Softball: Scouting Lake County
Antioch
Coach: Anthony Rocco
Last year’s record: 34-2, 12-0, Northern Lake County champions (Class 3A runner-up)
Top returning players: Jacey Schuler, sr., P-OF; Jadynn Ruiz, soph., 2B-OF; Grace Green, sr., C-1B; Claire Schuyler, soph., SS; Samantha Hillner, soph., 1B-3B
Key newcomers: Tegan Schuler, fresh., OF; Mia Bellucci, soph., 2B-OF; Kailyn Bockwoldt, soph., OF
Worth noting: The Sequoits, state runners-up in Class 3A last year, are back with a roster loaded with young and experienced talent, headlined by Michigan State recruit Jacey Schuler, who went 19-2-1 with an 0.80 ERA and 270 strikeouts in only 147 1/3 innings as a junior. The three-time first-team all-stater been the honorary captain of the Daily Herald Lake County All-Area team the past two seasons. She also hit .541 with 9 homers and 63 RBI. Ruiz hit .442 with 16 doubles, 24 RBI and 20 steals as a freshman, while Schuyler hit .350 with 5 homers and 34 RBI as a freshman. Green and Hillner each hit 4 homers last year. Rocco has 7 starters back, including all-NLCC picks Schuler, Ruiz, Green and Schuyler. Schuler has 791 career strikeouts and, barring injury, will be on the 1,000-K watch as the season wears on. In 14 state playoff games over the last two years, Schuler has 140 strikeouts in 87 2/3 innings with an ERA of 0.24. Rocco said defense and experience are in Antioch’s favor. Last year’s team had a fielding percentage of .973 and that number has increased in 9 of the last 10 years. “It’s been the long-term backbone to our success,” Rocco noted. “Coupled with Jacey’s pitching, it gives us a clear advantage in every matchup.” Four seniors have been on the varsity since ninth grade and all six sophomores were on the varsity last year. “That and between our playoff runs to state and the tough nonconference schedule we play, we should be ready for any situation,” Rocco said. Antioch, ranked second in the preseason Class 3A ICA coaches poll (behind nemesis Lemont), has won the NLCC in five of the league’s six years of existence. Schuler and freshman sister, Tegan, become the second set of sisters to play varsity for Rocco in the same season. Jill Foote (Green Bay) and Piper Foote (Western Illinois) were the first set.
Carmel
Coach: Nicole Parney
Last year’s record: 23-6, 9-3 East Suburban Catholic runner-up
Top returning players: Aly Krogman, sr., P-SS; Emma Carney, sr., C; Ainsley Rastovac, sr., OF-1B; Kaitlyn Konen, soph., SS-P
Key newcomers: Kate Buckingham, fresh., CF-1B; Jenae Tompkins, fresh., 2B; Bella Cameron, fresh., P-1B
Worth noting: The Corsairs return 3 starters from a 2023 team that won a Class 3A regional title. Krogman will continue her career at Loras College, while Carney is headed to Hillsdale College. “The strengths of our team this year will be the experience the returners bring from a successful run last year, speed and the younger group’s eagerness to learn,” Parney said. In terms of the ESCC: “The conference, once again, looks competitive,” Parney said. “Last year, we competed to win the conference against Marist, so we are excited for the opportunity to be one of the other top teams. It’s a very tough conference with many good teams.” Carmel is without returners Grace King (sophomore) and Grace Brown (junior) who are injured and will not play this season. “Even though they are hurt, we are excited for the impact and teaching they will bring to the new players with all their knowledge and experience from last year,” Parney said.
Grant
Coach: Chris Van Alstine
Last year’s record: 15-16, 7-5 Northern Lake County
Top returning players: Molly Veznesky, sr., P; Kaylin Worley, jr., OF; Ella Malak, jr., 2B; Bri Lopez, jr., OF; Taylor Glover, jr., SS
Key newcomers: Kenzie Zamora, soph., P; Gabi Bendinelli, soph., C; Sydney Palladino, sr., C; Grayce Haschak, soph., C; Alyssa Sandquist, sr., 3B; Leigha Koch, jr., 1B; Kendall Cook, jr., P; Caitlyn Themanson, soph., P; Madison Guild, soph., IF; Sophia Conneally, fresh., IF; Kharsten Geary, fresh., OF
Worth noting: Grant advanced to a Class 4A regional title game and returns all-conference players in Lopez and Glover. Lopez won a defensive player of the year award. The Bulldogs have four starters back. Palladino will continue her career at St. Norbert University. “The strengths of this team are our speed and athleticism,” Van Alstine said. “This group is working well together and is focused on doing everything with purpose. I’m really excited to see what this group can accomplish.” Van Alstine said Antioch and Wauconda are the teams to beat in the NLCC. “The conference always looks tough,” he said. “It will be fun to see how we match up with them.”
