Northwest Herald softball preview: 5 players to watch in 2022

Here are five softball players to watch in the Northwest Herald area this season.

Huntley's Reese Hunkins celebrates after scoring in the fifth inning against Harlem during the Class 4A Huntley Sectional championship game on June 10, 2021. — Huntley's Reese Hunkins celebrates after scoring a run against Harlem during the Class 4A Huntley Sectional final on June 10, 2021 in Huntley. (Daryl Quitalig for Shaw Local/Daryl Quitalig for Shaw Local)

Reese Hunkins, Huntley, sr., SS

Hunkins, who is committed to Illinois, was one of the Red Raiders’ top hitters last season and helped lead Huntley to the Fox Valley Conference championship and a Class 4A state third-place finish. The shortstop hit .393 with a .433 on-base percentage, 1.040 slugging percentage and drove in 33 runs, scored 26 and had 15 extra-base hits. Hunkins was a Northwest Herald All-Area second-team selection last year.

Johnsburg shortstop Brooke Klosowicz (3) makes a diving catch in the second inning of the game at Richmond-Burton High School on Monday, May 24, 2021, in Richmond, Ill. The Skyhawks won, 7-1, and stay undefeated in KRC at 7-0. — Johnsburg's Brooke Klosowicz makes a diving catch against Richmond-Burton on May 24, 2021 in Richmond. (Daryl Quitalig for Shaw Local/Daryl Quitalig for Shaw Local)

Brooke Klosowicz, Johnsburg, jr., SS

Klosowicz hit .506 and led the Skyhawks in hits (40), home runs (11) and doubles (10), to go with 26 RBIs and 23 runs. The Johnsburg shortstop enters her third season on varsity. Klosowicz, who is committed to Penn State, was an All-Area first-team pick as a sophomore.

Johnsburg pitcher Addison Mass (5) looks toward Avery Maleug (7) as they huddle for a talk in the third inning of the game at Richmond-Burton High School on Monday, May 24, 2021, in Richmond, Ill. The Skyhawks won, 7-1, and stay undefeated in KRC at 7-0. — Johnsburg's Addison Mass (center) huddles with teammates during their game against Richmond-Burton on May 24, 2021 in Richmond. (Daryl Quitalig for Shaw Local/Daryl Quitalig for Shaw Local)

Addison Mass, Johnsburg, sr., P

Mass helped lead the Skyhawks to the co-Kishwaukee River Conference championship, going 11-3 with a 1.94 ERA and 169 strikeouts over 115 1/3 innings. She also was one of the team’s most productive hitters, hitting .403 with 22 runs, 16 RBIs and and 11 extra-base hits, including eight doubles. Mass, who will play next year at D-II Charleston in West Virginia, was an All-Area first-team pick last spring.

Huntley's Katie Mitchell (12) looks to home plate after stealing second base in the fifth inning of the game at Harry D. Jacobs High School, Algonquin, Ill., on Tuesday, June 8, 2021. The Red Raiders won, 11-0 through 6 innings, and will host Harlem Thursday, June 10, in the Sectional Championship. — Huntley's Katie Mitchell looks to home plate after stealing second base against Jacobs on June 8, 2021 in Algonquin. (Daryl Quitalig for Shaw Local/Daryl Quitalig for Shaw Local)

Katie Mitchell, Huntley, jr., OF

Mitchell had a fantastic high school debut after missing her freshman year because of the pandemic. The speedy outfielder led the FVC champs with a .482 batting average, .530 on-base percentage, 66 hits, 50 runs and 40 steals. Mitchell, who is committed to Loyola, was an All-Area first-team selection last season.

Crystal Lake South's Alexis Pupillo gets a high-five from teammate Molly Cook after scoring against Woodstock North during their IHSA Class 3A Softball regional championship at Crystal Lake South High School on Thursday, June 3, 2021 in Crystal Lake. Crystal Lake South won 8-0 through 7 innings of play. — IHSA Class 3A Softball Regionals: WSN @ CLS Crystal Lake South's Alexis Pupillo gets a high-five after scoring against Woodstock North on June 3, 2021 in Crystal Lake. (Matthew Apgar/Matthew Apgar)

Alexis Pupillo, Crystal Lake South, sr., C-3B

Pupillo was one of the area’s most feared hitters and led the Gators in batting average (.594), on-base percentage (.687), slugging percentage (1.422), home runs (13), doubles (10), triples (2), RBIs (37) and runs (46) in only 21 games. Pupillo, who will play next year at Northern Iowa, was an All-Area first-team pick last spring.