DuPage County softball notes: West Chicago’s Majer makes impressive return from multiple injuries
West Chicago senior center fielder Haylee Majer has made quite the comeback this season.
As Wildcats coach Mary Kate Dieter, explains, Majer was pulled up to varsity halfway through her freshman year and then hurt her knee and underwent surgery. A commitment to rehab got Majer back in only 4 months, Dieter noted.
Sophomore year, Majer hit a team-tying-high 6 homers, but then had another setback her junior year with another knee injury (and another surgery) right before West Chicago's’s season started. Majer missed her entire junior year with the exception of the team’s 2 playoff games. Majer had the game-winning RBI in the ninth inning of the first playoff game — her first at-bats in about 8 months.
Fast forward a year, and Majer is better than ever. She started the week hitting .467 (.522 on-base) and had tied the program all-time single-season home run mark with eight to go with 25 RBI. Majer hit 3 homers in one game against Bartlett. During a recent 5-game run, Majer hit .632 with 12 hits, seven of them being home runs. Majer also had a 2-homer game against Fenton.
Majer also has been lights out in center. “Haylee is consistently taking out runners taking extra bases off a base hit,” Dieter said. “She places her right and left fielders perfectly and communicates to those underclassmen in right and left on where the play is next. She is the mom of the outfield.”
West Chicago started the week 10-10 overall and 8-3 in Upstate Eight East action and is a No. 13 sectional seed in the Class 4A Yorkville sectional. Other key contributors to the Wildcats include Samantha Mueller (.407 batting, .508 on-base, 5 RBI in last 4 games, key RBI in win against Glenbard East), Sophia Ptak (168 career hits, 22 career homers, 23 hits in 2026), Brielle Borner (.420 hitting, .491 on-base) and Nora Delancey (14 RBI).
Dieter also has been high on the play of Cassiella Koeune behind the plate and Mueller at third base. “Cassiella is usually at catcher, and ask other coaches in our conference, she stops every ball in the dirt,” she said. “She has a killer arm. Her game savvy and cannon arm are the reason we won the Glenbard East game. She made a quick decision to bail on the play at home and catch the batter trying to get to second. Samantha makes every routine play at third and short and at least 1 spectacular play per game.”
Willowbrook update: The Warriors have turned a 2-10 start into 13 wins in their last 17 games. The Warriors, who finished second in the West Suburban Conference Gold Division, at one point won 8 games in a row and 12 of 13. Willowbrook’s 3 league losses were by a combined 6 runs.
Key for the Warriors offensively have been Millikin-bound Allie Coppersmith (.516 hitting), Marli Smrz (.500) along with junior shortstop Liz Pettinger (.412). Coppersmith and Smrz, both seniors, had struck out a combined 9 times in 171 at-bats to start the week. Coppersmith recently was named the Willowbrook High School Booster Club most outstanding female athlete for the 2025-2026 school year.
Willowbrook coach Natalie Gamino added freshman Tessa Burritt and senior Kyleigh Miazga have been constants as well for the Warriors, who open Class 4A regional action against Conant Tuesday in Hoffman Estates.
“Tessa collided with a runner last week, got hit by 3 pitches, 2 being in the head, and she still wants to be on the field,” she said. “Defensively, Kyleigh is very strong at first base and we can always count on her to get the job done.”
Benet Academy update: The Redwings, the No. 7 seed in the Class 4A Yorkville sectional, finished behind unbeaten Marist in the East Suburban Catholic Conference.
Lanie Rosner, a junior committed to Southern Illinois, started the week hitting .466.
“Lanie has been a constant both at the plate and behind it,” Benet coach Janet Royal said. “She hasn’t missed a single game this season, even when she was playing through injury. That kind of dedication and leadership from a junior is truly exceptional, and it sets the tone for the entire season.”
Royal also applauded the contributions from freshmen Despina Patos, Avery Burns (.396 batting with 9 homers) and Abbie Brdecka. “Despina, Avery and Abbie have shown up every game and made meaningful contributions to our lineup from Day 1. For first-year players to be that reliable and impactful is something special — and it speaks volumes about the future of this program.”
Also contributing are senior Gianna Cunningham (.482) and sophomore pitcher Noel Klody (2.05 ERA, 123 strikeouts in 102 innings) for Benet (17-15 to start the week), which opens regional action Wednesday against Neuqua Valley at Oswego.
Fenton update: Coach Dave Mello noted junior Sophia Hollis and sophomore Isabella Delgado have been putting up numbers that will rank very high in Bison softball record book.
