5 to Watch: A few of the top softball players returning this season in The Times area

There’s a ton of talent returning to The Times area’s balldiamonds this spring. Here’s a look at five of the best we can’t wait to see retake the field after earning high honors on The Times 2021 All-Area Softball Team:

Maci Byers, Streator, sr.

A Times All-Area second-team selection in 2021, the Bulldogs catcher is a weapon both behind the plate and standing next to it, last spring hitting .338 with eight extra-base hits.

Kaylee Killelea, Marquette, jr.

The Crusaders’ ace is working her way back to the field after being a unanimous selection to The Times All-Area first team after hitting .425 with 17 runs scored and 18 RBIs, while also going 8-6 with a 1.68 ERA and 144 strikeouts in 83 1/3 innings pitched.

Makenzie Oslanzi, Ottawa, jr.

The next ace up for the powerhouse Pirates, Oslanzi steps into the No. 1 role after posting a 4-0 record with a 0.29 ERA over 48 innings last season (and batting .308 to boot) on her way to All-Area honorable mention.

Kaitlyn Schofield, Newark, jr.

Now an upperclassman, Schofield was a Times All-Area first-team unanimous selection last spring, hitting .455 with five homers and 30 RBIs, while also going 9-2 with a 1.17 ERA and 92 strikeouts in 65 1/3 innings pitched.

Ella Sibert, Woodland/Flanagan-Cornell, sr.

As explosive an athlete on the softball diamond as she was in earning The Times Player of the Year honors on the volleyball court, WFC’s catcher batted .342 with five home runs and 28 RBIs for the Warriors last spring.