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Kairi Lantz, Sycamore, jr., C/3B
Last year, she hit .441 with seven home runs and 36 RBIs. She led the team with 23 extra-base hits. She also came through in clutch situations, hitting .409 with runners on and .400 against above-average pitching with 16 two-out RBIs. She also made two errors in 218 chances and handled the Sycamore staff well. She was the 2024 Daily Chronicle Softball Player of the Year. And she achieved all that as a sophomore.
Addi Armstrong, Sycamore, so., 3B/2B
Last year Sycamore reached a Class 3A supersectional with only two seniors, getting a lot of production from a young roster. Armstrong definitely was a big part of that, hitting .410 overall and .383 against above-average pitching. She drove in 32 runs, slugged at a .566 clip and made only four errors in 68 chances.
Ayla Gould, DeKalb, sr., SS/2B
Gould has spent the past three years as the primary pitcher for the Barbs, despite her natural position being in the middle infield. This year, there are some young hurlers for the Barbs, which will allow Gould to shift into the field and focus on her hitting. She hit .423 with a home run last year.
Brynn Woods, Kaneland, jr., P
A dominant pitcher the past two years for the Knights, she has started this season hot at the plate, as well, looking to build off her .300 batting average from a year ago. In the circle she struck out 154 while walking 18 with a 1.75 ERA, a big part of the Knights' regional title.
Lizzy Davis, Genoa-Kingston, sr., IF/P
Davis was hurt for a big part of last year but has come out of the gates hot early with a pair of home runs in the season opener. In addition to bopping at the plate, she brings a big arm into the circle and could be a key part in any success a young Cogs team has this season.