Softball: Scouting 2026 Lake County season
Antioch Sequoits
Coach: Anthony Rocco (15th season, 341-121; 376-156 career)
Last season’s record: 24-14, 12-0, Northern Lake County champions; Class 3A regional and sectional champions
Top returning players: Samantha Hillner, sr., 3B-utility, Addison Webb, sr., C-1B, Tegan Schuler, jr., OF, Claire Schuyler, sr., SS, Alyna Matarieh, jr., utility, Addison Osborne, soph., P
Key newcomers: Brooke White, fresh., 2B-SS, Rylee Dunlavy, fresh., OF-SS, Kylie Pfleeger, fresh., 1B-C, Pearl Wenzel, fresh., P
Worth noting: The continued cream of the crop, Antioch is coming off its seventh league title in 8 years, 12th regional title in a row and fifth sectional crown in a row. The Sequoits have 9 of 10 starters back, including all-staters Hillner (.398, 10 homers, 10 doubles, 40 RBI, 14 steals), Schuler (.395, 5 homers, 31 RBI, 40 runs), Webb (.402, 4 homers, 43 RBI) and Schuyler (.364, 4 homers, 10 doubles, 13 steals). Matarieh hit .366 with 32 runs scored and 18 steals, while Osborne was 10 for 10 in save situations as a freshman and fanned 98 in 100 1/3 innings, while limiting opponents to a .233 batting average. On the college front, it’s Schuyler (Minnesota), Schuler (committed to Michigan State), Hillner (UIC), Webb (Bradley), Mia Bellucci (Lewis), Kailyn Bockwoldt (Rock Valley), Jenna Williamson (Ripon) and Matarieh (who Rocco said should commit to a D-II school soon). “Our strengths are experience and talent,” Rocco said. “Like every year, we play a schedule littered with ranked teams and future D-I pitchers to prepare us for the playoffs. We stated 0-6, the players never wavered and we finished a win from the state finals. Last season, this team was my best team at Antioch in terms of chemistry and mental toughness. I am hoping it continues with adding 4 new faces to the team. In terms of talent, this could end up being the deepest team in terms of college talent, positional depth, offense and Top 5 in pitching depth for our program.” Of note, Rocco pointed out freshmen Dunlavy, White, Wenzel and Pfleeger are all nationally ranked players by various softball publications. “The cavalry has arrived,” Rocco said. Wenzel joins a pitching staff that includes Osborne and Stella Dohrmann, who became the team’s ace during the playoffs (1.46 ERA and .193 opposing batting average during second half of the season). “Pearl Wenzel has elite stuff and length at 5-9 that college coaches crave,” Antioch checked in at No. 5 in the ICA Class 3A preseason poll and will play 16 games against ICA-ranked teams. “I do love the parity of the conference where anyone can beat anyone,” Rocco said. “Our focus is the playoffs, but for our girls winning the conference means something.”
Carmel Catholic Corsairs
Coach: Nicole Parney (3rd season)
Last season’s record: 20-10, 8-4, tie second East Suburban Catholic; Class 3A regional champion
Top returning players: Grace King, sr., C, Kate Buckingham, jr., CF, Bella Cameron, jr., P-1B, Jenae Tompkins, jr., IF-OF, Kaitlyn Konen, sr., 2B-SS
Key newcomers: Hayden Enriquez, soph., P-2B-OF, Alexis Kintis, jr., 3B-SS-P, Sofia Trigsted, fresh., P-1B, Gianna Born, fresh., 2B-C-OF
Worth noting: The Corsairs ran all the way to a Class 3A sectional final a year ago and return quite a bit from that 20-win squad. All-stater King (headed to Division I Louisville) batted .558 with 16 homers, 54 RBI and fanned only 5 times; Buckingham hit .404 with 42 hits and 39 runs scored, while Cameron was 9-3 in the circle. Tompkins hit .385, scored 37 runs and struck out only 10 times. Konen hit .369 and scored 27 runs. King, Cameron, Buckingham, Tompkins and Konen are all returning all-ESCC picks. “Our hitting is strong,” Parney said. “We have several top hitters back who bring knowledge to the plate and are tough outs. We have our returning pitcher (Cameron) and 3 new additions to the pitching staff who will add needed depth.” Parney likes the ground Buckingham covers in the outfield and her strong arm, the great range and strong arm Tompkins has in the middle infield and King’s strong bat, high softball IQ and leadership behind the plate. Looking at the ESCC, Parney said Chicago Marist and Benet Academy will be tough. “Marist and Benet are always our toughest opponents, but we are looking forward to competing with them again this year,” Parney said. “In the ESCC, we fit in towards the top of our conference and are excited to get conference games started.”
