Kevin Chlum

With the high school baseball season starting this week, here are five storylines to watch this spring in the NewsTribune area.

The La Salle-Peru baseball team has high hopes for the 2026 season as the Cavaliers return their top two pitchers from last season and have plenty of depth on the pitching staff.

The La Salle-Peru, Mendota and Amboy track and field teams competed Saturday. Results in the NewsTribune roundup.

After inexperience hurt the Hall baseball team at times last season, the Red Devils return a veteran group this season.

The St. Bede baseball team only graduated two players last spring, so the Bruins bring back a veteran roster after going 27-5.

The St. Bede softball team beat IVC in five innings, plus more results in Friday's NewsTribune roundup.

The St. Bede softball team won its season opener, plus more results in Thursday's NewsTribune roundup.

A look at the Mendota, Princeton, Bureau Valley, Earlville, Henry-Senachwine and Fieldcrest softball teams for the 2026 season.

The Putnam County softball team has a small, young roster but the Panthers "have the potential to do some really good things" with most of their starting lineup back.

The Hall softball team returns a strong core of players and adds a solid freshman class as the Red Devils look to improve this spring.

Behind a strong group of veteran players, the St. Bede softball team hopes to make another postseason run after reaching a sectional final last season.

The St. Carlos Acutis seventh grade volleyball team beat Kewanee Visitation to win a Class 1A sectional title and advance to the state tournament.

Princeton's Keighley Davis and Bureau Valley's Libby Endress were special mention IBCA All State, plus more in the NewsTribune sports briefs.

The L-P softball team hopes to make a postseason run behind strong pitching and a high-powered offense.

The L-P and Earlville softball teams lost their season openers, plus more results in Monday's NewsTribune roundup.