Glenbard South spent most of Monday’s Upstate Eight Conference softball game looking content to nibble away at Ridgewood pitching, playing small ball with timely singles and good baserunning. Until it was time for one big hit to put the game away. The result was an 11-0 win.

Naperville Central plated a run in the top of the eighth inning and pitcher Avery Miller bore down, stranding two Benet runners in the bottom of the inning as Naperville Central came away with a 4-3 victory.

Downers Grove North senior Ella Bonk, who hit a walk-off solo home run leading off the bottom of the seventh to complete Downers Grove North’s rally past Mother McAuley, is the Suburban Life Athlete of the Week in an online vote. Here is her Q&A with Sports Editor Joshua Welge.

Liv Lathen reached on a bunt with one out in the bottom of the eighth and eventually came around to score ahead of the throw on Kayla Kersting's grounder as Yorkville used little ball late to beat visiting Benet 3-2 on Friday.

Addyson Dunn and catcher Danielle Stone teamed up for a stellar day in the circle, and Dunn drove in the tying run and Stone the winning run in the bottom of the seventh as Oswego East rallied past Lemont 2-1 to stay undefeated, the program's best start since 2018.

The 2026 softball season is underway this week. Here are previews of teams from around the Suburban Life coverage area.

Wheaton North senior shortstop and Brown commit Reagan Crosthwaite, who set single-season and career records for homers and RBIs and led the Falcons to their second straight sectional final, is the 2025 Suburban Life Softball Player of the Year.

Here is the 2025 Suburban Life All-Area softball team.

Wheaton North senior shortstop Reagan Crosthwaite, who led the Falcons to their second consecutive sectional final this season, was among those named Class 4A First Team All-State by the Illinois Coaches Association in voting released this week.