Softball: Scouting 2026 Fox Valley season
Aurora Central Catholic
Co-coaches: Izzy Hernandez and Gabriela Drager (1st seasons)
Last season’s record: 23-10, 8-4 co-Girls Catholic Athletic White champions
Top returning players: Corina (Miller) Maratea, sr., P-IF, Morgan Vaghy, sr., SS, Grace Grunloh, sr., IF, Leanna Jaquez, sr., OF
Key newcomers: Aly Salazar, jr,. C, Autumn Croegaert, jr., P-IF, Aniela Prestidge, jr., P-OF, McKayla Edwards, soph., IF
Worth noting: Hernandez and Drager recently took over as co-head coaches after head coach Paul Netzel stepped down due to health reasons, ACC athletic director Scott Fitzgerald announced over the weekend. Netzel previously coached at Oswego, leading the Panthers to the 2025 Class 4A state title and a 2024 Class 4A third-place finish. Maratea, committed to Division II Georgian Court University in Lakewood, New Jersey, was 16-4 last year with a 1.97 ERA. Vaghy, committed to Benedictine University in Lisle, hit .419 last season, while Grunloh hit .350. “With a strong core of returning seniors and a promising group of underclassmen, we will compete for one of the top spots in the conference and position ourselves for a solid run in the state series,” Netzel said prior to stepping down. “We return one of the top pitchers in the area and a core of solid hitters in the lineup will provide for a fun and productive season.”
Aurora Christian
Coach: Tonia Logan (2nd season)
Last season’s record: 8-16, seventh Chicagoland Christian
Top returning players: Grace Kendall, sr., utility, Abby Henry, sr., 3B, Madisyn Glenn, sr., Kaytlin Kelly, jr., 2B-OF, Jada Vizcaya, SS-C
Key newcomers: Ella Owen, fresh., P, Addie Jensen, fresh., 1B-OF, Nora Wallace, fresh., 2B-OF, Autumn Sepulveda, fresh., SS-OF, Leah Rippinger, 2B-1B-OF, Kali Damato, fresh., OF, Tayla Ulery, fresh., C, Evelyn Klimek, soph., OF-C, Andrea Bustamante, soph., OF
Worth noting; Kendall, who Logan noted will play somewhere in college but has not committed yet after receiving a few offers, hit .493 last season. “Grace is a phenomenal hitter and can play any position,” Logan said. Logan sees a lot of potential in this year’s squad. “We are an up-and-coming team,” she said. “We are growing the program and team. We have a lot of talented, young players to keep an eye on. Six of the players have played on a team together for a few years in middle school.” Owen, a freshman, will help the Eagles in the pitching department. “It is exciting to watch Ella continue to develop,” Logan said. Aurora Christian has 9 multi-sport athletes on the roster.
Batavia
Coach: Torry Pryor (eighth season)
Last season’s record: 8-26, 2-12 DuKane Conference (seventh place)
Top returners: Amira Mendoza, sr., OF; Mackenzie Krauch, sr., OF/P
Key newcomers: Neela Cull, sr.; Aubrey Pearson, jr.; Kendra Bockman, jr.; Payton Eifrid, jr.; Mason Fetterolf, fr.; Francie Carter, fr.
Worth noting: The Bulldogs doubled their win total from a season ago last year, and are hoping to have another jump with a batch of new faces. Mendoza and Krauch return as key bats for the Bulldogs, with Mendoza hitting .323 with six home runs and 29 RBIs last year and Krauch batting .333 last year. “This year’s team looks stronger and faster than previous years,” Pryor said. “The four seniors will likely have bigger roles this season. I also look forward to seeing younger players step up and fill the spots left by Gwen Shouse and Grace Sartain.”
