With the first official day of spring taking place this week, the local high school softball season is in full swing. Here’s a preview for OPRF, Fenwick, and Trinity high schools:
OPRF
Head Coach: J.P. Coughlin (fourth season)
Last Season: 28-9 (10-2 in West Suburban Silver, second place); lost in Class 4A sectional final.
Top Returning Players: OF Maura Carmody, SR (2024 4A All-State Second Team; .473 batting average, 2 HR, 32 RBI, 30 runs scored; Dayton commit); SS Elyssa Hasapis, SR (two-time All-Stater; St. Joseph’s commit; .407, 8 HR, 29 RBI, 52 R); 3B Gloria Hronek, SR (All-WSC Silver; Carleton commit; .333, HR, 9 RBI, 24 R); C Julia Mattiace, SR (All-WSC Silver; MIT commit; .398, 10 HR, 46 RBI, 19 R); P/1B Anna Topel (All-State Second Team; Babson commit; .308, 6 HR, 32 RBI, 26 R; 14-4, 2.00 earned-run average, 105 strikeouts).
Other returnees: OF Sofia Ayala, SR (.329, 15 RBI, 19 R); P Molly Chambers, SR (2-0, 3.38 ERA); 2B Georgia Godellas, JR (.361, 10 RBI, 21 R).
Top newcomers: OF/C Leia Hammerschmidt, JR; IF Julia Henderson, JR; P Carolyn Rainey, JR; OF/C Charlie Terry, FR; 1B/OF Harper Travis, FR.
Outlook: The Huskies, third in Class 4A in 2023, are eager for a return trip downstate.
“Expectations are high, really high,” Coughlin said. “I don’t think they’ll bother us, but like any season, adversity hits; how do we respond to that? We’re good now but are only scratching the surface for how good we can be. This team wants to end the year in Peoria and embraces the challenges ahead.”
Season opener: March 18 vs. Maine South (after deadline)
Fenwick
Head Coach: Valerie Jisa (second season)
Last Season: 18-9 (7-5 in Girls Catholic Athletic Conference Red); third place in Class 3A tournament.
Top returning players: C Caity Barganski, SR; SS Bella Bigham, SO; LF Kailey Janda, SR (.351); OF Sophia Leonardi, JR; P/OF Leah Lowery, SR (.413, All-GCAC Red, Class 3A All-State Second Team); 1B Molly Mullen, SR; Utility/P Gianna Pescatore, JR (.310); CF Gabriella Simon, SR (.440, 17 stolen bases, All-GCAC Red, Class 3A All-State First Team).
Other returning players: Alex Purta, Utility, SO.
Top newcomers: Utility Marge Price, JR; C/OF Ellie Brady, FR; P Sophia Kaleeb, FR.
Outlook: After a surprising run to the IHSA Class 3A third-place trophy – the program’s best state finish, the Friars are equipped for another extended run with eight returning starters.
“We’re very excited to see what these talented student-athletes will do this season,” Jisa said. “We’re cautiously optimistic, and we’re looking forward to seeing how they will grow individually and together as one unit.
“Our keys to a successful season are keeping the bigger picture mentality and goals of the collective. Being able to get in sync with one another to find a good rhythm for our team to rely on and being productive at the plate and on the bases will be vital.”
Season opener: March 19 vs. Amundsen, 4:30 at Fenwick Priory
Trinity
Head Coach: Chardonnay Harris (second season)
Last Season: 5-18 (2-10 in GCAC White)
Top Returning Players: OF Soleila Arroyo, SO; UTL Aly Lopez, SO; C/1B Elizabeth Miehlich, SR; C/3B Maddie Trendel, SO; P/1B Abby Young, SO.
Top newcomers: OF Nya Bouldin, FR; OF Nyana Bouldin, FR; INF/OF D’Asya Collins, JR; P/OF Gisella Corral, FR; 2B/OF Quinley Costello, FR; OF Alejandra Reyes, SO; OF Dayanara Tafolla, FR; 2B/SS Liv Trendel, FR.
Outlook: Last year was filled with growing pains for Trinity, which had a youth-infused roster. This year, the Blazers are again young with just one senior in Miehlich. But that has not dampened the enthusiasm of Harris, a former star pitcher at OPRF, as she rebuilds the program.
“It feels good to be back for a second season,” she said. “To watch the returners come back holding the same standards and surpass them by teaching the newcomers, it’s been nothing but positivity.
“I believe if we’re able to pull closer as a team when times get hard, togetherness is going to give us a better chance this season. Building intentional team chemistry in a special way is going to be more of a priority, 100 percent … I have a good feeling this season is going to push us one step closer to where we need to be as a team and program.”
Season opener: at Montini Catholic, March 18 (after deadline)