Grayslake Central
Coach: Jim Plaza
Last year’s record: 12-14, 6-6 Northern Lake County
Top returning players: Eliza Piggott, sr., C; Trinity Breault, sr., P; Emma Andrews, jr., SS; Annie Wolff; jr., P-Utility; Kate Davies, soph., 1B-C
Key newcomers: Kaitlynne Faust, soph., P; Ashley Mueller, soph., Utility
Worth noting: the Rams advanced to a Class 3A regional final last year and return the likes of Andrews, an all-state second-team pick last year after hitting .434 with 7 doubles, 3 homers and 26 RBI. Piggott (University of Evansville commit), was an all-state third-team pick after hitting .529 with 9 homers and 35 RBI to go with 37 runs scored and 12 doubles. Breault (Carthage College) struck out 30 in 61 innings of work. Wolff won 8 games and pitched 93 2/3 innings while also hitting .329 with 19 RBI. Davies hit .328 and had 20 RBI. Central returns all its players from a year ago. Piggott, Andrews, Wolff and Dani Eckenstahler were all-NLCC picks. Davies hit .328 as a freshman, while Angela Ayala was second on the team with 23 runs scored in her freshman season. “We return our entire team for last season, which means they have had a year to grow together and improve as a group,” Plaza said. “The short run we made in the postseason last year gave us some confidence, but it has also served as great motivation during the offseason to work in order to take the next step.” Plaza said upperclassmen leadership is strong led by Piggott, Breault, Ally Struck, Sam Merkelz and Cara Frawley. “The girls are focused and have the mindset that we can accomplish something special as a group this season,” Plaza said. The team is mourning the passing of varsity assistant Tom Blackwell, “an incredible coach and incredibly valuable mentor at Grayslake Central for 16 years,” Plaza said. “The girls have come closer together as a group to carry on what he has taught them and to honor his legacy and contributions to our program. He will be on our minds all season and in years to come.”
Grayslake North
Coach: Amanda Rodriguez
Last year’s record: 6-18-1
Top returning players: Amber Takaki, sr., P; Elyse Gawerecki, sr., SS; Lauren Gaeding, jr., CF; Jane Pritchard, soph., C
Key newcomers: Jordan Churchill, sr., Utility
Worth noting: Takaki was named the team MVP a year ago, while Gaeding earned program defensive player of the year honors. The Knights return a total of five starters. “Our strengths will be the ability to work together, communicate and our defense,” Rodriguez said.
Lakes
Coach: Bill Hamill
Top returning players: Cassidy Berchtold, P; Olivia Tautges, C; Emily Ovaska, 1B; Riley Bell-Nance, utility; Lilly Morin, 1B; Aubrey Murray, P-Utility; McKenzie Fullington, OF-IF; McKenzie Matzl, OF; Rae Carraro, P-OF; Nia Wright, OF-IF; Maggie Popp, Utility
Key newcomers: Zoey Chrstin; Emily Byrne; Elyse Fullington; Abi Charlton; Kiley Clay; Kaela Cook
Worth noting: The Eagles are in good shape with plenty of returning talent. “We have many returners and some that moved up from JV last year,” Hamill said. “We will be strong and rumor has it the conference runs through Antioch. Keep your eyes on the Eagles this year and watch them soar.”
Lake Zurich
Coach: Fred Valdez
Last year’s record: 7-16, 4-8 North Suburban
Top returning players: Alli Koelper, sr., 1B; Katrina Milutinovic, sr., P; Maya Becich, sr., C; Grace McConnell, sr., CF; Morgan Lesniewicz, sr., 3B; Kelly Selzer, jr., SS; Claire Kohlamm, soph., C
Worth noting: Koelper and Selzer are returning all-North Suburban players, while Kohlamm was an honorable-mention all-conference selection as a ninth grader. Lesniewicz will continue her career at Loras College. New coach Valdez has eight starters back and said defense will be a strong suit. “We will surprise in the North Suburban Conference,” he said.