Hollis started the week hitting .506 (1.337 OPS) with 47 hits, 3 triples, 5 homers and 50 runs scored, while Delgado had 7 wins, 3 saves, a 2.16 ERA and 124 strikeouts, while also posting a team-high 30 RBI for the Bison (16-13 to start the week), who have advanced directly to the Class 3A Glenbard South regional title game next Saturday at 10 a.m. against the host and No. 4 sectional seed Raiders. The other 3 regionals in the Glenbard South sectional feature 3 teams each. Fenton is the No. 5 sectional seed.
Also of note for Fenton, junior Emma Siekierski had been hit by a pitch 14 times and been credited with 18 sacrifices through the team’s first 29 games. Junior Kailey Bernero (.547 on-base) and sophomore Kaitlynn Overfield (3 triples) also have been key contributors.
“This team has been a pleasure to work with,” Mello said. “Coming into the season knowing our numbers were down the girls are showing up each day and doing what is necessary to improve.”
Glenbard West update: The Hilltoppers (6-17 overall with conference wins over Oak Park, Downers North and Hinsdale Central) are led by seniors Alexa Trybus (.468, 17 RBI), Caroline Semprevivo (.300, 18 RBI) and freshman Sofia Carbonari (.333, 19 RBI).
“Even with our record, we had to overcome a lot of different obstacles at the start of the season due to many circumstances and the one constant this group has shown is playing for each other,” West coach Mary McGrane said. “We returned 2 starters and this is a group that has shown a lot of growth since Day 1 because they show up every day ready to work and improve.”
West is the No. 15 seed in the Class 4A Bartlett sectional.
IC Catholic Prep update: The Knights (26-5 overall) shared the Girls Catholic Athletic White title with Chicago St. Ignatius College Prep. Both teams finished 12-2 in league action. ICCP split with Ignatius and lost to Chicago De La Salle. An 8-4 ICCP win over St. Francis this week secured the tie. Francis handed Ignatius its only other conference loss.
Sofia Bucaro (team leader in batting average), Kelly Cahill and Lexi Russ (both tops in RBI) and Ari Zito (stolen bases) have been offensive keys for coach Frank Reaber’s club, while pitcher Maddy Dinino had an 11-2 record to start the week.
Reaber also is high on freshman Sophia Deoudes and sophomore Ema McMillen. “Sophia has been playing extremely well and Emma has been getting better every game,” he said. “Our defense has been good and we have real good team chemistry right now. They are having fun playing together. They are a fun team to coach.”
The Knights have automatic entry into a Class 2A regional title game next Saturday at Triton College in River Forest, awaiting the winner of Trinity and Wheaton Academy.
Lake Park update: The Lancers (22-8, 10-4 third place DuKane) are the No. 3 seed in the upcoming Bartlett sectional behind DuKane brethren St. Charles North and St. Charles East.
Alex Kiefer leads the Lancers with 9 homers (.360 hitting, 30 RBI), while Marissa Marciniak has 5 home runs (.371 hitting, 32 RBI). Lake Park also has been bolstered by consistent pitching from Kaylee Fritzler (54 K in 52 innings, 2.15 ERA) and freshman Maya Melendez (104 K in 75 1/3 innings, 2.32 ERA). Grace Rosario is hitting .422 (38 hits).
Lisle update: Benedictine University-bound Megan Bradley pitched all 10 innings in Lisle’s recent 5-1 loss to Herscher in Illinois Central Eight action. “It was a great game,” Lions coach Jennifer Zimmerman said.
Bradley started the week hitting .345 with 5 doubles, 4 triples, 10 RBI and 14 runs scored from the leadoff spot and was 4-6 in the circle. “Megan keeps us in games,” Zimmerman said.
Her twin sister Erin, off to UW-Platteville, is hitting .291 with 5 doubles and a homer for Lisle (7-13), which as a No. 3 sub-sectional seed opens Class 2A regional action at home Wednesday against No. 6 Chicago F.W. Parker.
Metea Valley update: Freshman Lilly Aguilar (.413, 8 doubles, 3 homers, 25 RBI, 18 runs) and sophomore Maielle Ernser (.371, 5 doubles, 6 RBI, 28 runs, 15 steals) have been offensive cogs for the Mustangs , who open postseason action Monday against Romeoville with the winner getting No. 1 sectional seed Yorkville Tuesday at Waubonsie Valley.
Montini Catholic update: The Broncos (20-7 overall) finished tied for third with Fenwick in the Girls Catholic Athletic Red at 7-5. Montini is a No. 3 seed in the Class 3A Glenbard South sectional.
Leading the way for the Broncos are sophomore Cameron Fox (.500 hitting, 44 hits, 27 RBI, 16-4 in the circle, 184 strikeouts, 108 innings, opponents hitting .196), junior Aubrey Raffen (.488, 41 hits, 9 homers, 42 RBI0 and Cedona Barrett (.457, 37 hits, 12 doubles, 21 RBI). “Defensively, at first base, Aubry has been a spark for our defense through great glove work and stealing outs in foul territory,” Montini coach Amy Bukovsky said.
