The Princeton softball team scored six times in the second inning, then held off a late rally from host Ottawa to earn a 9-7 victory in both team's season opener on Friday afternoon at a cold and windy King Field in Ottawa.

Princeton defeated Ottawa 9-7 on Friday, March 13, 2026 at Ottawa High School.

Softball season is underway. Here are five Kane County storylines to watch for the 2026 season.

Ellie Fox had a tying RBI double in the second inning, and Callie Ferko singled in the go-ahead run in the third as Yorkville softball beat La Salle-Peru in its season opener.

Seneca No. 9 hitter Aurora Weber's soft-hit single tied it, a two-run Geneseo error gave the Irish the lead, and pitchers Tessa Krull and Hayden Pfeifer made it stand up as Seneca softball came back to top Geneseo 4-1 Thursday.

A young Joliet West softball team suffered a 16-8 loss to Sandburg to open the 2026 season on Thursday.

Manteno's softball season began with two different innings of double-digit runs in Thursday's Daily Journal roundup.

Seneca defeated Geneseo 4-1 on Thursday, March 12, 2026 at Seneca High School.

A look at the Mendota, Princeton, Bureau Valley, Earlville, Henry-Senachwine and Fieldcrest softball teams for the 2026 season.

Check out preview capsules for the Daily Journal area's softball teams for the 2026 season.

The 2026 Streator High softball team doesn't have any seniors, but they do show a lot of encouraging signs for both the now and the future of the program as the spring season gets underway.

A team-by-team 2026 season preview for softball teams across The Times coverage area, including Newark, Serena, Earlville, Somonauk/Leland, WFC, Dwight, Fieldcrest and Sandwich.

In an area loaded with softball talent and as the season gets underway, here are our picks for five players to watch across The Times coverage area.

Hinckley-Big Rock has a team for the first time since 2019. A large group of talented freshmen are now a large group of talented sophomores. DeKalb looks to continue its upward trajectory while Sycamore has a couple holes to fill. We explore this season's softball storylines.

In an area loaded with softball talent and as the season gets underway, here are our picks for 5 Players to Watch in 2026 across The Herald-News coverage area.

Here is a look at the 2026 Herald-News-area softball teams, including ballclubs from across the greater Will and Grundy county area.

The Marquette softball team will be young but returns a number of players with experience that will be looking to build off a 26-win, Class 1A regional championship season a year ago.

The Ottawa softball team has a solid mix of talent and experience coming off a 20-10 season in which it captured a third consecutive Class 3A regional championship.

The L-P softball team hopes to make a postseason run behind strong pitching and a high-powered offense.

The softball season is already underway. Check out our five softball players to watch in the Northwest Herald area for the 2026 season.

The softball season is already underway. Check out our team-by-team preview with top returners, newcomers and info on each local team in the Northwest Herald area for the 2026 season.

Starting, relieving and showing off her power, Jacobs’ Skylee Ferrante delivered every way in Monday’s season opener against Marengo. The Golden Eagles sophomore hit her first high school homer, struck out 10 and finished off a 12-10 win.

After overcoming a pair of two-run deficits earlier in the game, Wilmington took an 8-7 opening-day loss to Homewood-Flossmoor in walk-off fashion Monday.

Jacobs travels to Marengo for a nonconference softball game on Monday, March 9, 2026, at Marengo High School.

Bureau Valley defeated Hall 4-0 on Monday, March 9, 2026 at Bureau Valley High School.

The 2026 high school softball season starts this week. Here are previews of teams from around the Record Newspapers coverage area.

The Seneca softball team returns eight starters from last spring's 34-2 ballclub including the 2025 Times Softball Player of the Year, pitcher Tessa Krull, hinting at another stellar season for the Fighting Irish.

As the prep softball season begins Monday, here are five storylines from the Daily Journal area to keep an eye on.

Here are five storylines to watch during the 2026 softball season across The Herald-News area.

Can Prairie Ridge top last season's third-place state finish in Class 3A? Who are the teams to beat in the FVC and KRC? Here are five storylines to watch in McHenry County for the 2026 season, which begins Monday.

An entire lineup of nine standouts return to the diamond from last year's Daily Journal All-Area softball team.

The Reds Baseball Academy in Yorkville celebrated the grand opening of the new “state-of-the-art” training facility they hope will lead to some grand slams. The facility offers baseball and softball training, clinics, cage and turf rents, and winter programs.

What does a home‑run hitter do when home runs don’t exist? Genoa-Kingston senior Lizzy Davis went to Europe for an indoor tournament where the ceiling is an out and the wall is 10 feet behind first. She still found a way to rake.

Mylee Hulstedt and Mackenzi Shere, athletes from Stillman Valley High School, have been selected to compete in the 30th annual international fastpitch event known as The Cup held in the Netherlands.

The Huntley Red Raiders Fastpitch travel softball program has opened a new indoor facility. In the past the organization rented space wherever available; now it's got a home to all its own.

Take a look back at some of the top sports stories from the Daily Journal area in 2025.

It was a calendar year of outstanding achievements for many Kendall County athletic programs and individuals. Teams recording historic seasons. Record-setting accomplishments. Individual glory on the greatest of stages. Here are the Top 5 Sports Stories of 2025 in Kendall County

Crystal Lake Central junior Oli Victorine sets the bar high for herself. The Tigers ace in the circle recently announced her commitment to play softball at NCAA Division-I Illinois.

L-P pitcher Taylor Vescogni will continue her softball career at Colgate University, an NCAA Division I school in New York.

An oversight in the original construction of the maintenance building at the 315 Sports Park has lead to an additional $1 million in spending.

BBCHS is moving toward a four-year contract with the Bradley Village Board to begin calling the Bradley 315 Sports Park is new home for boys baseball.

Huntley shortstop Aubrina Adamik recently announced her commitment to NCAA Division-I Akron. Adamik has helped the Red Raiders to three straight Class 4A regional championships.

A new baseball and softball training facility coming to Yorkville is being called a “game-changer” for the community by city officials. The Reds Baseball & Softball Academy is described as a state-of-the-art 21,000 sq. foot facility.

The annual Herscher Labor Day Celebration kicks off Saturday and activities run through Monday, highlighted by the Grand Parade at 10:30 a.m.

Streator graduate Joyce Walkling has signed on to continue her education at Illinois Valley Community College and her softball career with the Eagles.

Two-time Times All-Area Softball first-teamer RayElle Brennan has committed to continue her education at Olivet Nazarene University and her softball career with the Tigers.

Serena graduate and Times All-Area Softball first-teamer Maddie Glade has committed to continue her education at Illinois Valley Community College and her softball career with the Eagles.

Annie Scaramuzzi, who starred for Oswego in high school and was co-coach for this past season's state championship team, has been named the Panthers' next head coach.

To tryout for the Waubonsee Commnunity College softball team you need experience, a current physical, and be enrolled full-time at WCC for fall classes.

Bradley's $50-million, 12-diamond youth baseball and softball complex received rave reviews as it was opened to a business gathering on a sun-soaked Tuesday.