The 2026 Streator High softball team doesn't have any seniors, but they do show a lot of encouraging signs for both the now and the future of the program as the spring season gets underway.

A team-by-team 2026 season preview for softball teams across The Times coverage area, including Newark, Serena, Earlville, Somonauk/Leland, WFC, Dwight, Fieldcrest and Sandwich.

The Princeton pep band has been one of the best kept secrets in north central Illinois. The secret will be out Thursday. Steven Olson’s band has been selected to play during the Class 1A and 2A semifinal games on Thursday at the State Farm Center.

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.

The Bureau Valley Storm had a record-breaking baseball season on the diamond last year, finishing with 22 wins. While the Storm lost a strong senior core, ninth-year Storm skipper Ryan Schisler believes the Storm have the makeup for continued success.

In an area loaded with softball talent and as the season gets underway, here are our picks for five players to watch across The Times coverage area.

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 Marquette softball team will be young but returns a number of players with experience that will be looking to build off a 26-win, Class 1A regional championship season a year ago.

The TigerTown Tanglers have qualified eight wrestlers for the IKWF State Tournament this weekend in Peoria, including three first-time qualifiers.