Burlington Central
Coach: Jason Edwards (first season)
Last season’s record: 13-22, 9-9 Fox Valley Conference (sixth place)
Top returners: Mei Shirokawa, jr., SS-C; Izzy Reed, sr., P
Key newcomers: Alexis Skarda, fr., 3B-SS
Worth noting: Edwards takes over for Bill Morrow, who led the Rockets for two seasons. … Reed and Shirokawa were All-FVC. … Reed, who will play at Elgin Community College, had 10 of Central’s 13 wins as a pitcher, posting a 1.97 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 116 strikeouts in 81⅔innings. She was named to the Illinois Coaches Association All-State Class 3A third team. … Shirokawa (Central Michigan commit), hit .349 with seven doubles. “Mei exhibits a lot of traits that top players in the area strive to achieve,” Edwards said. “She’s a leader within our group.” … “Our group of girls have a great team culture already established from the first day of tryouts. We want to build on that and rely on each other to get better throughout the year. Our goal is to go out and compete every day, whether it’s on the practice field or the game field.”
Cary-Grove
Coach: Cara Neff (third season)
Last season’s record: 9-22, 4-14 FVC (eighth)
Top returners: Addison DeSomer, sr., SS; Addy Green, sr., P; Paityn Ahlquist, so., P
Key newcomers: Lyla Murray, so., P-OF-IF
Worth noting: The Trojans graduated their lone All-FVC member in Aubrey Lonergan, who hit .449 and was named team MVP. Ahlquist had a strong freshman season, hitting .395 and striking out 85 batters with a 3.96 ERA in the circle. DeSomer, who will play at Wisconsin-Whitewater, hit .373 and was the team’s best defensive player, Neff said. Green, a lefty, returns as one of the Trojans’ top pitchers. … “Cary-Grove is a young team but a growing program,” Neff said. “I have high expectations for a strong offensive lineup and girls who are ready to play hard and give it their all.”
Crystal Lake South
Coach: Sara Markelonis (fourth season)
Last season’s record: 2-24, 1-17 FVC (10th)
Top returners: Riley Barda, so., SS
Key newcomers: Giada Cervantes, fr., OF; Georgi Austin, fr., C
Worth noting: The Gators went 1-17 in the FVC for the second year in a row. … Barda earned All-FVC honors as a freshman and was an All-State Class 3A third-team pick. In her first year, she hit .460 with six doubles. … “We are again a young team, but I’m excited about the commitment and work ethic this group has shown,” Markelonis said. “Our girls are eager to compete, and we’re looking forward to getting the season underway. I believe this team is ready to hit the ground running.”
Dundee-Crown
Coach: Patrick Kleparski (first season)
Last season’s record: 10-21, 3-15 FVC (ninth)
Top returners: Jordyn Jeffs, sr., 1B; Casi Attapit, sr., C; Abi Hsu, sr., CF; Josie Sheldon, so., 2B; Kerrigan Svec, so., LF; Chloe Morrison, jr., P
Key newcomers: Andie Robinson, fr., P; Liv Grugel, fr., P; Dani Christopher, fr., SS-C
Worth noting: Kleparski takes over for Matthew Goetz, who led the Chargers for three seasons. D-C won 10 FVC games two years ago. … Jeffs (Wisconsin-Platteville commit) was the Chargers’ lone All-FVC pick and is one of the area’s top power hitters. She hit .449 with 12 doubles and six home runs, knocking in 33 runs. … Attapit hit .344 with 10 doubles and Svec hit .350 with nine steals. … “Our expectation is to compete every day and continue building a culture of hard work and accountability,” Kleparski said. “I’m excited about the chemistry this group has and the way they support each other. If we stay focused on improving and playing for one another, I think we have the potential to have a really special season.”
Geneva
Coach: Kaleigh O’Brien (first season)
Last season’s record: 8-24, 0-14 DuKane Conference (eighth place)
Top returners: Meg O’Conner, sr., IF/C; Maddie Parsons, sr., OF; Madison Gates, jr., P; Kylie Gates, Caroline Winsininski, jr., IF; Clara Lyons, so., OF Summer Ayersmann, so., OF/P; Jillian Bultmann, so., OF/IF
Key newcomers: Sophia Stewart, sr.; Maya Sabo, sr.; Mariana La Voy, sr.; Anna Conley, jr.; Jazmine Reddick, so.; Avery Edison, so.