Grant Bulldogs
Coach: Chris Van Alstine (11th season)
Last season’s record: 16-16-1, fourth Northern Lake County
Top returning players; Riley O’Grady, jr., 1B-C, Kahrsten Geary, jr., OF, Kenzie Zamora, sr., P
Key newcomers: Jordyn Bernacchi, jr., OF, Gera Buchanan, soph., IF-OF
Worth noting: Northern Illinois-bound O’Grady was an all-state selection after leading the Bulldogs in almost every offensive category. Geary (Concordia, Wisconsin) was an all-NLCC selection and was one of the best defensive players on the team, Van Alstine noted. Zamora will be Grant’s No. 1 pitcher. “We have a great deal of speed this year and the focus is to end up on base as much as possible,” Van Alstine said. “I really believe we can cause some real problems for pitchers with our ability to run the bases. The team’s attitude towards winning is fantastic. It is not about individual stats and numbers, they just want to win.” Van Alstine said Sophia Tellez is looking to make a huge impact in the outfield, while Sophie Conneally is anchoring in at shortstop and has huge upside. Van Alstine added Grayce Haschak is taking on the bulk of the catching and has a great arm. “I believe in this team and I believe in my players,” Van Alstine added. “We will compete every day and see how it finishes up.”
Grayslake Central Rams
Coach: Jim Plaza (4th season)
Last season’s record: 15-15, 8-4, second Northern Lake County
Top returning players: Kate Davies, sr., 1B-C, Autumn Aliff, jr., OF, Cameron Marshall, soph., C-3B
Key newcomers: Jolie Starzec, jr., OF, Natalie Mazurkiewicz, soph., SS-2B, Hadley Deets, fresh., P-utility, Tessa Fritz, fresh., utility
Worth noting: Loyola-Chicago commit Davies was an all-state selection after hitting .409 with 11 homers, 11 doubles and 35 RBI. Aliff (.421, 4 homers, 5 doubles, 5 triples, 49 runs) and Marshall (.416, 10 doubles, 21 RBI) were all-NLCC picks. While Central graduated 7 seniors including league player of the year Emma Andrews and 4-year all-conference pitcher Annie Wolff, Plaza feels this may be one of the strongest incoming freshman classes in a long time. “There are multiple players competing for multiple positions, which has created exciting battles during practice,” he said. “We should continue to be a strong offense team, and the newcomers taking over key defensive positions have looked strong so far. We are led by sophomore and freshman pitchers in the circle.” Evert and Deets will add to the pitching rotation as freshman, while Plaza added Fritz provides multi-positional flexibility behind the plate and in the infield and outfield. Marshall, he said, will take on more of a role behind the plate, while Central’s infield could look quite different from last year. Plaza said the NLCC will be filled with competitive teams. “We play in a tough conference,” he said. “We are fortunate to have the chance to prove ourselves against such a strong group.” Central travels to Orlando for spring break to kick off its season. “The team has been coming together in an extremely positive way,” Plaza said.
Grayslake North Knights
Coach: Amanda Rodriguez (6th season)
Last season’s record: 17-12, 7-5 Northern Lake County; Class 3A regional champion
Top returning players: Brena Dalton, soph., SS-3B, Riley O’Brien, soph., P
Key newcomers: Gabby Zapata, fresh., C-3B, Mackenzie Toussaint, fresh., OF
Worth noting: Dalton (.495 hitting, 9 doubles, 5 triples, 2 homers), O’Brien (1.92 ERA, 172 strikeouts, 32 walks, ..368 hitting), Jan Pritchard and Alyson Alvarenga were all-NLCC selections. Raygen Moore is headed to Harper College next season. Youthful North has no juniors on the team (4 seniors, 5 sophomores and 4 freshmen), but returns 8 starters and has both pitchers back. “I believe we are strong in all aspects this season,” Rodriguez said. Rodriguez said power hitter Dalton and control pitcher O’Brien both had strong freshman seasons, while Grace Hoker has increased her pitching speed and has developed more control. Rodriguez feels North will be a contender in the NLCC. “Our conference is strong,” she said. “I think everyone will be tough competition.”
