Softball: Scouting DuPage County teams
Addison Trail
Coach: Mark Olson
Last year’s record: 22-10, 9-3 West Suburban Gold runner-up
Top returning players: Giuliana Clementi, jr., 1B; Marisa Lloveras, jr., P; Erin Parker, jr., OF; Nina Matthews, jr., C; Emma Caniglia, jr, OF; Alexandra Marcikowski, jr, IF; Sofia Bucaro, soph., OF
Key newcomers: Julia Hecht, OF, jr., Madison Krillies, jr., IF; Madeline Housley, fresh., IF
Worth noting: The Blazers had 4 players earn all-WSC Gold honors as sophomores last season in Clementi, Lloveras, Parker and Matthews. In total, Olson has 7 starters back from a league runner-up squad. “We return 7 starters who have been in the lineup since freshman year,” Olson said. “It is a great group of young ladies who work hard, make a great effort and have a great attitude.” Olson said Downers Grove South and Leyden are the teams to keep an eye on in the Gold Division.
Benet
Coach: Jerry Schilf-Janet Royal
Last year’s record: 25-12, 4-8 East Suburban Catholic
Top returning players: Nina Pesare, sr., OF; Bridget Chapman, sr., 3B
Worth noting: Pesare and Chapman were all-East Suburban Catholic selections. The Redwings return 8 of 9 starters from last year’s team that finished third in the state in Class 3A, plus add three freshmen. Schilf said Marist is the preseason favorite in the ESCC. Benet will compete in the Class 4A state playoffs this season, a class higher than last year.
Downers Grove North
Coach: Eric Landschoot
Last year’s record: 20-9-1, 10-2 West Suburban Silver
Top returning players: Maya Rodriguez, sr., 3B-C; Sophia Barofksy, jr., IF-C; Ashlynn Durkin, jr., P-1B; Sam Lehnher, jr., IF-OF; Avery Perkins, sr., 1B; Ella Bonk, soph., IF-OF; Cali Bailey, jr., OF; Avy Gusel, sr., P; Marissa Collazo, sr., P
Worth noting: The Trojans return all players from their starting lineup including Gusel (DePaul commit), Durkin and Collazo (Milwaukee School of Engineering) in the circle. Gusel went 7-4 with a 1.72 ERA and 101 strikeouts in 77 1/3 innings. Durkin (Florida Atlantic) went 9-4 with 165 strikeouts in 81 2/3 innings and a 1.28 ERA. Collazo went 3-1 with a 0.30 ERA in 23 1/3 innings. “With three strong pitchers and a strong returning offense, we should be able to compete with the best this season,” Landschoot said. “With a strong schedule, we are confident and excited to show everyone what we can do with our pitching staff — confident to call it the best in the area — our solid defense and an offense that should put up some runs. Rodriguez (.443, 25 runs, 21 RBI, University of Indianapolis) and Perkins (.333, 2 HR, 17 RBI, Dakota Wesleyan) also have softball college plans.
Downers Grove South
Coach: Jim Cushing
Last year’s record: 18-9, 12-0 West Suburban Gold champions
Top returning players: Ella Cushing, sr., 1B-P; Grace Taylor, sr., SS; Gabby Ruchnieicz, 2B; Addison Yurchak, 3B-OF
Key newcomers: Victoria Colorato, soph., OF; Aubree Potter, fresh., C-OF; Alyssa Borowski, jr., C-OF; Ella Kardazke, jr., 1B
Worth noting: Cushing (.477, 11 HR, 45 RBI), Taylor (.466, 33 RBI), Yurchak (.318) and Ruchniewicz (.403, 20 RBI) are returning all-WSC Gold players. Cushing is headed to the University of Illinois, Taylor to Appalachian State, Colorato to Carroll University and Makayla Pollack to Oakton. Cushing said hitting will be a key strength for the Mustangs. “We hope to compete for the conference championship again,” he said.