Worth noting: O’Brien takes over for Ann Plackett at head coach after being an assistant coach last season. Their eight wins was the most in a season since 2019, when they went 18-12. Lyons comes back after leading the team with 16 home runs and 49 RBIs as a freshman. Gates and Ayersmann also return to the circle for another season. O’Brien said that the program is focused on the growth of the group of returners who saw plenty of innings a season ago, as well as building up a new team culture. “We’re excited about the direction of our program,” O’Brien said. “Last year gave many of our players valuable varsity experience, and now it’s about taking the next step. Our goal is to compete every day, play for each other, and continue building a culture that our players are proud to be part of.”
Hampshire
Coach: Jeremy Bauer (fifth season)
Last season’s record: 23-11, 11-7 FVC (fourth)
Top returners: Mia Robinson, sr., 1B; Ali LeBlanc, sr., 2B; Alexa Schuring, sr., OF; Mariah Becerra, sr., C; Addison Edlen, jr., IF; Julissa Akins, jr., P
Key newcomer: Becca Coffey, so., P-UTIL
Worth noting: The Whip-Purs beat Harlem 10-2 for their second regional championship in three seasons. Hampshire won 20-plus games for the second year in a row. … Robinson (Macalester College commit) earned All-State Class 4A third-team honors, hitting .464 with 20 doubles, eight homers and 51 RBIs. … The Whips graduated All-State first-teamer Bria Riebel (South Dakota State), who hit .618 with 76 hits. … Edlen hit .431 with 15 doubles and five homers. … “We will need this year’s seniors to show leadership for our pretty young team,” Bauer said of the Whips, who graduated seven from last year."
Harvest Christian-Westminster Christian (co-op)
Coach: Laura Humpa (1st season)
Last season’s record: 12-15, 4-2, 2nd Northeastern Athletic
Top returning players: Haley Miller, soph., SS, Alayna Booras, jr., CF
Key newcomers: Ashley Burke, fresh., P-1B, Fiona Godke, fresh., P-1B, Kayla Brokke, soph., 3B, Maddie Basak, fresh., OF
Worth noting: Humpa coached at Harvest Christian last year and now takes the helm of the combined Harvest-Westminster squad. Miller and Booras were all-conference picks with Miller hitting .537 with 3 homers, 24 RBI and 27 steals, while Booras hit .414 with a homer, 27 RBI and 14 steals. “We have a relatively new team and despite lacking experience playing together, we have a strong, unified team culture, high adaptability and a focused dedication to fundamentals,” assistant head coach Jeff Chrastka said. “This year, our team will be very balanced and patient at the plate.” Humpa and Chrastka also are high on catcher and co-captain Elyse Condrea and Claire Schier, an all-conference honorable-mention pick last year as a freshman. “Elyse is strong defensively and a great communicator,” Chrastka said. “Claire is highly driven and looks to help lead the team this year.” Chrastka noted the Northeastern Athletic will be filled with strong teams. “Our goal is to make sure we give each team the respect they deserve and come ready to play a competitive game each time,” he said. “Our athletes are ambassadors for Christ and we strive to honor and glorify Jesus on and off the field in the way we compete and display sportsmanship through teamwork and leadership.”
Huntley
Coach: Mark Petryniec (22nd season)
Last season’s record: 25-13, 14-4 FVC (tied for second)
Top returners: Aubrina Adamik, sr.; Katelyn Bayness, sr.; Grace Benson, sr.; Morgan Bzdusek, sr.; Keely Fewell, sr.; Lyla Ginczycki, sr.; Makayla Rasmussen, sr.; CeCe Romano, sr.; Avery Collatz, jr.; Lana Hobday, jr.; Layla Olson, jr.; Adalyn Olson, jr.