Lakes Eagles
Coach: Bill Hamill (18th season)
Last season’s record: 12-15, 5-7, fifth Northern Lake County
Top returning players: Live Tautges, sr., SS-C, Aubrey Murray, sr., P-utility, Rae Carraro, sr., OF-P, McKenna Gray, sr., utility, Zoey Christian, jr., C-SS, Emily Byrne, jr., 3B-OF, Eryn Oleson, P-OF-1B, Ella Egmer, soph., OF, Brooke Maxson, soph., 2B, Abby Charlton, jr., 1B-P
Key newcomers: Layla Knodel, soph., 2B, Abby Szabo, soph., P-1B-OF, Cami Lowery, fresh., OF-SS, Adi Hart, fresh., 2B, Meah Christian, fresh., 3B-C
Worth noting: Lakes is young this season with the majority of the roster non-seniors. “We are young,” Hamill said. “Time will tell us.” Hamill, like other NLCC coaches, agreed the conference is strong this season.
Lake Zurich Bears
Coach: Nicole Pieper (2nd season)
Last season’s record: 15-19-1, 9-5, fourth North Suburban
Top returning players: Claire Kohlman, sr., 3B-C, Kendall Hull, jr., utility, Alaina Krzeminski, jr., P-1B, Juliana Kekstadt, soph., P-1B-OF, Emma Koelper, soph., C-OF, Cam Krysciak, jr., 1B-C, Alyssa Springer, jr., OF
Key newcomers: Lexie Kahle, jr., OF, Olivia Slawny, soph., C-OF, Ellie Homuth, soph., 2B-OF, Penny Clarin, soph., utility, Cami Lewandowski, fresh., C-1B, Brooklyn Barber, fresh., utility, Riley DeVoss, fresh., P-OF
Worth noting: Hull was an ICA all-state third-team pick after hitting .460 with 57 hits and posting a .990 fielding percentage. Kohlman, an all NSC-selection and committed to Colorado School of Mines, hit .398 with 11 doubles and a .957 fielding percentage and Koelper hit .286 (.962 fielding) and earned all-NSC honorable-mention honors as a freshman. Kreminski hit .276 and logged 107 2/3 innings in the circle (.981 fielding), while Kekstadt hit .316 and pitched 56 2/3 innings. Hull, Lewandowski and Barber are getting good looks from colleges, Pieper noted. “Our team will be younger this year, but that brings great energy and enthusiasm to the field,” Pieper said. “I am excited to see how we compete against strong, competitive teams and continue to grow with each game. With several powerful returners leading the way, our defense and offense have the potential to be a real strength.” Pieper noted Hull, Lewandowski and Barber are 3 names to watch, in particular, this season. “All three are high-level, strong offensively and defensively and have the potential to do some damage at the varsity level,” she said. “They are great kids who work hard every day and who have goals of playing at the next level.” Slawny, a sophomore, is another newcomer to watch out for, Pieper added. On the North Suburban front, Pieper said Stevenson, Libertyville and Warren will be competitive with multiple key players returning. “I believe we will compete with them again and have good games again this season,” she said.