Fenton
Coach: Dave Mello
Last year’s record: 14-22-1, 6-12 Upstate Eight
Top returning players: Kayla Valadez, sr., 3B; Elizabeth Delgado, jr., CF-C; Natalia Staszel, jr., C-OF
Key newcomers: Sophia Hollis, fresh., P-DP; Kaily Bernero, fresh., Utility; Emma Siekierski, fresh., P-OF
Worth noting: Valadez hit .382 with 45 runs scored and 31 steals on her way to all-state third-team and repeat all-UEC honors. Degado hit .370 with 34 RBI and 32 runs scored, while Staszel hit .321. Both Valadez and Delgado slugged more than 100 points above their averages (Delgado 200 points above). Mello has 7 starters back. “The strength of the team will be the improvement we will make during the season due to the hard work of the girls. We are a young team with only 2 seniors in the program, so we will fight through the ups and downs of the regular season and be ready in the postseason. The season goal is to be in the seventh inning of the regional final with a chance.”
Glenbard East
Coach: Dawn Chantos
Last year’s record: 12-15, 8-10 Upstate Eight
Top returning players: Sophia Opila, sr., OF; Missy Saldana, jr., 3B-OF; Ally Block sr., C-OF, Maddie Howe, sr., 2B
Key newcomers: Claire Bolda, fresh., P; Althea Fitzgerald, fresh., Utility-P; Ally Amrhein, fresh., C-3B; Lilly Carver, fresh., SS
Worth noting; Chantos is back in the dugout after a four-year hiatus, spent watching her daughter, Ashlee, play for St. Charles North, earn all-state first-team honors and win a state title. “I am excited to be back,” she said. “I am blessed to have watched my daughter, but I did miss coaching and it is great to be back.” Opila (.536 batting average, 12 RBI, 29 runs, 11 steals) and Saldana (.506, 40 hits, 10 doubles, 2 homers, 14 RBI, 31 runs scored) are returning all-UEC picks. Saldana, one of 8 starters back for the Rams, is headed to Purdue-Ft. Wayne to continue her softball career. “I think the strengths of this team will be the leadership we will get from our seniors, the competitive nature of the players and the desire to work hard and improve every day. We expect to have a very competitive conference season.”
Glenbard North
Coach: Josh Sanew
Last year’s record: 16-10-1, 7-7 DuKane
Top returning players: Tru Medina, jr., SS; Ava Kozlovsky, sr., C; Lauren Kozlovsky, P-CF; Gia Whelan, soph., 2B; Avery Miller, soph., P; Alexis Frcek, jr, 1B; Brigid Rogers, sr., LF; Alyssa Abberhalden, jr., OF; Kylee Sisco, jr., 3B
Key newcomers: Gianna Frcek, fresh., 3B; Arianna Vasquez, sr., C; Mikaela Quinn, sr., OF; Sarah Bilek, soph., C
Worth noting: Nine players return, including 6 starters for the Panthers, including standout Medina, an all-state, all-area and all-UEC pick her first two high school seasons. She’s committed to Northwestern. “Tru is a top player in the state,” Sanew said. North returns sophomore pitchers Lauren Kozlovsky and Miller. “We return two pitchers who are very talented,” he said. “Defensively, we should be solid as a unit. Offensively, we return 6 starters, so we have experience.” Sanew said the DuKane Conference will be “tough as usual,” he said. “We should be able to compete and battle for a conference championship.”
Glenbard South
Coach: Julie Fonda
Last year’s record: 11-11-1, 10-5 Upstate Eight
Top returning players: Grace Zeman, sr., P-1B-3B; Maddy Blazek, sr., C; Delaney Nelson, soph., CF; Delaney Spontak, jr., RF
Worth noting: Zeman was 6-1 with a 0.52 ERA in 9 games last year and also hit .296 with 16 RBI, while Blazek hit .293 with 2 homers and 22 RBI. Nelson hit .312 and had a .459 on-base percentage to go with 10 steals. Spontak hit .366 with 9 extra-base hits and 26 RBI. Blazek and Zeman were all-UEC picks and are among 7 starters back for the Raiders. “This team has a very high softball IQ,” Fonda said. “They are a group hungry to learn and get better. We are young, but will most likely surprise a lot of people this year.” Fonda said South Elgin and Bartlett are teams to monitor in the UEC. “I see us in the Top 3 this year,” she said.