Key newcomers: Alyssa Weniger, sr.; Ava Schlee, sr.; Kendall Wolf, jr.; Piper Heimbrodt, fr.
Worth noting: The Red Raiders beat Grant 4-2 to win the Class 4A McHenry regional final. Huntley won its 10th straight regional title and has won 20-plus games in 12 straight seasons. … Petryniec enters the season with 497 career wins. … Adamik (Akron commit) and Ginczycki lead returners. Adamik, who earned All-State Class 4A third-team honors, hit .396 with 30 runs and 20 steals. … Ginczycki hit .386 with nine doubles, five homers and 29 RBIs. … The Raiders will have to replace the pitching of Gretchen Huber (18-10, 2.00 ERA, 173 Ks). … Bayness is committed to Wisconsin-Platteville, Fewell to Virginia Wesleyan, Bzdusek to St. Olaf and Weniger to Northeastern Oklahoma A&M. … “It’s early, but Team 23 has been very fun to be around,” Petryniec said. “Players came in ready to work, and our coaching staff looks forward to their accomplishments this season.”
Jacobs
Coach: Jessica Turner (fourth season)
Last season’s record: 17-19, 7-11 FVC (seventh)
Top returners: Molly Hoch, sr.; Kate Takasaki, sr.; Talia Di Silvio, jr.; Audrey Wetzel, jr.; Taylor Schweet, jr.; Skylee Ferrante, so.; Avery St. Leger, so.; Olivia Fillipp, so.; Kendall Davignon, so.; Emily Popilek, so.
Key newcomers: Aliyah Escareno, jr.; Allison Zieleniewski, jr.; Mya Garcia, fr.; Taliya Garcia, fr.
Worth noting: The Golden Eagles improved by five wins in the FVC last year. … Di Silvio and Hoch were All-FVC selections. Di Silvio hit .365 with 32 RBIs and nine doubles, Hoch hit .354 with 14 doubles, 39 RBIs and 26 runs, and Fillipp hit .390 with nine doubles and 38 runs. … “This is a young group that is eager to compete and works hard every day,” Turner said. “They are excited to make an impact on the 2026 season.”
Kaneland
Coach: Mike Kuefler (second season)
Last season’s record: 19-13 overall, 4-6 Interstate 8 (fifth place)
Top returners: Lillyana Crawford, so. C; Maddie Anderson, jr., OF; Brynn Woods, sr., P
Worth noting: Woods is heading to UIC in the fall and is back for her senior campaign with the Knights. Woods’ battery mate Crawford is also back after a standout freshman year, and she is also drawing NCAA Division I attention with a recent trip to Northern Kentucky, coached by DeKalb grad Morgan Gerak.
Larkin
Coach: Megan Johnson Morado
Last season’s record: 15-7, 10-9, eighth Upstate Eight
Top returning players: Mackenzie Wemken, sr., P-3B, Yesenia Escobar, sr. 2B-OF, Lili Heinrich, sr., OF, Ali Herrick, jr., 1B-3B-OF, Jiselle Aguinaga, soph., P-IF, Alexia Alonzo, soph., C-IF
Key newcomers: Rihanna Wiliams, jr., SS, Bianna Ramos, jr., OF, Isabella Ayala, jr., OF, Emily Kowalski, jr., utility, Giselle Escobar, fresh., OF
Worth noting: Herrick was an ICA all-state third-team pick after hitting .417 with a .786 slugging percentage. Herrick and Wemken, 4.95 ERA last season, were all-UEC selections. “We are looking forward to a growing season at Larkin,” Johnson Morado said. “We are ready to compete every game and push our conference rivals to the limit.” Larkin has 6 returners. “They are hungry for success,” Johnson Morado said. “With a competitive schedule ahead, 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 key to making a deep postseason run.”