Libertyville
Coach: Sean Ferrell
Last year’s record: 25-12, 10-4 North Suburban
Top returning players: Zoe Kinsella, jr., SS; Emily Psyhogios, jr., 3B-P; Taylor Higham, soph., P; Siena Zombolo, jr., P; Maddy Kleemann, soph., C; Reese Tyrakowski, sr., C; Lindsey Loizzo, sr., OF
Key newcomers: Callie Hill, jr., IF-OF; McKenzie Rihm, soph., Natalie Engman, jr., Sophia Lombardo, jr., Liv Peterson, sr.
Outlook: Kinsella moves from first to short alongside Psyhogios to anchor the left side of the Cats infield. Ferrell also lauded Kinsella’s leadership. “They both should lead us offensively at the plate, hitting at the top of the order,” he added. Higham is back in the circle after setting the school record for strikeouts last year on a team that won a Class 4A regional. “Taylor is one of the most focused and fiercest competitors I have coached,” Ferrell said. “The moment doesn’t phase her. She is an incredibly hard worker off the field, will help us offensively and has a great sense of humility. Zombolo and Psyhogios will also help with the pitching duties. Kleeman and Tyrakowski give Libertyville plenty of firepower behind the plate, while outfielder Loizzo is a three-year starter, “and a great, calming influence,” Ferrell said. “We’re looking forward to the new year and really like how the kids’ work ethic and the culture of the team. It’s an enjoyable group that is doing a nice job each day in the process to reach their full potential.”
Mundelein
Coach: Heather Ryan
Last year’s record: 26-6, 12-3, North Suburban runner-up
Top returning players: Claire Connelly, jr., 1B; Sophia Zepeda, jr., P-LF; Shae Johnson, soph., P; Kieley Tomas, soph., OF; Lillan Scardicchio, sr., C-OF; Karina Benes, sr., C
Key newcomers: Isabella Rizzo, jr., C-OF; Naomi Routledge, jr., OF; Skylar Brown, sr., OF; Taylor Pyke, fresh., 3B; Devin Hill, fresh., IF; Lindsey Dasso, fresh., IF
Worth noting: Connelly, Zepeda, Johnson and Tomas are returning all-NSC picks. Connelly hit .495 and broke the school record for homers that had stood since 1984 with 20 (old record was 15). Zepeda struck out 95 in the circle, while Tomas led the team with a .542 batting average and Johnson hit .438 and fanned 117 on the mound against 45 walks. Scardicchio will attend Hood College in Maryland and play hockey and softball. Mundelein has only 3 seniors on the roster. “Our group is embracing high expectations,” Ryan said. “Our sights are set on a conference championship and a deep run in the state playoffs. The experience in our lineup, along with our skillset and determination to put Mundelein softball back on the map, we should be a top contender in the conference. Some of our strengths will be in our pitching rotation and the dangerous hitters we have throughout our lineup. The play of our newcomers will be key to putting together a solid and consistent team on both sides of the ball.” Ryan lists Warren, Libertyville and Stevenson as top NSC contenders. Mundelein hasn’t won a conference, regional or sectional since 2006 and last made the state finals in 1994. Also of note, 2019 graduate Allison Lambert is Mundelein’s new varsity assistant.
Round Lake
Coach: Lucy Pabst
Last year’s record: 1-23, 1-12 Northern Lake County
Top returning players: Arianna Cabral, soph., C-OF; Paola Caceres, soph., 1B; Alexa Lopez, jr., P; Alissa Bicek, jr., 2B
Key newcomers: Samiyah Webster, fresh., P-C; Mya Hagi, fresh., P-C
Worth noting: Round Lake competed in its first varsity regional playoff competition in three years last season. Cabral earned all-NLCC honors as a freshman. Pabst brings back six starters, including leadoff hitter Cabral, Caceres, Lopez, Bicek, Samantha Romero and Merari Gutierrez. The Panthers have only 1 senior on the roster. “The girls have great comradery and team chemistry,” Pabst said. “They are learning about discipline, teamwork and competition.” Round Lake has a total of 20 players in the program, including 14 newcomers. “We’re excited about the Round Lake softball program,” Pabst said. “We are seeing some major improvements fundamentally and leadership skills are growing early in the season. We also have some new faces on our coaching staff and are very excited to see what this season has to offer. We have a young team and are in the process of rebuilding the softball program. Our goal is building our mental game to be able to keep competing no matter what the scores are.”
