With a lineup of five sophomores, the Oak Park and River Forest High School softball team didn’t have much fanfare at the start of last season.
But the Huskies went 31-8, won the West Suburban Silver title, and finished third in the IHSA Class 4A state tournament. And with several key returnees, expectations are high this spring for another strong season.
“Third place from last year was great,” said OPRF coach J.P. Coughlin, entering his third season. “But this group is hungry, and we’re looking for bigger and better things this year.”
OPRF returns 13 players, including junior shortstop Elyssa Hasapis. Hasapis had a sensational sophomore season, hitting .538 with 14 home runs and 45 RBI while garnering All-Conference and All-State First Team honors.
Senior catcher Tyler Brock is a two-time All-Conference selection and made the All-State Second Team. Last year, the Lake County College commit allowed just two stolen bases and picked off more than 20 baserunners for the second consecutive season. Senior second baseman Rachel Buchta was All-Conference and a Third Team All-Stater (.375, 25 RBI).
Other top returning Huskies are juniors Maura Carmody (All-Conference, 6 HR), Gloria Hronek, Julia Mattice, and Anna Topel; and seniors Jordan Alioto, Macy Callahan, and Aria Hammerschmidt.
“Returning this many players, that’s pretty awesome,” Coughlin said. “We had one of the youngest teams in the state last year, but this year I think we’re one of the more experienced.”
Seniors Audrey Dumelle, Lilly Menconi, and Kennedy Ross also return for OPRF. Newcomers to keep an eye on are sophomore Georgia Godellas; juniors Sofia Ayala and Molly Chambers; and senior Alex Kahn.
Oak Park-River Forest infielder Gloria Hronek prepares to throw from third base during softball practice. Hronek is one of 13 returnees from last year’s team that placed third at the IHSA Class 4A state tournament. 
Oak Park-River Forest pitcher Audrey Dumelle warms up during softball practice. Dumelle is one of 13 returnees from last year’s team that placed third in the IHSA Class 4A state tournament. 
Oak Park-River Forest outfielder Sofia Ayala makes a scooping catch during softball practice. 
Oak Park-River Forest outfielder Macy Callahan makes a catch during softball practice. Callahan is one of 13 returnees from last year’s team which placed third in the IHSA Class 4A state tournament.
The Huskies do need to replace Bella Morales, last season’s ace in the circle. But Coughlin expects that to be a team effort, with Alioto (who allowed just one hit in 7 innings of relief in last year’s Class 4A third-place game), Chambers, Dumelle, Hammerschmidt, Kahn, and Topel all capable.
“Aria pitched a lot as a sophomore but couldn’t get into a rhythm last year because of her injuries,” Coughlin said. “This year, she’s healthy.”
Unlike last year, OPRF expects to get every opponent’s best shot this season, and Coughlin has put together a challenging schedule. Highlights include a home game against defending Class 4A champion Marist March 21; the annual spring break trip to Pigeon Forge, TN; a home quad on April 6 featuring Fremd, Lockport, and Wheaton North; and a crosstown showdown with Fenwick May 16.
Repeating as WSC Silver champs won’t be easy for the Huskies. Downers Grove North has a pair of pitchers who are signed with NCAA Division I schools; Lyons Township has a vast number of returnees. York is a perennial contender.
“We snuck up on a lot of teams last year, but that’s not happening again,” Coughlin said. “We’ve got our work cut out.”
Coughlin added that OPRF will take the same approach as last year, which emphasizes daily self-improvement. He said he felt that helped the Huskies.
“We don’t spend a lot of time talking about goals,” he said. “We just need to keep working and striving to be better as individuals and keep a true team culture. I strongly believe that we have the ability to end this year even better than last year.”