Glenbard West
Coach: Mary McGrane
Last year’s record: 13-17, 5-7 West Suburban Silver, lost to Glenbard North in regional semifinal.
Top returning players: Olivia Salerno, jr., P; Ellie Adduci, jr., P; Ainslie Bobroff, jr., 2B; May Adduci, sr., OF; Megan Stieglitz, jr., OF; Alexa Trybus, so., C/3B; Morgan Putnam, jr., OF; Mallory Brannegan, sr., 1B.
Top new players: Maddy Bodzioch, so., IF; Caroline Semprevivo, so., IF.
Worth noting: The Hilltoppers return a solid core of five starters from last year’s team. Keiser University commit Salerno, who posted a 4-5 record with 72 strikeouts over 74 innings, and Ellie Adduci, who posted a 9-10 record with 116 strikeouts over 100 innings and batted .437 with seven doubles, six homers and 23 RBIs, are back in the circle. Other starters back are Bobroff, who hit .324 with seven doubles, six homers and 28 RBIs, May Adduci, who hit .400 with 11 doubles, four homers and 23 RBIs, and Stieglitz, who hit .358 with 10 doubles, seven homers and 24 RBIs. “The returners and newcomers have a lot of talent which will give us the opportunity to compete every game,” McGrane said.
IC Catholic Prep
Coach: Frank Reaber
Last year’s record: 24-9; 8-4 Metro Suburban Blue
Top returning players: Analisa Raffaelli, sr., SS; AJ Dwyer, sr., P-1B; Kayla Carrillo, sr., 2B-P; Maddy Dinino, soph., P-OF
Key newcomers: Kelly Cahill, fresh.; Lexi Russ, fresh.; Ari Zito, fresh.
Worth noting; The Knights have 6 returning starters from a 2023 team that advanced to a sectional final. Raffaelli was the Metro Suburban Conference player of the year and an all-state first-team selection after hitting .596 with 59 hits, 15 doubles, 14 homers, 41 RBI, 60 runs scored and 34 stolen bases. Dwyer hit .506 with 45 hits, 16 doubles, 9 homers, 39 RBI and 33 runs scored, while also going 8-2 in the circle on her way to all-state second-team honors, Carillo hit .472 with 50 hits, 6 triples, 4 triples and 34 RBI. Dinino hit .404 with 36 hits and 20 RBI, while going 12-6 in the circle. Raffaelli is headed to Colgate, while Dwyer will play at College of Lake County. “Our senior leadership is definitely one of our biggest strengths,” Reaber said. “The seniors have all played a majority of their softball games, if not all, at the varsity level. They have experienced our highs and lows over the past three years and are already showing our younger players what it means to play varsity softball at IC Catholic Prep.”
Hinsdale Central
Coach: Brittany Zust
Last year’s record: 11-16, 3-9 West Suburban Silver
Top returning players: Maisie McDaniel, sr., 1B; Naomi Cook, sr., 3B; Sophie DiPasquale, jr., SS
Key newcomers: Kaleigh Kozolowski, fresh., OF
Worth noting: Six starters are back, including senior McDaniel, who is off to Davis & Elkins College in West Virginia. “This is a group of kids that will hold one another accountable,” Zust noted. “They have all the right intentions and ability to continue to prove others wrong. This type of determination is one that any coach wants for their team. I like our group of girls. They play well together and have a common goal — to win games and play their best ball for seven full innings. As a coach, I am excited. We are ready to be challenged. Our conference is never a walk in the park, which will be a good challenge for us and one we want to take on, especially since we are often looked at as the underdog.”
Hinsdale South
Coach: Natalie Gamino
Last year’s record: 7-19-1, 5-7 West Suburban Gold
Top returning players: Alex Kuhlman, soph., SS-3B; Annika Nicol, sr., C; Audrey Mulgrew, sr., 2B; Isabella Yanez, jr., CF; Kayla Buckels-Meen, jr., OF; Lauren Bishop, jr., P-1B; Lilly Davy, soph., Utility; Noelle Waterman, sr., OF; Camden Kiefer, sr., Utility
Worth noting: Nicol, an all-WSC Gold pick as a junior, is one of 6 returning starters for new coach Gamino. “The strengths of this team will be our four senior starters,” she said. “With great leadership communication and skill, we are hoping to take this team far this spring.”