Stevenson
Coach: Vera Pflugradt
Last year’s record: 14-11-1; 9-5 North Suburban
Top returning players: Aubrey Jepson, jr., P-1B; Sophia Becker, jr., C-3B; Abbie Lewis, sr., OF-1B
Key newcomers: Addison Pak, jr., OF-2B; Jasmine Lucero, fresh., SS-P
Worth noting: Stevenson is strong on returning experience with 11 players back, including all-NSC selections in Becker and Jepson. Lewis will continue her career at Lake Forest College, while Amanda Turofsky is headed to Wisconsin-Whitewater. Pflugradt likes the team’s offensive prospects, and noted the newly assembled coaching staff has been focused on “fostering a positive team culture and are enthusiastic about the prospects this will create for our team to thrive both on and off the field,” she said. Sophomore pitcher Ava Potempa also is back after working through an injury last season. “Ava has been healthy and we’re looking forward to having her in our starting pitching rotation,” Pflugradt said. Pflugradt said the North Suburban once again will be competitive, “but we have been working hard this offseason and are looking to be one of the top teams in our conference.”
Vernon Hills
Coach: Jan Pauly
Last year’s record: 16-21, 9-1 CSL North champions
Top returning players: Cate Pangilinan, jr., 2B; Katie Cir, jr., C-CF; Morgan Hart, sr., 1B-P; Samone Stevens, sr., P-IF; Shaynne St. Louis, sr., SS-CF; Izzy Loiben, jr., C-OF
Key newcomers: Abbie Zbylut, fresh., C-3B
Worth noting: The Cougars have a lot of talent returning from a team that won the Central Suburban North title. Pauly has 7 starters back, including all-conference picks Pangilinan (.430 batting average), Cir (.308, .981 fielding percentage, 145 innings caught), Hart (.402) and Stevens (3.70 ERA against a tough schedule coming off an injury). Loiben hit .302 and slugged .453 with 39 RBI (second-highest on the team) as a sophomore. Hart is headed to the University of Kentucky, but will not play softball there. Pauly said strengths this spring will be spring and determination. “We will compete to win the conference again,” she said. “The conference will have stronger competition with the addition of Niles West and the maturation of some of the teams that played with younger rosters last year. We are a very close-knit team with amazing team chemistry. We have strong leadership and a lot of energy on the field.” Pauly added an injury-free pitching staff to start the season also will be a strong suit.
Wauconda
Coach: Tim Orisek
Last year’s record: 27-10, 10-2 Northern Lake County runner-up
Top returning players: Ellary Nick, jr., 2B-P; Lesleigh Reimers, sr., P-1B; Alyssa Vodicka, sr., P-IF; Keelin Barton, sr., OF; Bella Antonucci, sr., OF
Key newcomers: Madison May, fresh., C; Ashley Maxwell, soph., 1B-P; Sophie Mantell, fresh., IF-OF-P; Angelina Mitsch, jr., IF; Maddie Zubert, jr., OF-IF
Worth noting: Wauconda made it to a Class 3A sectional final for a third year in a row. Back from that team ae Nick, a second-team all-state pick who hit .486 with 49 hits, 10 homers and 37 RBI. Reimers went 16-5 with a 2.38 ERA and 148 strikeouts against 20 walks in 129 2/3 innings. Vodicka hit .395 with 45 hits, 7 homers and 41 RBI. Barton had 19 hits (2 homers) and 12 RBI, while Antonucci hit .322 with 29 hits, 3 homers and 22 RBI. Reimers will continue her career at Mount St. Mary’s University, while Antonucci is off to Lake Forest College. The Bulldogs return six starters with Nick, Antonucci and Vodicka accounting for 20 homers and 98 RBI between them. “Lesleigh will also be a huge contributor to the lineup and will also lead a pitching staff returning all three key members from last year’s team,” Orisek said. “Pitching and defense will continue to be a strength for us. Losing the seniors we did in the lineup will be hard to replace, but I have a lot of confidence that the returning starters and several newcomers will fit in nicely to our lineup and provide us with depth as the season progresses. I’m excited to see what this group can do.”
Warren
Coach: Jenna Charbonneau
Last year’s record: 27-7, 13-1 North Suburban champions
Top returning players: Hannah Conger, sr., IF; Nikki Petter, jr., IF
Worth noting: The Blue Devils, ranked in the preseason Class 4A ICA coaches poll, are coming off a 2023 campaign where they won the North Suburban title and advanced all the way to a Class 4A supersectional game. University of Wisconsin commit Hannah Conger is back after hitting .376 with a .782 slugging percentage to go with 12 homers and 40 RBI. She is a returning all-state and all-area selection. Peter batted .295 a year ago. Charbonneau has 4 starters back. “We are a young and hungry team this year,” she said. “Athletes are willing to work hard and learn. We are looking forward to getting started and competing every day. We will be a competitive team and hope to end up on the top of the conference again.”