Libertyville Wildcats
Coach: Dar Townsend (2nd season)
Last season’s record: 24-9, second North Suburban
Top players: Taylor Higham, sr., P-OF, Maddie Kleemann, sr., C, McKenna Weaver, soph., P, Juliana Figurelli, soph., IF-OF, Bella Zelenka, jr., C
Worth noting: The North Suburban runners-up have 3 all-NSC picks and 1 all-NSC honorable-mention selection back. Higham (committed to Georgetown) went 11-3 with 156 strikeouts pitching and hit .426 on her way to ICA all-state honors. Kleemann, committed to St. Ambrose College, hit .379 and was all-NSC, while all-NSC honoree Weaver went 10-5 with 133 strikeouts as a freshman pitcher and also hit .315. Figurelli, an all-NSC honorable-mention selection, hit .382 and made no errors in center field as a freshman. Townsend said to watch for Junior Zelenka, who hit .297 before being injured halfway through the season. The Wildcats have 5 returning players. “We will be young around the infield and outfield,” Townsend said. “The strength of our team will be in the circle and behind the plate. We have good senior leadership and a very cohesive group of kids this year.”
Mundelein Mustangs
Coach: Heather Ryan
Last season’s record: 21-11, 8-6, fifth North Suburban; Class 4A regional champions
Top returning players: Shae Johnson, sr., P, Kieley Tomas, sr., Shae Eaman, sr., Emily Courtney, sr., Casey Vyverman, sr., Bella Vega, soph., Taylor Pyke, jr.
Key newcomers: Abby Rejczyk, soph., Mia Gargano, jr.
Worth noting: Johnson, the 2024 North Suburban pitcher of the year and an all-state first-team pick that season, is back after missing all of last season with an injury. “Pitching will be a strength with Shae returning,” Ryan said. “She looks to make an immediate impact and pick up where she left off. Bella Vega is a nice complement to Shae and really did a great job filling in for her last season as a freshman.” Mundelein has 11 varsity returners. “We have 5 great senior leaders and 4 of the 5 seniors have played at the varsity level since freshman year,” Ryan noted. Tomas, committed to St. Thomas, an explosive player, Ryan noted, was an all-state second-team pick after hitting .449 and leading the team in hits with 48 and runs scored with 45. Eaman, headed to Kalamazoo, will help at the plate, while Courtney (Wisconsin-Stevens Point) “is a speed demon on the base paths and a sparkplug at the plate with her timely hitting,” Ryan said. Vyverman, a basketball standout (2025-2026 NSC girls basketball player of the year) and headed to Western Michigan to play the sport there, “is a force at the plate and in the outfield,” Ryan said. Junior Taylor Pyke (Belmont commit) hit .477 with 11 home runs and earned third-team all-state accolades.
Round Lake Panthers
Coach: Dan Berry (1st season)
Last season’s record: 3-17, 1-12, seventh North Suburban
Top returning players: Piper Berry, soph., P-utility, Ari Cabral, sr., C-IF, Brooke Conrad, soph., IF-P
Key newcomers: Maihte Larios, fresh., IF-OF, Shayla Martinez, fresh., IF-OF, Jocelyn Wright, fresh., C-IF
Worth noting: Berry has been a head coach for the middle school track and wrestling teams at Woodlawn Middle School in Long Grove for the last 20 years. Piper Berry had quite the freshman season, hitting .484 (2.014 OPS) with 7 homers and also fanned 132 batters in 63 innings on her way to earning all-state third-team honors. “Piper looks to be a more dominant force in the circle with improved spin, velocity and accuracy,” Dan Berry said. Berry added Cabral has a lot of speed on the bases. “We hope to improve her on-base percentage this season and help generate some more runs,” he said. “Berry noted Conrad worked hard over the offseason “and is looking to contribute in a bigger role at shortstop and in the lineup,” he said. Berry said the Panthers are very young with only a couple upperclassmen in the lineup. “We will rely heavily in the circle and at the plate on Piper, while our younger players figure out the speed of the game,” he said. “Brooke, Ari and Ashley Valdovinos (senior) look better at the plate every day.” Berry said Antioch, Grayslake North and Lakes are teams to watch in that top tier of the NLCC. “We’re hoping to play some closer games and be a more competitive team in the conference as our younger players gain some valuable experience this year,” he said.
