very consistently."

Sarah Grossman Palatine

Grossman had a stellar junior season on the pitcher's mound, compiling a 12-1 record with the only loss to Mid-Suburban League champion Barrington. "Sarah is a gamer," said Palatine coach Nicole Pauly. "She thrives in pressure situations and has the confidence to go at and get out any opposing hitter." Grossman had 151 strikeouts in 111 innings with 1 save from 1 attempt and a 0.901 ERA "She has the perfect mental approach for a pitcher," Pauly added. "She hits her spots and mixes her pitches and that is why she has such a great record with so many strikeouts. Our team was always comfortable with her on the mound and she is one of the reasons our team was so successful this season."

Lauren Grzelak ConantA four-year varsity starter and two-year captain, Grzelak established herself as one of the most versatile players in the Mid-Suburban League. Grzelak is one of the few MSL players to earn all-conference honors three years in a row at three different positions (second base, shortstop and catcher). "Lauren's grit and tenacity both on and off the field (perfect 4.0 GPA all four years in the classroom) have made her a remarkable student athlete who I have had the honor to coach," said Conant coach CathyAnn Smith. "Lauren is someone who always puts the team before herself, which is what makes her an exceptional athlete." Grzelak finished her career with a .394 batting average, 78 RBI and 26 stolen bases. "Lauren was the heart and soul of the 2017 team," Smith said. "And we will miss her as she continues on to Duke University hoping to earn a spot on their first NCAA softball team in 2018."

Grace Huff PalatineHuff was tough in the field and at the plate. The sophomore center fielder threw four runners out at home and one at third base while never making in an error in 51 chances. At the plate, she was second on the team in batting average (.500) and on-base percentage (555). She led the team with 36 runs and 13 stolen bases. "Opponents and fans know who Grace Huff is - she plays with passion and is one of the best overall softball athletes in the area," said Pirates coach Nicole Pauly. "As our leadoff hitter, she is definitely our spark plug and got our team momentum when we needed it. And Grace is also the leader of the outfield and teams did not take extra bases because of her arm. She is constantly working hard to get better in every aspect of her game and do well for her team. She is the dream player, best teammate, and I am excited to see what she accomplishes in her junior and senior years."

Haley Itzenthaler Elk GroveNo one will forget Itzenthaler's remarkable streak when she reached base 17 times (10 extra base hits) in 19 at-bats. The three-year starter was the MSL East player of the Year. Itzenthaler has been the leadoff batter for the Grens' past 73 games. "She will be sorely missed in that role," said Elk Grove coach Ken Grams. "She is everything a team looks for to start an offense." Itzenthaler had on-base percentage of just under .600 to go with a .515 batting average. and reached base safely to start the game in 23 of 36 games. "Defensively, she held the infield together with her reliable play and leadership," Grams added.

Kaiden Jackson SchaumburgOne of the finest slap hitters in Schaumburg history, Jackson batted .524 and possessed power compiling a .714 slugging percentage. "Kaiden did a tremendous job keeping the defense on their toes with her presence at the plate," said Schaumburg coach Ellen Abreu. "Being able to read her defense allowed her to slap away, swing away or drop down that bunt and utilize her speed to get on base." The Wisconsin-Whitewater recruit had 55 hits, including 43 singles, 5 doubles, 3 triples and 3 homers. She also came up with plenty of top-notch plays in center field. "Kaiden covered a lot of ground for us in center field this spring," Abreu added. "We wish her the best of luck at Whitewater."

Abbey Jacobsen Barrington

As the No. 3 hitter for the Mid-Suburban League champs, Jacobsen was always a threat to spark an inning. "She had a remarkable batting year," said Fillies coach Perry Peterson of the junior catcher who belted 64 hits (15 doubles, 2 triples, 7 home runs) and drove in 46 runs. Jacobsen started behind the plate all 39 games. "Abbey's offensive talents provided amazing consistency for our team this spring," Peterson said. Defense, however, is where Jacobsen stood out. She threw out 52 percent of all base runners attempting to steal, including 14 pickoff plays at either first or second base. "Abbey's pop time is unreal, which enables her to eliminate numerous opposing base runners," Peterson said. Jacobsen was part of two all-tournament teams this spring at both the Washington Panther Classic and the Illinois Coaches Association tournament. Jacobsen has verbally committed to a Division I softball scholarship at Loyola University.

Grace Kaiser St. ViatorKaiser became the first player in program history to pitch the Lions to a supersectional. The senior ace and team captain recorded 16 of the Lions' 19 wins. "Grace gave us a chance to win every time she took the mound," said St. Viator coach John Scotillo. For the second year in a row, Kaiser led the team in RBI (35) and she was second in hits (42) and batting average (. 416). "A broken hand ended her season early as a junior," Scotillo said. "And this year she came back better than ever."

