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With softball practices underway and games starting March 17, here’s a look at five storylines to keep an eye on for the 2025 season.
Youth is a year older and more experienced
Of the 13 players on the 2024 Daily Chronicle All-Area first team, including player of the year Kairi Lantz from Sycamore, 10 are returning.
With all that youth, three of the six teams were bounced in the first game of the postseason last year, although Sycamore, Genoa-Kingston and Kaneland each reached at least the sectional round.
It should be interesting to see what impact another year of experience has on the young players, especially when it comes to the postseason.
Sycamore brings back almost everybody from supersectional team
The Spartans reached a Class 3A supersectional for the third time in the past four postseason, losing to Antioch for the second straight year.
There were two seniors on that team, one of whom was injured most of the year. Lantz will lead the team this year after hitting .441 with 36 RBIs and a 1.359 slugging percentage. She also committed just two errors and allowed three passed balls all season.
The lineup is loaded throughout, starting at the top with Addie McLaughlin. The Interstate 8 co-MVP and all-state pick scored 50 times, hit .620 when leading off an inning and was 11 for 11 in steals. Faith Heil, Addi Armstrong and Kait Williams also were first-team selections that are back for the Spartans, as is pitcher Addison Dierschow. The junior starter was co-MVP of the conference with McLaughlin and was 22-2 with a 2.16 ERA and 158 strikeouts in 136 innings.
New coach gets returning talent for DeKalb
Erica Swan takes over the Barbs from Haley Albamonte, but plenty of playmakers return for the Barbs this year.
Both all-area first-team selections return for DeKalb. Hazel Montavon hit a team-best .442, while Izzy Aranda hit .412 with four home runs.
The team also returns Ayla Gould, who has handled most of the pitching duties for the Barbs and batted cleanup for a good chunk of the year. DeKalb has been one-and-done in the postseason the past three years, losing by one run in each of the past two seasons.
Kaneland looking to win sectional, Sycamore likely will be in way - again
The Knights have won a regional in 10 straight postseasons and they won a sectional in 2022.
The past two seasons, the Knights have lost to Sycamore in the sectional semifinal round, including 6-0 last year.
Both of the Knights' all-area first-team selections are back, including junior pitcher Brynn Woods. She had a 1.75 ERA last year, striking out 154 while only allowing 18 walks. Senior shortstop Angelina Campise hit .284 with three home runs last year and also is back.
Genoa-Kingston undergoing wholesale changes
The Cogs won their first regional since 2012 last year but also lost a lot of senior talent and their head coach as well.
Dave Allen takes over the Cogs, who lost their top two pitchers to graduation. But Lizzy Davis saw time in the circle last year despite missing a lot of time with an injury. Fellow junior Lilly Provost could also factor into things in the circle.
Olivia Vasak and Ari Rich had solid seasons last year and could provide some offensive firepower this season.