Lake Park
Coach: Lynsey Gunnells
Last year’s record: 26-12, 9-5 DuKane
Top returning players: Kylie Pytlak, sr., 1B; Ava Arenz, jr, C; Ari O’Connell, jr., SS
Key newcomers: Gianno Furlando, fresh., P; Kaylee Fritzler, fresh.,
Worth noting: Pytlak and Arenz were all-DuKane Conference picks. Pytlak hit .413 with 16 doubles, 7 homers and 39 RBI on her way to all-state third-team honors. Arenz had 9 doubles, knocked in 35 runs and also landed on the all-state third team. O’Connell hit .357 with 9 doubles. Senior Catherine Neilsen is headed to Quincy University, while Pytlak is off to Frostburg State and Arenz to Northern Colorado. “We will show some power at the plate and we will be fast in the outfield,” Gunnells said.
Lisle
Coach: Jennifer Zimmerman
Last season’s record: 4-21, 0-14 Interstate Eight
Top returning players: Mia Mazzolini, sr., P-IF-OF; McKenna Riley, jr., P-1B-OF; Megan Bradley, jr., P-SS; Madyson Cole, jr., C
Key newcomers: Katelyn Bieniasz, fresh., IF; Elizabeth Fry, fresh., OF-1B
Worth noting: The Lions have 6 starters back, including Mazzolini, who is headed to Ave Maria University in Florida. “We are again a young team, but this team has a great mindset of learning and wanting to get better,” Zimmerman said. “They have taken advantage of every practice to get better.”
Metea Valley
Coach: Michaela Paprota
Last year’s record: 13-18, 7-8 DuPage Valley
Top returning players: Reese Valha, sr., Utility; Genevieve Gonzales, sr., IF-P; Charlie Benesh, jr., P; Claire Desrosiers, jr., IF
Worth noting: Metea has 11 players back, including all-state honorees Valha (Wisconsin-Parkside) and Gonzales (Wisconsin-Stevens Point). Benesh and Desrosiers also were all-DVC picks, while Nora Erwin will continue her career at Wisconsin-Stout. “We have many key returners with years of experience who bring great leadership to the team,” Paprota said. “We had a lot of success last year and we are looking to build and grow as a program throughout the season. We are going to compete with energy and grit every game.”
Montini
Coach: Amy Bukovsky
Last year’s record: 14-12, 6-6 Girls Catholic Athletic
Top returning players: Erin Grimsley, sr., Utility; Kat Filkowski, jr., Utility; Kassandra Gutierrez, sr., IF; Ariana Macias, jr., P-IF
Key newcomers: Aubry Raffen, fresh., C-IF; Cedona Barrett, fresh., P-IF
Worth noting: Grimsley was a third-team all-state pick and all-GCAC selection after slugging .634 and sporting a .938 fielding percentage. Filkowski also made it to the third-team all-state list and was all-GCAC after hitting .464 and fielding at a .939 clip. Gutierrez hit .351 and had a .908 fielding percentage in the infield. Macias hit .414. Grimsley is committed to Wisconsin-Whitewater. Four starters are back from last year’s sectional-championship team. “We hope the strength of this team will be our offensive production because we have the skillsets to produce runs in many different ways,” Bukovsky said.
Naperville Central
Coach: Andy Nussbaum
Last season’s record: 13-22, 8-7, DuPage Valley
Top returning players: Sydney Hurst, IF-C; Shea Meech, P; Riley Silvers, C; Jamie Saran, 1B; Meredith Cann, IF-OF; Avery Hayward, IF-OF; Natalie Lau, IF
Key newcomers: Cali Lenz, OF; Avery Miller, OF-P
Worth noting: Saran and Meech were all-DVC last year, while Silvers was all-DVC in 2022 and missed last season due to injury. The Redhawks, who return 7 starters, will be strong offensively, Nussbaum noted. Central advanced to the DuPage Valley tournament semifinals a year ago. “We should have a chance to win the conference,” he said.