Bukovsky added the battery of Fox and junior catcher Bridget Ryan has been strong throughout the season. “While Cameron’s pitching performances speak for themselves, Bridget has done a great job of connecting with her, helping her adjust in-game, and controlling the field from behind the plate,” she said.
Junior Alexandria Kalins and sophomore Danika Lucadello, Bukovsky noted, have been aggressive in the outfield “and have consistently made plays to steady our defense,” she said.
Naperville North update: Sara Rossi and Gabi Chmiel each hit the 100-career varsity-hit plateau recently. Chmiel also is closing in on 300 career strikeouts in the circle.
During a recent 5-game run, seniors Rossi (.438 batting), Addison Wade (.438) and Chmiel (.462) all have swung the bat well, coach Nick Lago noted. Aubrey Marino was second on the team with a .424 on-base percentage.
The Huskies open Class 4A Oswego regional play Monday against Bolingbrook with the winner facing No. 2 sectional seed Oswego on Tuesday.
Waubonsie Valley update: The Warriors (16-10 overall, third DuPage Valley at 9-5 and a No. 9 seed in the Class 4A Yorkville sectional) have received consistent offensive performances from the likes of Alyssa Tucker (.456 batting, 36 hits, 5 doubles, 5 triples, 3 homers, 17 steals) and Molly Quinn (.373, 25 hits, 7 doubles, 3 homers).
“Alyssa and Molly continue to be a force at the plate,” Warriors coach Val Wood said.
Marissa Leaf has 45 strikeouts in 43 innings against only 11 walks, while Quinn has 143 strikeouts in 99 innings and a 2.80 ERA.
“Marissa Leaf has come in with some quality pitching performances to help us secure wins,” Wood said.
Westmont update: The Sentinels (12-10 to start the week) won the Chicago Prep League regular-season title at 4-0. Westmont is a Class 2A No. 3 sub-sectional seed and opens with No. 5 Chicago Latin School Wednesday in its own Westmont regional.
“Constants have been solid pitching and good defense,” Westmont coach Josh Ott said.
Gwyneth Jindra continues to excel at the plate and in the circle, hitting .681 (.746 on-base, 2.171 OPS, 1.426 slug) with 32 hits, 7 homers, 33 RBI and 30 runs scored. She also has 96 strikeouts in 67 innings to go with 7 wins. Reagan Kelly is hitting .458 (1.034 OPS) with 22 RBI, while Cate Jackson is at .383 (1.064 OPS) with 14 RBI, 21 runs and 11 steals. Alexis Ott is hitting .315 (1.051 OPS) with 4 homers, 18 RBI, 28 runs scored and 10 steals.
Wheaton Warrenville South update: Seniors Caroline Schulz and Nelia Krichun have been at the top of the order most of the season and putting up big numbers for the Tigers (14-12 to start the week).
Krichun started the week hitting .425 with 9 extra-base hits, 13 RBI and 19 steals, while Schulz was hitting .397 with 15 RBI and 12 steals.
“Caroline and Nelia getting on and stealing bases has been the spark to our offense in most cases,” Tigers coach Jeff Pawlak said. “They also have played very consistent defense in left field and center field.”
Junior Avery Arnold started the week 12-7 in the circle with 107 strikeouts in 112 innings (3.29 ERA) and also is hitting .353 (5 doubles, 4 triples, 3 homers and 16 RBI). The Tigers, a No. 8 sectional seed, open regional play Wednesday against No. 9 seed and host Waubonsie Valley.
York update: The Dukes (17-12 overall) ended in a tie for first place with Oak Park-River Forest in the West Suburban Conference Silver Division. Both teams finished 8-2. York split with Oak Park and lost 1 game to Lyons, while Oak Park’s other league loss came against Downers Grove North.
The Dukes started the week with 39 home runs as a team. Lilly Burda (.500 average) was leading the way with 11 homers and 44 RBI. Myka Matykiewicz was hitting .397 with 7 homers and 25 RBI, while Maggie Demopolous was hitting .402 with 37 singles, 33 runs scored and 15 steals and Emily McNichols was hitting .375 with 7 homers.
“Emily is always a positive energy in the dugout,” York coach Lisa Fraticola said. “She has grown on and off the field this season and has also been a consistent defender for us in left field.”
Burda, the WSC Silver leader in home runs, also has been key on defense at short and in the clubhouse, Fraticola noted.
“Lilly is a constant at shortstop,” said Fraticola, whose team is the No. 8 seed in the Class 4A Bartlett sectional. “Her leadership and poise in her fourth year on varsity has been influential.”