Woodstock sophomore Megan Kuiper struck out 38 batters in her first 14 1/3 innings of the season, including 20 in a near no-hitter against Round Lake. Kuiper is the Northwest Herald Athlete of the Week in an online vote.

Due to declining numbers in participation and an inability to field multiple softball teams at each school, the four District 155 schools are set to move to a co-op structure in 2027, pairing Crystal Lake Central with Prairie Ridge and Crystal Lake South with Cary-Grove.

Harvard's Leona Eichholz struck out 15 batters and hit a go-ahead home run in the sixth inning as the Hornets shut out Richmond-Burton 7-0 in their Kishwaukee River Conference softball game Thursday.

Harvard face Richmond-Burton in a Kishwaukee River Conference softball game on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Richmond-Burton High School.

Bella Moore belted a game-tying home run in the seventh inning and Reese Vrba crushed a walk-off, three-run home run in the ninth inning as Prairie Ridge rallied from a six-run deficit to beat Jacobs 9-6 during Fox Valley Conference softball action Wednesday.

McHenry senior Natalie Bender was all smiles Wednesday, striking out seven batters in the circle and hitting two home runs to lead the Warriors to a 10-3 Fox Valley Conference win over Crystal Lake South.

Jacobs vs. Prairie Ridge in a Fox Valley Conference softball game on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at Prairie Ridge High School.

Huntley senior Lyla Ginczycki hit a first-pitch, two-run home run in the first to set the tone, and junior Layla Olson fired a complete game with 11 strikeouts as the Red Raiders beat Crystal Lake Central 8-2 in the teams' Fox Valley Conference opener Tuesday.

Huntley faces Crystal Lake Central in a Fox Valley Conference softball game on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Crystal Lake Central High School.