Naperville North
Coach: Jerry Kedziora
Last year’s record: 21-8 ,10-0 Repeat DuPage Valley champions
Top returning players: Olivia Hebron, sr., OF; Giada Colvin, sr., OF; Ava Weishaar, sr., 3B; Lilly Kelly, jr., IF-OF; Maddie Larsen, jr., P-Utility; Eliza Patterson, jr., C-3B; Gabi Chmiel, soph., IF-P
Key newcomers: Aly Burke, jr., SS-2B-OF; Ava Matthews, jr., P-1B; Sara Rossi, soph., OF; Addison Wade, soph., C-3B
Worth noting: The Huskies did lose key pieces to graduation, but return plenty with Larsen (3-0, 18 K), Matthews and Chmiel looking to add up innings quickly in the circle, Kedziora noted. “They all have been proven winners on the varsity level with the little experience they have,” he said. Kedziora said the offensively the team will be led by Hebron (.356, 8 doubles; 4 triples, 35 runs), who will patrol the outfield and bat somewhere near the top. Larsen (.396, 17 RBI), he added, enjoyed a great offensive season in 2023 and she will be supported by Patterson (.320), who will see time behind the plate. “We will try to add on to our most successful back-to-back seasons in program history,” Kedziora said.
Neuqua Valley
Coach: Dani Asquini
Last year’s record: 17-12, 6-5 DuPage Valley
Top returning players: Nadia Casanova, sr., Utility; Trista Werner, sr, P-SS; Madysen Wagner, sr., OF; Katie Scardina, sr., IF; Ava Drehs, jr., P; Krista Waldusky, jr., C-IF; Jamie Heitman, jr., IF
Key newcomers: Nalia Clifford, soph., IF; Ashley Pape, fresh., Utility
Worth noting: The Wildcats return a pair of all-DVC players in Casanova (Rock Valley Community College) and Drehs. Casanova hit .400 (.486 on-base percentage) last year in 107 plate appearances, while Drehs struck out 143 in 96 innings, while walking only 33 and giving up only 78 hits. “We are a young team by grade level, but we have a good number of returning players bringing varsity experience,” Asquini said. “Our conference looks strong. We will need to compete and play good, clean softball in order to find success. I am confident we will be able to hold our own in the DVC.”
St. Francis
Coach: Ralph Remus
Last year’s record: 21-13, lost in sectional semifinal
Top returning players: Natalie Doyle, sr., 3B; Meghan Suess, sr., P; Maggie Stewart, jr., P/1B; Lauren Kennedy, so., SS;
Worth noting: The Spartans last season won 21 games and a regional championship while starting five freshmen. Eight starters return on what is still a young team. Doyle hit .438 last season with eight doubles, four triples and four homers. Suess posted a 3.09 ERA and struck out 105 batters. Stewart hit .411 and posted a 2.52 ERA with 92 strikeouts, and Kennedy hit .487 with 15 doubles, seven triples and five homers as a freshman. “Pitching is experienced and defense should be very sound. I think the offense will continue to improve over the course of the season,” said Remus, in his 26th year. “New Catholic League conference looks like the schedule will be a little tougher this year.”
Timothy Christian
Coach: Lindsey Slovey
Last year’s record: 8-10, 6-4 Metro Suburban Red
Top returning players: Kaleigh Sue Younglove, sr., P; Sophia Mook, jr., SS; Chloe Wetterquist, jr., 2B
Key newcomers: Gace Hoffman, fresh., 3B; Lauren Kottke, fresh., C-IF-OF; Lucy Melzer, fresh., C-OF; Alex Johnson, fresh., 1B-P
Worth noting; Younglove and Mook were all-MSC Red selections as a junior, and are two of 5 returning starters. “Kaleigh Sue, Sophia and Chloe were among the best the program has seen in years,” Slovey said. “They are very important to the defense and offense and are coming back stronger and better.” Of Timothy’s 9 starters, six play the sport year-round,” Slovey noted. “We have never had a team that has this many travel players,” she said. Timothy is in its first season in the Chicagoland Christian Conference.
