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.

The Bureau Valley Storm are going to need Mallory Maubach to have a good season in the circle if they’re going to be successful this year. And she was good Monday. The junior hurler tossed a 3-hit shutout, pitching the Storm to a 4-0 win over Hall in Monday's 2026 season opener.

Beginning around 4 p.m. Tuesday night, the Illinois Valley has high potential for severe scattered thunderstorms with damaging hail and wind, and torrential rainfall that could cause flash floods.

A program, “Early Pioneers of La Salle,” will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 11 at Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center.

IVCC softball coach Cory Tomasson said the Eagles have "tremendous potential" with five returning sophomores combined with a talented freshmen class.

The La Salle County Emergency Management Agency has cancelled the severe weather spotter training scheduled for Tuesday, March 10 at Illinois Valley Community College.

A small fire erupted Sunday night at the Root Beer Stand in Oglesby; but the owner said she put it out with a fire extinguisher and Oglesby firefighters weren’t summoned.

With softball season kicking off this week in Illinois, here are five storylines to watch in the NewsTribune-area this spring.