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DeKalb Barbs
Last year: 5-21, lost to Auburn in a Class 4A DeKalb Regional semifinal
Top returners: Sydney Myles, so., OF; Hazel Montovon, jr., SS; Izzy Aranda, jr., util.; Ayla Baty-Gould, jr., P/util.
Key newcomers: Emma Hart, so., OF/2B
Worth noting: Last year didn’t go as anyone planned for the Barbs. Not only were they super young, but an injury to Baty-Gould, the team’s main pitcher, derailed a lot of the season. Each of the top returners has started since they were freshmen, giving the Barbs a lot of experience. Coach Haley Albamonte said Hart has improved a ton from last year and will be a key contributor from the left side of the plate. The team is loaded top to bottom with speed – first and foremost with Myles, a state-caliber track athlete who split her freshman season between softball and track. Albamonte said that speed should translate into a lot of pressure on opposing teams and hopefully runs on the scoreboard.
Sycamore Spartans
Last year: 28-11, lost to Antioch in the Class 3A Kaneland Supersectional
Top returners: Addison Dierschow, jr., P; Faith Heil, so., OF/2B/SS; Bella Jacobs, so., P/OF; Kairi Lantz, so., C/3B; Addie McLaughlin, jr., OF; Brighton Snodgrass, jr., util.; Keera Trautvetter, sr., 2B/SS/OF; Kait Williams, jr., 1B
Key newcomers: Addi Armstrong, fr., 2B/SS/OF; Ema Durst, fr., C/3B/OF; Ellison Hallahan, so., P/OF; Bella Johnson, jr., C/OF; Riley Schuller, so., C/1B
Worth noting: There’s a lot of talent back from last year, even with a couple of big pieces graduated off a team that was one win away from the state tournament. There are also no seniors in the main rotation of players along with seven freshmen and sophomores. Lantz displayed a ton of power in key moments as a freshman last year and will be a key middle-of-the-lineup piece this year. Jacobs and Dierschow should get most of the innings in the circle. Coach Jill Carpenter said the team’s defense is strong, but a lot will depend on the offense – she said the team will need to put runs on the board to win games. On paper, at least, the potential for a big offense is there.
Kaneland Knights
Last year: 17-17, lost to Sycamore in a Class 3A Belvidere North Sectional semifinal
Top returners: Brynn Woods, so., P
Key newcomers: None provided
Worth noting: The Knights won a regional for the eighth year in a row last year to finish the year at .500. A lot of key players graduated from that team, but Woods was a standout last year as a freshman and figures to be a key component this year.
Genoa-Kingston Cogs
Last year: 14-16, lost to Marengo in a Class 2A Oregon Regional semifinal
Top returners: Emily Trzynka, sr., util.; Kiearah Mitchell, sr., P/1B; Faith Thompson, sr., OF/SS; Reagan Tomlinson, sr., util.; Olivia Vasak, jr., C/2B/SS; Elizabeth Davis, so., P/1B/3B
Key newcomers: Arielle Rich, fr., C/util.
Worth noting: With eight returners, six of whom are seniors, coach Erica Swan said she’s optimistic about this season The Cogs last had a winning season in 2019 and last won a regional in 2012. Trzynka and Mitchell had outstanding offensive years last year, hitting over .400. Swan said three of the six seniors already have their college plans lined up, and the team is versatile, competitive and energetic.
Indian Creek Timberwolves
Last year: 13-10, lost to Newark in the Class 1A Newark Regional championship
Top returners: Emily Frazier, sr., 1B/3B
Key newcomers: Taylor Hulmes, fr., P
Worth noting: Frazier is a big bopper in the middle of the lineup for the Timberwolves, while Hulmes will handle a lot of the duties in the circles in her first high school season. It should add up, coach Denver Davis said, to a competitive season.
Hiawatha Hawks
Last year: 3-15, lost to Ashton-Franklin Center in a Class 1A Forreston Regional first-round game
Top returners: Malia Hampton, sr., 3B; Nelly Delvalle, jr., C; Madison Krumweide, jr., P
Key newcomers: Mia Siddall, jr., SS/P; Mariah Langley, so., 2B
Worth noting: It seemed for a while that Hiawatha, like Hinckley-Big Rock, wouldn’t be able to field a team this year. But coach Dayna Breese said they were able to scrape together 10 players, and she said their heart and spirit are unmatched. Breese said Hampton has a lot of leadership qualities that are most welcome on the young team. She said she’s optimistic the team will be able to punch above its weight class and be competitive throughout the year.