Waubonsie Valley
Coach: Valerie Wood
Last year’s record: 5-21, fifth DuPage Valley
Top returning players: Hannah Laub, sr., P-IF; Gia Cobert, sr., OF
Key newcomers: Aislee Morgan, fresh., SS; Dezirae Kelly, fresh., OF; Alyssa Tucker, fresh., OF
Worth noting: Laub (basketball at Army next season) is a 3-time unanimous all-DVC selection and a returning all-area pick from a year ago. Cobert also is a 3-time all-DVC selection and also earned all-area honors a year ago. Laub hit .485 with 13 doubles, 5 homers and 29 RBI, while striking out 149 in 121 2/3 innings. Cobert hit .447 with 20 doubles, 1 homer and 11 RBI to go with 30 runs scored and 15 steals. “We have a fresh group of players who are eager to prove themselves,” Wood said. “With the combination of strong senior leadership, we should be competitive this season.” Wood said Neuqua Valley and Metea Valley are teams to watch in the DVC.
West Chicago
Coach: Mary Kate Dieter
Last season’s record: 19-16, 13-4 Upstate Eight
Top players: Scout Gallagher, sr., C-P; Jasmyn Trigueros, jr., P-3B; Sophia Ptak, soph., SS-3B-C
Worth noting: The Wildcats, Class 4A regional champions a year ago, have 6 returning players, including all-UEC picks Gallagher, Trigueros and Ptak. Gallagher is headed to St. Louis University, Trigueros is committed to Wisconsin-Green Bay, while senior C-2B Carly Clemens is off to Aurora University and senior P-Utility Nina Komeniecki is going to Marian University. Gallagher hit .489 last year with 40 RBI, while Trigueros hit .486. Ptak hit .388 as a freshman and scored 35 runs. “This team has a unique amount of chemistry and experience,” Dieter said. “The program only graduated 2 seniors and had a student transfer. Many of these athletes have known each other a long time and have been playing together for years. They aren’t just about playing together, they are friends off the diamond and that shows in how they handle the game.” Dieter said the Wildcats have the potential to finish in the top three in the Upstate Eight.
Westmont
Coach: Josh Ott
Last year’s record: 1-19
Top returning players: Hayden Bos, sr., CF; Addisyn Haseltine, soph., 1B; Reagan Kelly, soph., P-SS-3B; Riley Brandani, soph., 2B-CF
Key newcomers: Grace Détente, fresh., C-3B; Desaree Shobutte, fresh., P-1B; Alice O’Connor fresh., SS
Worth noting: Bos, off to college at the University of Utah, is a returning all-conference player from a Sentinels team that played in a Class 2A regional title game. “We are very young, athletic and will grow together during our rebuild,” said Ott, the team’s new head coach. He’s assisted by fellow new coach Peggy Barrett.
Wheaton North
Coach: Allie Ravanesi
Last year’s record: 25-10 overall, 11-3 DuKane Conference (second place).
Top returning players: Erin Metz, jr., P; Reagan Crosthwaite, jr., SS; Macy Pomatto, sr., IF/DH; Monica Kading, sr., IF/3B; Makayla Grants, jr., OF; Ava Hartnett, jr., IF/1B; Hannah Wulf, so., P; Makayla Hammer, so., OF; Gabby Arrigo, jr., C; Hana Stoner, jr., OF.
Top new players: Moriah Herr, fr., C; Abby Del Preto, jr., OF/IF.
Worth noting: The Falcons won 25 games with a young group last year facing a tough schedule, which gives Ravanesi confidence that they can go above and beyond despite graduating four starters. Metz, a four-year varsity starter and Valparaiso recruit, posted a 1.48 ERA with 253 strikeouts over 28 games last year, and hit .333 at the plate. Crosthwaite batted .383 with 11 homers and 31 RBIs, and anchors the Wheaton North lineup. Pomatto was limited to 18 games by injury last year, but in them hit .469 with 24 RBIs. Kading, who will play collegiately at Rollins, batted .369. “I would love to see this team make a run in the post season,” Ravanesi said. “We have been talking a lot about consistency, so if we can be consistent throughout the year we have a great shot at doing what we are here to do. This program has consistently been building up success over the past 3-4 years and I do not see that going away anytime soon.”