Carly Kordich BarringtonA four-year varsity standout in center field, Kordich was always in the center of Barrington's success. Her elite speed on the bases and roaming center field is unprecedented in program history. Kordich is the program's all-time career stolen base leader with 78 in 87 attempts. Her speed led to 169 career hits, sixth on the all-time list. "Carly has been a tremendous two-way player for our team this spring," said coach Perry Peterson. "She led by example and provided positive leadership in the dugout to keep the team focused and together when we needed a boost." As a three-time all conference performer, two-time all area and an Illinois Coaches Association all-state player in 2016, Kordich led the Fillies in runs (53). "She has been the offensive catalyst for our team and given our younger players a tremendous example of how to go about your day-to-day dealings as a varsity player," said Peterson of the Winona State recruit.

Rachel Krzysko BarringtonKrzysko's passion for softball has been evident to anyone who has watched her play for four years. After a solid freshman campaign behind the plate (she threw out 32 percent of the runners attempting to steal), Krzysko transferred her talents to the outfield the last three years where she displayed her rocket arm. On numerous occasions, she threw strikes to get the opposing base runners attempting to take the additional base. "Rachel's development as a player has been outstanding over a four-year period," said coach Perry Peterson. "She brings the complete package to the ballpark every day." The senior right fielder posted a .405 batting average with 49 hits, 12 doubles, 4 triples, 1 home run, She had a team-leading 49 RBI and a .540 batting average with runners in scoring position. Rachel's 164 career hits place her seventh on the program's all-time list. She is headed to Purdue, becoming the fourth Barrington softball player to play in the Big Ten.

Jessica Mazur FremdMazur is making history with every swing. The junior Tennesse-Martin recruit is on her way to breaking every major power record in program history. While hitting third, fourth and fifth this spring, Mazur saw her batting average climb nearly 70 points over the final month of the season when she hit over .550. The junior outfielder/pitcher finished at .488 (. 940 slugging) with 14 doubles and 8 homers. "Her power numbers speak for themselves," said coach Josh Teschner added. "Although she was being pitched around all season, Jess developed into a savvy hitter who found ways to collect hits and RBI without the use of her power game. She possesses the ability to hit to all fields with power and precision."

Makenna McCarthy ConantA two-year varsity starter, McCarthy has made a name for herself as one of the Mid-Suburban League's top center fielders. "Makenna's range and ability to read the ball of the bat has helped us keep powerhouse hitters from hitting home runs or extra base hits," said Conant coach CathyAnn Smith of her two-time all-conference selection. "Makenna just continues to improve in all aspects of her game." McCarthy hit .480 with 21 RBI, 5 home runs (two in one game) and 10 stolen bases. "Makenna is a competitor," Smith added about the Winona State recruit. "We are glad to have her returning next year before she honors her commitment to Winona State."

Catherine McMahon BarringtonMcMahon has sparkled all season and pitched the Fillies all the way to East Peoria. The junior right-hander owns a record of 25-2. She had an ERA of 1.72 and has struck out 121 batters. "Catherine is a gutsy competitor," said coach Perry Peterson. "She continues to amaze me with her consistent approach and never-ending desire to succeed. Her teammates always believe we have a chance at victory when Catherine takes the mound, and that is all that really matters." McMahon recorded 7 shutouts while allowing 45 runs this spring. "As a multi-sport athlete balancing both cross country and softball, Catherine's athleticism puts her at the top of the pyramid," Peterson said. "Catherine defended her pitching position at a remarkably high level from such a close distance from the hitter this spring as she connected on 45 out of 47 plays while on the mound."

Sabra Morton Elk GroveMorton showed steady progress throughout her career to become one of the top players in the Mid-Suburban League. This spring she enjoyed success on the mound and in the batter's box where she hit. 438 with a .478 on-base percentage. "Sabra is a player whose skills and level of performance just grew and grew throughout the years," said Elk Grove coach Ken Grams. The three-year varsity member was 10-4 in the circle while throwing 94 innings and striking out 83 batters. She also led the Grens in stolen bases with 17. "Sabra also played center field without any errors and she consistency made excellent decisions," Grams said. "It was just a joy to see her maturity and confidence grow."

Natalie Napier SchaumburgWhen the Saxons needed the big play, Napier rarely disappointed at third base. "Natalie did a great job for us over all season," said Schaumburg coach Ellen Abreu of the senior who has been a mainstay at the hot corner for four seasons. "She had some excellent plays to her glove side that provided big outs in key situations." Napier also came through with her bat. She hit .406 this spring with 39 hits, 7 doubles, and 21 RBI. "We wish her best of luck next year at the University of Illinois," Abreu said.