Stevenson Patriots
Coach: Brandon Simmons (1st season)
Last season’s record: 28-4, 13-1, North Suburban champions, Class 4A regional champions
Top returning players: Ava Potempa, sr., P, Alyssa Shimanski, sr., OF, Jasmine Lucero, jr., SS
Key newcomers: Hannah Baker, soph., C
Worth noting: The defending North Suburban champions, who reached a 4A sectional final a year ago, are under the direction of new coach Simmons, who coached the JV team at Wheaton North and also spent 13 years as a travel softball coach. Potempa (McLennan Community College in Waco, Texas) was the conference pitcher of the year after going 16-3 in 21 games with 162 strikeouts against 17 walks to go with a 1.36 ERA. Shimanski (UIC commit) hit .385 with 3 homers and 26 RBI, while Lucero hit .385 with 4 homers and 36 RBI. Simmons noted pitching will continue to be a Stevenson strength. Simmons sees Warren, Mundelein and Libertyville as teams the Patriots will compete with in the race to the top of the North Suburban.
Vernon Hills Cougars
Coach: Jan Pauly (12th season)
Last season’s record: 11-24, 4-4 Central Suburban North
Top returning players: Gia Gossett, jr., P-IF, Annie Zbylut, jr., C
Key newcomers: Brooke Gossett, fresh., P-IF, Brynn Gossett, fresh., P-IF-OF
Worth noting: Gia Gossett is a returning all-CSL North pick after hitting .305 last season. Zbylut hit .301. Zbylut and sophomore shortstop Carolynn Bernard are both getting good college looks, Pauly noted. Pauly said Gia Gossett is an all-around solid player with her hitting and defense, while Zbylut is a force behind the plate and is showing power and Bernard is a very strong infielder with a strong bat. “We have depth at pitching and strong defense,” she said. “We are looking to challenge for the conference championship. We are young and passionate about softball. We have strong chemistry and are expecting significant growth as the season progresses.”
Warren Township Blue Devils
Coach: Jenna Charbonneau (11th season)
Last season’s record: 19-9, 9-5, third North Suburban
Top returning players: Camryn Guldnerg, sr., P, Annalise Stich, sr., OF
Key newcomers: Brooklyn Parrish, fresh., C, Sadie Venhorst, fresh., utility
Worth noting: Guldberg (Wisconsin-Eau Claire) was 11-7 in the circle and hit .398 with 21 RBI. Stich hit .395 with 5 homers and 25 RBI (.686 slugging). Guldberg and Stich were both all-NSC selections. Infielder Mia Meno will continue her career at Carthage College. “The strength of this year’s team is the group we have returning from last year,” Charbonneau said. “We have a solid core group of kids that are back and have been working their tails off in the offseason. They have really come together and put in the work. We are looking forward to being competitive in every game we play. We are also excited about the new, young talent we have coming up this year to complement our core returning group.”
Wauconda Bulldogs
Coach: Tim Orisek (9th season)
Last season’s record: 10-24, 4-8 Northern Lake County
Top returning players: Madison May, jr., C, Georgia Reimers, soph., P-OF, Aubrey Fetingis, jr., OF-P, Sophie Mantell, jr., IF
Key newcomers: Ainsleigh Buse, fresh., IF, Giuliana Bacon, fresh., OF-IF, Haily Letto, fresh., IF-C, Alexis Letto, fresh., OF-IF
Worth noting: May earned all-state third-team honors in each of the last 2 years. She hit .459 with 45 hits, 16 doubles, 4 homers and 37 RBI and is getting Division II college offers, Orisek noted. Orisek said to keep an eye on Fetingis, Reimers, Buse and Bacon, who he feels are going to have great seasons. “Our team chemistry is fantastic this season and we have a lot of youth on the roster that I feel is a great core for the next several seasons,” Orisek added. “We have going to be improved on the defensive side of the ball and as the season progresses our bats will only get better.” Reimers fanned 93 in 118 1/3 innings last season, while Fetingis hit .312 with 5 doubles and 16 RBI. Mantell hit .293. Wauconda has 9 sophomores and freshmen out of 13 on the roster. “We are very young but have a lot of talent,” Orisek said. “I cannot wait to see what this group can accomplish as the season goes on. Our conference is always competitive and Antioch is one of the teams to beat. The remaining teams in the conference will also be very competitive and I expect every game with them to be a hard-fought battle.”