South Elgin
Coach: Brad Reynard (11th season)
Last season’s record: 29-5, 19-0 Upstate Eight champions; Class 4A regional champions
Top returning players: Jenna Sheehan, jr., P-3B-OF, Emma Bell, jr., CF, Kaidence Rumachik, jr., P-RF, Adreana Hauser, jr., 2B-LF, Liv Miller, jr., 1B, Milley Vjruet, jr., SS-2B, Brandi Meinicke, soph., OF-2B, Miley Faltisco, sr. 3B
Key newcomers: Molly Krabbe, soph., 2B-SS, Ava Lazare, fresh., SS-2B, Charlotte Rzenno, fresh., C-1B, Bella Wesoloski, soph., P-1B, Ryleigh Fagan, soph., 3B-C, Camryn Antor, sr., OF, Lilly Gevoy, jr., 3B, Adriana Santoianni, jr., 1B
Worth noting: The defending Upstate Eight East champions and Class 4A sectional finalists have plenty of talent back with Sheehan a returning all-UEC player and Hauser and Bell earning all-UEC honorable-mention honors. Reynard said many of the team’s juniors and some sophomores on the roster are generating college interest.
St. Charles East
Coach: Jarod Gutesha (10th season)
Last season’s record: 23-16, 7-7 DuKane Conference (sixth place)
Top returners: Hayden Sujack, sr., C; Makayla Van Dinther, sr., P; Morgan Beers, jr., OF; Lexi Majkszak, sr., OF; Leighton Colley, jr., Util.; Ari Bigda, jr., IF; Caleigh Higgins, jr., IF; Alicia Beltrame, jr., P/Util.
Key newcomer: Hannah Wulf, sr., P; Brynn Maple, fr., Util.; Kayla LaRose, fr., Util.; Emily Moline, fr., Util./P
Worth noting: Fresh off their first supersectional appearance since 2019, the Saints enter the season on a hot path, entering ranked fourth in Class 4A in the ICA preseason polls. Sujack, a South Carolina commit, hit .461 with 17 home runs and 48 RBIs. She’s hit 43 home runs in her career, and will look to climb the career leaderboard. Van Dinther returns to the circle after posting a 2.518 ERA and 160 Ks across 139 innings. She’ll be joined by Wulf, a South Carolina commit, who posted a 0.97 ERA and 142 Ks as a junior at Wheaton North. “We graduated some quality players, but we have added plenty of talent to the roster that includes nine players with significant varsity experience,” Gutesha said. “We have solid leadership behind the plate in Hayden Sujack and top-tier pitching with MaKayla VanDinther and adding transfer Hannah Wulf.”
St. Charles North
Coach: Tom Poulin (16th season)
Last season’s record: 22-10, 10-4 DuKane Conference (co-conference champion)
Top returners: Carrigan Rich, sr., P/OF; Abby Zawadski, sr., P/IF; Miranda Quigley, sr., C/OF; Ginger Ritter, sr., IF; Ella Heimbuch, jr., Util.; Julianna Kouba, jr., IF; Faith Maleski, jr., IF/OF; Jordyn McBride, jr., Util.; Brooke Hauser, jr., OF
Key newcomers: Olivia Galliart, jr., P/IF/OF; Sienna Woodmancy, so., IF/OF; Jillian Salter, so., C/IF; Kruze Rich, fr., IF/C; Julia Giesen, jr.. OF/IF; Gianna Lovegren, jr., Util.; Alexis Gouvrea, jr., OF; Vivien Korakis, jr., OF
Worth noting: The North Stars won their third DuKane Conference title in four years, finishing the season tied with Glenbard North atop the standings. Heimbuch (Wisconsin commit, team-high 40 hits last season) and Kouba (.393 average, team-high 25 RBIs) both earned third team All-State honors and will look to be key contributors on offense once again. North enters the season ranked seventh in the Class 4A ICA poll. Poulin noted that filling the holes left by two-time state champions Paige Murray and Mack Patterson will be tough, but is excited to see how the players grow into their new roles and become versatile in multiple positions. “The X-factor here has always been unselfishness, unity and chemistry,” Poulin said. “We have to work each day to achieve those things and then we will be able to overachieve. We want to compete for the conference championship, but more importantly, be playing our best softball when the tournament arrives.”
