Daily Chronicle 2022 softball preview: Team-by-team previews

DeKalb Barbs

Coach: Haley Albamonte

Last year’s record: 2-16 (lost to Harlem, 6-1, in Class 4A regional final)

Top returners: Emma Friedland, sr., C/3B; Abby Stoffa, jr., C/1B; Megan Gates, jr., 2B/OF; Lauren Gates, jr., CF/SS; Jaelin Latimer, jr., P

Key newcomers: Ayla Gould, fr., P/util.; Hazel Montavon, fr., SS

Worth noting: Albamonte said this year’s team has meshed quickly, and the players are willing to learn and step outside of their comfort zones. That flexibility is helping the team, she said, as everyone is working hard. Last year, the team struggled in its first DuPage Valley Conference season, although Albamonte said the team was competitive in most of its conference games and hopes to build off that this year. Gould should come in and provide pitching depth behind Latimer.

Sycamore pitcher Becca Allen delivers in the seventh inning against Belvidere in the Spartans' 11-7 win on Thursday, June 3, 2021.

Sycamore Spartans

Coach: Jill Carpenter

Last year’s record: 14-15 (Lost to Sterling, 7-0, in a Class 3A sectional semifinal)

Top returners: Paige Collie, sr., 1B/3B; Tia Durst, jr., util.; Brooklynn Snodgrass, jr., C/OF

Key newcomers: Addie Mclaughlin, fresh., OF

Worth noting: After a 2-11 start to last year, the Spartans turned red hot and ended up winning a regional. Collie was a big part of that, blasting 13 home runs in her first varsity season, becoming both the single-season and career home run leader for the Spartans. Carpenter said she expects the Spartans will continue to rake this year. “We may give up five or six runs a game, but hopefully we can score six or seven,” she said. “It’s a scary place to be, but we like our defense.”

Kaneland's Olivia Stoker steals a home run off the bat of a Sterling player last season. (Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@shawmedia.com)

Kaneland Knights

Coach: Mike Kuefler (Monday)

Last year’s record: 19-6 (lost to Sterling, 5-0, in a Class 3A sectional final)

Top returners: Olivia Stoker, sr., CF: Grace Algrim, sr., P

Key newcomers: None

Worth noting: The Knights lost a lot of talent from last year, including reigning Player of the Year Rose Roach and all-area first-teamers Olivia Ortegel and McKenna Ryan. But Algrim spent a bunch of time in the circle, splitting with Ryan, and was 11-1 with a 1.14 ERA. Stoker hit .430, belted two homers, drove in 20 runs and had a 1.033 OPS.

G-K Logan Neblock catches a ball for an out against Rock Falls in a game last year. (Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@shawmedia.com)

Genoa-Kingston Cogs

Coach: Erica Swan

Last year’s record: 7-8 (lost to North Boone, 11-3, in a Class 2A regional semifinal)

Top returners: Logan Neblock, sr., 1B/3B/OF; Carly Kline, sr., util.; Christine Venditti, jr., C/3B; Violet Northrup, jr., OF/2B/SS; Kiki Mitchell, so., P/1B; Emily Tryznka, jr., P/util

Key newcomers: None

Worth noting: Swan said Neblock and Kline are a pair of great lead-by-example players who are four-year starters – or at least would have been had COVID-19 protocols not wiped out the 2020 season. The team is loaded with experience with most key contributors at least getting some varsity time last year.

Indian Creek's Emily Frazier catches a fly ball in left field during their game last season at Hiawatha High School in Kirkland. (Mark Busch - mbusch@shawmedia.com/Mark Busch - mbusch@shawmedia.co)

Indian Creek Timberwolves

Coach: Nancy Johanningsmeier

Last year’s record: 2-12 (lost to Earlville, 5-3, in a Class 1A regional play-in game)

Top returners: Amelia Konen, sr., C; Brooke Probst, sr., util.; Madie DeLatorre, sr, OF; Emily Frazier, so., IF

Key newcomers: Avery Boehne, fr., P/util.; Libby Johnson, fr., C/util.; Allie Peterson, fr., 1B/util

Worth noting: Johanningsmeier said the early part of the season will be about seeing who can play where. The team has a lot of flexibility and will need it to work around Probst’s track schedule – she splits time between the two sports. Johanningsmeier said she is excited for the season and the high turnout – the Timberwolves will have a JV squad for the first time since at least 2015, she said.

Somonauk/Hinckley-Big Rock co-op

Coach: Hannah Bazan

Last year’s record: N/A

Top returners: Maddie Schubbe, sr., P/3B/1B; Haley Morris, sr., OF

Key newcomers: Felicity Thornton, sr., C; Bre VerCautren, fr., P; Morgan Potter, so., P

Worth noting: Bazan and the Bobcats have a task ahead of them, one the first-year coach said she’s excited for: melding three programs that haven’t fielded a team since 2019. The roster features 11 players from H-BR, six from Somonauk and one Leland player. Schubbe (H-BR) and Morris (Somonauk) played for their respective programs as freshmen.

Hiawatha's Calli Schell hustles around third on her way to scoring during their game against Indian Creek last year at Hiawatha High School in Kirkland. (Mark Busch - mbusch@shawmedia.com/Mark Busch - mbusch@shawmedia.co)

Hiawatha Hawks

Coach: Mark Rush

Last year’s record: 7-12 (lost to Durand, 3-1, in a Class 1A regional final)

Top returners: Callie Schell, sr., CF; Meghan Rush, sr., SS; Crystal Haack, jr., C; Brianna Block, sr., P; Naomi Langley, sr., util.

Key newcomers: Madison Krumwiedi, fr., OF; Nelly Delvalle, fr., OF

Worth noting: Rush came into the program within the past couple of weeks. He inherits a team that loses its top pitcher from last year – and the past four years – Brooke Braden, a Daily Chronicle first-team selection. But Rush said Block has added some zip to her fastball and is ready to shoulder the load in the circle.

• Kaneland coach Mike Kuefler did not return messages left seeking comment.