Brittany Padden PalatinePadden emerged as one of clutch players in the Mid-Suburban League, producing 14 doubles with her .382 batting average and the winning walk-off hit against Lake Zurich in Zion-Benton regional championship. "Brittany was the greatest surprise this season to our softball program," said Palatine coach Nicole Pauly of the junior left fielder. "Her hard work last season and in the off season definitely paid off and she was one of the most clutch hitters in our lineup this season." Padden tied for the team lead in slugging percentage (. 652) with 2 homers and 29 RBI, second best on the team. "She is one of the most athletic players that I have ever coached," Pauly added. "Her speed and agility was highlighted in her outfield play this season."

Colleen Palczynski ProspectWhen it came to power, Prospect's Palczynski provided it profusely. She led the Knights offense with 8 home runs and 30 RBI while collecting 35 hits and batting .393. The junior first baseman played every inning this season. "She was a huge part of our offense," said Knights coach Krystina Leazer. "And she was nearly flawless at first base." Palczynski finished the season with a .974 fielding percentage. "Colleen has grown so much from last season," Leazer said. "I look forward to getting one more season with her next year."

Kendall Peterson BarringtonPeterson's second year on the varsity was anything but the sophomore jinx. She wore No. 1 on her jersey and she was No. 1 for the Fillies batting in the Mid-Suburban League (.520 average). "Once Kendall started hitting in conference play, she was difficult to stop," said coach Perry Peterson. Kendall Peterson showed her talents on offense and defense. She had 44 hits, 31 runs, 8 doubles, 1 grand slam, 29 RBI, 55 total bases and 13 stolen bases. Defensively, she made 60 of 64 plays at third base this spring. "Kendall anchors the left side of the side with shortstop Julia Kozar, a combination that has worked together numerous years since their middle school days," Peterson said. "Kendall is a fierce competitor and we are lucky to have her in our dugout. We have asked for more from Kendall as a sophomore and to her credit, she put in the year-round effort necessary to improving her skills and she has delivered."

Haley Robinson St. ViatorThe Lions' junior first baseman was the cornerstone of the team's defense. "She saves as many runs with her glove as she produces at bat," said Lions coach John Scotillo of Robinson, who has been honored as the Lions' 'Defensive Player of the Year' for the second straight season. "Offensively she can hit with power or beat out a bunt." Robinson hit .450 in the East Suburban Catholic Conference and .398 overall, third best on the team. "Offensively, she can hit with power or beat out a bunt," Scotillo said. "With her speed, glove and bat, she is a triple threat to generate runs, save runs and produce runs."

Carly Rossdeutcher ConantAs a two-year starter, Rossdeutcher improved steadily as the Cougars' designated hitter. She found big-time success this spring, earning all-conference honors and boasting an overall .477 batting average with a .540 on base percentage. "Carly was always there to motivate her teammates and do what she could to score runners," said Conant coach CathyAnn Smith of the senior utility player. "When she did play in the field, she found ways to get outs so that her team could get back on offense." Rossdeutcher finished her career with a .465 batting average and 5 home runs. "We wish her all the best at the University of Iowa next year," Smith said.

Kylie Thomsen Elk GroveThe well-rounded Thomsen handled first base and pitching for the Grens and she was one of the most dynamic hitters in the Mid-Suburban League. "Kylie truly is an all-around player," said Elk Grove coach Ken Grams of the St. Cloud University recruit. "She performs equally well as a pitcher and a hitter." Thomsen won over 60 career games on the mound. She led the Grens with 14 home runs and 54 RBI this season while hitting for a .384 average and an on-base percentage of over .400. She was 15-6 in the circle with 124 strikeouts in 126 innings. "Kylie has certainly been one of the team leaders as her four years of varsity experience surfaced many times during the season," Grams said of the 2016 MSL East Player of the Year.

Makayla Tsagalis HerseyOnly a sophomore, Tsagalis has always proven to be one of the area's top leadoff batters. She batted .500 this spring with 12 doubles and 3 homers while scoring 32 runs. "Makayla has done a phenomenal job as our leadoff batter," said Hersey coach Molly Freeman. "She understood her role was to get on base which she did in half of her at-bats this season." Tsagalis put up a .552 on-base percentage for the MSL East and regional champions. "Makayla has the rare talent of both power and speed at the plate," Freeman added. "She uses that speed to benefit her defense as well. She successfully runs down every ball that is hit out to left. She was a key player for us both offensively and defensively."