St. Edward
Coach: Jerry Kublank (10th season, 55 years in coaching)
Last season’s record: 16-15, 9-5, tie third Chicagoland Christian; Class 1A regional champions
Top players: Alaina Nolan, sr., P-1B, Sarah Gurley, SS-C, Kendall Pemberton, sr., 1B, McKenzie Fitzpatrick, IF-C, Taylor Dawson, jr., OF-IF, Layne Dawson, IF-C, Francesca Buono, OF-1B, Sophia Velazo, soph., OF, Sofia Gonzalez, jr., IF-OF, Johannie Jimenez, soph., OF-IF, Katie Higgins, fresh., IF-OF, Suzanna Bernedal, fresh., IF-OF, Hailey Montez, fresh., IF-OF, Sofia Spencer, fresh., IF-OF, Molly Rynne, sr., student manager
Worth noting: This is Kublank’s final season as head coach at St. Ed’s. “It’s time to scale things down a bit,” he said. “I am looking forward to this year though.” Kublank, Palatine’s coach for 13 seasons, is assisted by Erv Gernand, Christina Page and Roy Pena. Nolan was the conference player of the year and is headed to Ivy Leaguer Columbia University. Nolan, Pemberton and Gurley (conference player of the year in 2024) were all-state selections and all-CCC picks. St. Ed’s won its first regional in 9 years. Pemberton, who had the game-winning hit in the regional title win against now Harvest-Westminster, made no errors in 102 chances last season. Kublank noted Bishop McNamara out of Kankakee won the last 2 CCC titles with no league losses. “It should be a balanced competition this year,” he said. “Our goal that I think is attainable is to win conference this year.” Gurley hit .550 last season. Of note on Nolan, she is a little more than 150 strikeouts away from breaking the Green Wave all-time career strikeouts record of 788 (held by Lindsay Zdroik). “She has a chance if she stays healthy,” Kublank noted.
Streamwood
Coach: Nicolle Giliana (4th season)
Last season’s record: 3-23, 3-17, 13th Upstate Eight
Top returning players: Gianna Garcia, jr., C-SS
Key newcomers: Valentina Solis, jr., C-SS
Worth noting: “Many of our players this year are returners coming back with strength and knowledge of the game,” Giliana said. “We are looking to have a good season and are excited to start. We have 2 great players who are taking leadership and showing strong commitment to the program.” Giliana said one of the team’s goals is to move up in the Upstate Eight standings from a year ago.
West Aurora
Coach: Randy Hayslett (13th season)
Last season’s record: 16-17, 12-7 Upstate Eight (sixth place)
Top returners: Gracie Del Toro, jr., OF; Macie Spenny, jr., C/IF; Bella Marzullo, jr., IF; Bella Doyle, so., IF; Ally Lambert, jr., P
Key newcomers: Makayla Speedy, so., OF; Kenzie Nelson-Wilmes, so., Util.; Eva Acevedo, fr., OF/IF
Worth noting: After losing All-Staters Sara Tarr and Keira Hayton to graduation, the Blackhawks will be relying on their junior to help bring up some offensive numbers, with nine of them returning to the team after last season. Del Toro (UT-Martin commit) will take over the leadoff spot this season after batting .402 with 21 RBIs and 12 stolen bases as a sophomore, Marzullo and Spenny are expected to be key bats at the top of the lineup. Lambert also returns to the circle after dealing with injuries last season. “We need to find a way to generate more runs this year with the loss of Tarr and Hayton,” Hayslett said. “Looking for new players to step up offensively and at the corner outfield spots.”
— Alex Kantecki, Joel Boenitz and Eddie Carifio from Shaw Local News Network contributed to this preview