Here is a look at the 2026 Herald-News-area softball teams, including ballclubs from across the greater Will and Grundy county area.

Here are five storylines to watch during the 2026 softball season across The Herald-News area.

Here is a look at some of the best softball players the area had to offer in the 2025 season, the 2025 Herald-News All-Area Softball Team.

Plainfield East had five selections to the Southwest Prairie Conference squad. See who else made their respective All-Conference team here.

Behind Lydia Hammond's second shutout of the postseason, Bradley-Bourbonnais defeated Minooka 4-0 in the Class 4A Normal Community West Sectional semifinals Tuesday, June 3, 2025.

Bradley-Bourbonnais beat Minooka 4-0 in the IHSA Class 4A Normal Community West Sectional semifinals Tuesday, getting payback for a 10-0 loss to the Indians in the sectional semis last year.

Ava Lorenzatti blasted a solo homer, and Taylor Norkus twirled a one-hit shutout as Beecher topped Seneca 1-0 to claim the 2A Seneca Sectional championship.

The Beecher softball team won its third straight sectional championship with a nail-biting 1-0 win over Seneca in the Class 2A Seneca Sectional championship game Friday, May 30, 2025.

Ottawa's softball team scored three times in the bottom of the sixth to come away with a 3-1 win over Morris in the Class 3A Morris Regional and capture its third straight regional crown.