Becca Uhrich FremdNot many second basemen in the state were as efficient as Uhrich in the field. She had a 98-percent fielding percentage, and to complement her superior defensive ability, Uhrich was also a threat at the plate and on the bases. She batted .378 with 8 doubles, 3 homers and 1 triple. Uhrich leaves Fremd with nearly 600 innings as a starter at second base. "Becca was a steady offensive contributor this season," said first-year Fremd coach Josh Teschner of his No. 2 hitter in the batting order. "At the No. 2 spot, she was called upon to bunt, slug/slash and drive runs in. Still, her greatest contribution may have been the steady hand in which she lead the team with as one of our senior leaders."

Cam VanValkenburg St. ViatorVanValkenburg was a key reason the Lions reached the supersectional for the first time in school history. As the Lions' lead off batter, she hit .521 while being selected to the East Suburban Catholic all-conference team for the second straight season. "She has been a staple for us" said Lions coach John Scotillo of the senior captain. "She has hit at the top of our order for four years and is our offensive spark plug." VanValkenburg led the Lions in hits (49), walks (18), outfield assists (6), doubles (14) and triples (2).

Katie Wingerter HerseyWingerter finished her career as the most prolific home run hitter in program history. She finished with 39 in her career while belting a single-season record of 18 this spring for the Mid-Suburban East champs. "Katie has been a staple in our program for the last four years," said Hersey coach Molly Freeman. "We have watched her grow each year into the dominate player she is." Wingerter batted .463 with 41 RBI, 37 runs, 21 walks and a .546 on-base percentage. "She was one of the most feared hitters in the area being walked by almost every opponent we faced," Freeman said. "Her defense was every bit as strong as her bat. Katie makes every play that comes to her whether routine or spectacular."

All-area roster

Player School Pos. Yr.

Sarah Bailitz Hersey P So.

Mary Bean Hoffman Estates C Jr.

Morgan Bihun Conant 3B Sr.

Michelle Birkholz Schaumburg P Sr.

Jackie Burchfield Conant SS Jr.

Lauren Caldrone Prospect 3B Jr.

Maddie Craver Palatine SS-P Jr.

Lexi D'Ambrosio Fremd C Jr.

Elizabeth Elkins Rolling Meadows LF Sr.

Grace Feldkamp Maine West SS-P Sr.

Katie Fontanetta Buffalo Grove OF Sr.

Hannah Graff Hersey 2B Jr.

Grace Gran Buffalo Grove SS Sr.

Sarah Grossman Palatine P Jr.

Lauren Grzelak Conant C Sr.

Grace Huff Palatine CF So.

Haley Itzenthaler Elk Grove SS Sr.

Kaiden Jackson Schaumburg CF Sr.

Abbey Jacobsen* Barrington C Jr.

Grace Kaiser St. Viator P Sr.

Carly Kordich Barrington CF Sr.

Rachel Krzysko Barrington RF Sr.

Jessica Mazur Fremd 0F-P Jr.

Makenna McCarthy Conant CF Jr.

Catherine McMahon Barrington P Jr.

Sabra Morton Elk Grove P Sr.

Natalie Napier Schaumburg 3B Sr.

Brittany Padden Palatine LF Jr.

Colleen Palczynski Prospect 1B Jr.

Kendall Peterson Barrington 3B So.

Haley Robinson St. Viator 1B Jr.

Carly Rossdeutcher Conant U Sr.

Kylie Thomsen Elk Grove P Sr.

Makayla Tsagalis Hersey OF So.

Becca Uhrich Fremd 2B Sr.

Cam VanValkenburg St. Viator OF Sr.

Katie Wingerter Hersey SS Sr.

* - all-area team captain

Special mentionJasmine Avalos (Buffalo Grove), Jenna Breslin (St. Viator), Amanda Byrne (Maine West), Keeley Cronin (Elk Grove), Amanda Elkins (Rolling Meadows), Anna Freveletti (Fremd), Sam Gadomski (Conant), Alex Kanter (Prospect), Jessica Kearns (Elk Grove), Julia Kozar (Barrington), Emmie LaCaeyse (Wheeling), Haley Luczak (Barrington), Becky McAtee (Wheeling), Cate Meersman (Prospect), Tori Meyer (Barrington), Jackie Orel (Prospect), Jenna Patino (Barrington), Katia Pendowski (Elk Grove), Cate Poplar (Schaumburg), Reagan Schneider (Fremd), Amanda Stanczuk (Palatine), Jessica Steingard (Maine West), Grace Stevens (Fremd), Adeline Swiderski (St. Viator), Giselle Velazquez (Hoffman Estates)

Selections and profiles by John Leusch