The DuPage County All-Area softball team
Steph Abello, Benet
The University of Illinois-bound catcher holds the state record for home runs with 60 and is the Benet RBI all-time record holder with 211. This season she hit .369 with 44 RBI and 13 home runs and was again a factor in keeping the Redwings a force in the area. "She's a phenomenal power hitter but even better defensive player," said Redwings coach Jerry Schilf. "She allowed only 4 stolen bases her last two years."
Brooke Bandy, York
The senior pitcher, who continues playing at DePauw University next season, was crucial to York's efforts in reaching a sectional final. She was 18-3 with a 1.92 ERA and struck out 155 and walked just 52. Bandy was named to the all-West Suburban Silver squad. "We are definitely going to miss Brooke. She has worked so hard for us the past three years," said York coach Jenna Bode Nolan.
Amy Bukovsky, Montini
The junior shortstop hit .525 with 44 RBI. She led the Broncos in sacrifices with 18 and was 9 of 9 in stolen-base attempts. "Amy is a total team player who is very versatile and does the little things right. She handled the position change to shortstop very well and had a great season both offensively and defensively," said Montini coach Mike Bukovsky.
Payton Buresch, Downers Grove South
Buresch, a sophomore, was 16-1 on the mound going into regional final round of competition with a 1.34 ERA. She pitched 8 shutouts and struck out 141. Buresch has just one loss in two years of high school play. Her efforts earned her third-team all-state honors and all-West Suburban Gold.
Payton Carli, Glenbard South
It was an amazing junior season for the Raiders outfielder. She hit .504 with 20 RBI and an on-base percentage of .557. She stole 40 bases and just got caught stealing 3 times. "The best part about Payton is she is only a junior and I am super-excited to see what her senior year brings," coach Julie Fonda said.
Taylor Carli, Glenbard South
The Raiders won 24 games this season, reached a sectional semifinal and continued to be a dominating force in Illinois high school softball. Coach Julie Fonda said Carli was crucial to the team's success. She finished 17-5 on the mound with 164 strikeouts to 30 walks with a 1.09 ERA through Glenbard South's regional title victory. "She really came into her own as a pitcher this year and showed great maturity and leadership on the mound. It has been an absolute privilege to coach this kid as she always put the team in front of herself," Fonda said.
Jessica Conenna, IC Catholic Prep
The senior pitcher, who will play next season at Northern Illinois University, helped the Knights tie the school record for wins again this spring with 27 and reach the Class 2A supersectional. The all-Metro Suburban Conference pick leads her school with several varsity and single season records. The single-season pitching records are strikeouts in a game (17), wins (20) and total strikeouts (198). "Jessica has been a great all-around player for our team. I would match her up against any pitcher in the state. She has been such a big part of our team and will be tough to replace next season," coach Frank Reaber said.
Nicole Cuchran, Montini The freshman third baseman had a great season, hitting .569 with 58 RBI, 10 home runs, 15 doubles and 4 triples. "Nikki had the best offensive season in Montini history as only a freshman. She set school records in hits, extra-base hits, RBI and batting average. She is a very hard worker, with tremendous strength and bat speed. She had several game-winning hits and was a clutch hitter all season long," said Broncos coach Mike Bukovsky. Cuchran has already verbally committed to DePaul University.
Caroline Hedgcock, Downers Grove South
Hedgcock will play for the University of Maryland in 2017, but first she will take part in her senior season for the Mustangs and try to improve upon an outstanding junior season. Going into the regional final, she was 16-1 on the mound with 114 strikeouts and 7 shutouts with an ERA of 0.92. At the plate she was hitting .567 with 62 RBI and 9 home runs. Hedgcock went on to set the school record for RBI. "Caroline and Payton (Buresch) are both very competitive, work very hard and play in competitive summer programs," said Downers South coach Ron Havelka. Hedgcock was a first team all-state selection, a nominee for the Gatorade Player of the Year and locally was a West Suburban Gold all-conference selection.
Shannon Hohman, Waubonsie Valley
The all-Upstate Eight Conference pick was crucial to the Warriors' efforts both on the mound and at the plate. Hohman, who will play softball at Miami University (Ohio), led the team in RBI (39) and home runs (5). Her effective riseball helped her to an 11-7 record pitching with a 1.71 ERA and a 186 strikeouts to 39 walks ratio.
Julie Kestas, Naperville Central
The Bradley University-bound hurler played a big role this spring in the Redhawks reaching a sectional final and earning DuPage Valley Conference title as she won 20 games and earned 210 strikeouts to just 31 walks in her final high school season. "Over the past two years - she has always been a power pitcher - that's her strength. But as she has gotten better, she has been able to spot her ball wherever she wants. That's what has really elevated her excellence," said Naperville Central pitching coach Jackelyn Cadard.