Wheaton Warrenville South
Coach: Jeff Pawlak
Last year’s record: 18-12 overall, 5-9 DuKane Conference, lost to Yorkville in sectional final.
Top returning players: Parker Leonard, sr., SS/2B; Maddie Pool, sr., P; Presley Wright, jr., SS/P/OF; Brooke Struebing, sr., 3B; Mallorie Durian, sr., C; Kaylie Pereira, sr., DP; Abby Mease, jr., LF; Allie Michalowski, jr., 1B.
Top new players: McKenna Bloodworth, fr., C/1B; Becca Chaney, so., MIF; Nelia Kirichun, so., OF/2B; Natalie Martinez, jr., P/1B; Caroline Schulz, so., OF; Ava Laxton, jr., C/3B.
Worth noting: The Tigers return eight starters coming off the program’s first sectional final appearance since 2004. Leading the way are seniors Leonard and Pool. Leonard, a three-time unanimous all-conference selection and All-State pick last year who will play collegiately at St. Ambrose batted .416 as a junior with 10 doubles and 20 RBIs. Illinois Wesleyan commit Pool is a two-time unanimous all-conference pick and all-stater as a junior after hitting .397 with 10 doubles, five homers and 31 RBIs. Keiser commit Wright hit .290 and Struebing .275. Durian was WW South’s starting catcher during the playoff run after the starting catcher went down with an injury. Pereira, committed to North Park, is a three-year varsity player. Speedy slapper Mease hit .281 as a sophomore. “The team is mature and the core group has been playing together for multiple years on the varsity level,” Pawlak said. “The girls are committed and determined to work hard and build upon their close relationship as a group. They have high expectations for themselves and the team as a whole.”
Willowbrook
Coach: Nick Hildreth
Last year’s record: 18-12.
Top returning players: Karmen Rowe, sr., P; Isabella Dugo, sr., C; Lindsey Rugg, sr., 1B; Sonia Ruchala, jr., SS; Isabel Bates, jr., IF.
Top new players: Caitlin Cooper, so.; Allie Coppersmith, so.; Marli Smrz, so.; Liz Pettinger, fr.
Worth noting: Hildreth, also Willowbrook’s varsity football coach, takes over in the dugout. His biggest immediate concern is replacing Kayleigh Dennison, who hit a team-best .488 last year, and Willowbrook’s entire outfield from 2023. Ruchala hit .350 with eight doubles, two homers, 23 runs scored and 17 RBIs as a freshman, and leads five returning starters. Rowe posted a 9-4 record with a 2.48 ERA and 139 strikeouts in 118.1 innings pitched. Rugg hit .312 with 16 runs scored and 13 RBIs.
York
Coach: Lisa Fraticola
Last year’s record: 18-15, 8-4 West Suburban Silver (third place), won regional championship.
Top returning players: Isabella Lanciloti, sr., OF/P; Avery Kanouse, jr., P; Caitlin Ledbetter, jr., OF; Maggie Demopolous, so., 2B; Lilly Burda, so., SS; Eliana Garcia, jr., C; Taylor McMillen, jr., P/IF; Nubia Toledo, jr., C/1B
Top new players: Anna Kapotas, sr., OF; Alexandra EIEtr-Garofalo, so., 3B; Sophia Lanciloti, so., P/OF; Morgen Balfanz, so., 3B/1B; Sara Steinecker, fr., 3B/C.
Worth noting: The Dukes return six starters from a regional champion. Kanouse was an all-conference pitcher as a sophomore with 181 strikeouts over 140.2 innings and a 2.787 ERA. At the plate Lanciloti hit .353 with a .450 on-base percentage, Demopolous .389 with a .436 on-base percentage and all-conference shortstop Burda .366 with a .443 on-base percentage, four homers and 16 RBIs. McMillen hit .317 with a .404 on-base percentage and struck out 34 in 55.2 innings. “The girls have really embraced our motto of ‘Play Tough, Play Together,’” Fraticola said. “The 16 girls that we have are eager to improve both the physical and mental aspects of the game. By working together both on and off of the field, we plan to finish strong in both the conference and post season play.”
— Joshua Welge from Shaw Local contributed to this preview