Jordan Kurth, Waubonsie Valley
The senior was named Upstate Eight Conference Pitcher of the Year after going 13-2 with a 0.68 ERA and a 143 strikeouts to 17 walks ratio. She will play at Western Michigan University. "Jordan had command of the pitching circle this year. She has one of the best changeups that I have ever seen, and she is not afraid to use at any point in the game. Jordan keeps the batters off balance and stays in control of the game," said Waubonsie coach Val Wood.
Kristin Lea, Downers Grove South
The junior infielder/outfielder was hitting .590 with 53 RBI and 3 home runs going into the regional final. She was tops on the team with 23 doubles and second on the squad with 7 stolen bases. Lea tied the IHSA record for doubles in a season and set the school record for most hits in a season with 81. "Kristin is a contact hitter. She seldom strikes out and came up big for us in some big games," said Mustangs coach Ron Havelka.
Sam Schmidt, Willowbrook
The Northern Illinois University-bound shortstop hit .578 in her final high school season with 14 home runs and 61 RBI. She finishes at Willowbrook with a .509 average along with 44 RBI and 193 RBI. "As impressive as Sam is statistically, it is her athleticism, personality and work ethic that will be missed the most and that has made her irreplaceable. She has helped lead this program to some of Willowbrook most successful softball seasons and she will be remembered as one of the best athletes this school has ever seen," said Warriors coach Rachel Karos.
Alexis Solak, Naperville North
The senior shortstop was crucial to the Huskies finishing with a winning record and a second-place finish in the DuPage Valley Conference. Solak hit .592 with 53 RBI, both tops on the team. She leaves Naperville North owning eight single-season offensive records and six all-time records. She also tied the state record for doubles in a season with 28. "What people are not talking about is how incredible her defense was, making incredible plays each game. Her defense was just about as good as her offense," said coach Jerry Kedziora.
Abby Solem, York
She is another reason why the Dukes reached a sectional final this spring and continued as a competitive force. Solem will continue to receive focus her senior season after hitting .436 this spring with 43 RBI and 7 home runs and shoring up the York defense at third base. She was all-West Suburban Silver. "We are looking forward to Abby really coming into her own next year and stepping into a leadership role on the team. She is a very talented young lady and we look forward to her coming back next year to continue to lead the team in hitting," said Dukes coach Jenna Bode Nolan.
Lisa Tassi, Naperville Central
The senior, who will play at the University of Dayton, hit .472 with 29 RBI and 5 home runs through the regional title game. She had an on-base percentage of .533 and earned 7 game-winning RBI. "She's one of the better hitters we've had in a while. I thought Lisa hit the ball great, and for the most part, really was a lock defensively," said coach Andy Nussbaum.
Lauren Trojnar, Montini
The senior, who will play softball next season at Clarke College, finished with a 20-4 record this spring with 107 strikeouts and just 33 walks with a 1.76 ERA. She hit .380. Trojnar finishes with 75 varsity stolen bases and earned all-conference honors four times and all-state accolades three times. "Lauren has been a big reason for the growth in the program. She helped lead her teams to two conference championships, three regional championships, one sectional championship, and 104 wins in her four years as a varsity starter," said Montini coach Mike Bukovsky.
Emma Varsbergs, Downers Grove North
The all-West Suburban Silver pick hit .384 along with an on-base percentage of .412, 10 doubles, 6 home runs and 28 RBI. She will play at the University of Indianapolis. "She's a great kid, very coachable. Other players looked up to her. She was a natural leader," said coach Eric Landschoot.
Emily York, Benet
The senior was a consistent power hitting source but was also known for her defense. The Florida Institute of Technology-bound first baseman hit .449 this spring with 37 RBI and 7 home runs. Her varsity numbers read a .464 batting average, 31 home runs and 184 RBI. "She is the best defensive first baseman I've ever seen. Her glove kept us in games that we otherwise would have lost. Offensively, she was a line-drive hitter with unbelievable bat speed," said Benet coach Jerry Schilf.
Honorable mention
Dani Biesiada, jr., Naperville North; Jenny Budds, sr., Neuqua Valley; Stephanie Campos, sr., Glenbard North; Emma Chapman, sr., St. Francis; Marianna Colucci, sr., Lake Park; Madison Ebeling, fr., Wheaton Academy; Dana Fritz, sr., Fenton; Amy Goldsmith, sr., Lindsay Gonzalez, jr., Naperville Central; Maya Keating, jr., Wheaton Warrenville South; Faith Koffron, sr., Hinsdale Central; Kara Leckinger, jr., Metea Valley; Megan LoBianco, jr., Downers Grove South; Rachel Martin, sr., Naperville North; Alix Mendoza, fr., Westmont; Sarah Petzold, sr., Glenbard North; Alyssa Ressinger, sr., Willowbrook; Kelly Thornton, sr., Wheaton North; Shelly Warmolts, sr., Glenbard West; Marissa West, jr., Glenbard East.