The Marengo softball team traveled to Sycamore Friday afternoon to take on the Spartans in a nonconference matchup.

Crystal Lake Central senior pitcher Makayla Malone struck out a career-high 17 batters in a 2-1, eight-inning win against Marian Central on April 3. Malone was voted the Northwest Herald Athlete of the Week by readers.

Burlington Central junior Isabelle Reed struck out 14 in six innings, and the Rockets' offense heated up in a 14-0 Fox Valley Conference victory over Crystal Lake South on Thursday.

Crystal Lake Central sophomore pitcher Oli Victorine returned from an ankle injury to shut down Huntley 3-0, while the Tigers received timely hitting to knock off the four-time defending Fox Valley Conference champs.

Crystal Lake Central faces Huntleyin Fox Valley Conference softball game on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at Huntley High School.

A look back at the last week in sports in the Northwest Herald by photographers Gregory Shaver, and Patrick Kunzer for the Shaw Local News Network

Crystal Lake Central senior pitcher Makayla Malone struck out a career-high 17 batters, outdueling Marian Central's Christine Chmiel in a 2-1, eight-inning win for the Tigers on Thursday.

Johnsburg faces Marian Central in nonconference softball game on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at Bates Park in Woodstock.

Marengo senior pitcher Jozsa Christiansen worked around early trouble against Antioch and hit her first home run of the season as the Indians topped last year's Class 3A state runner-up 12-2 in six innings Monday.

Antioch faces Marengo in a nonconference softball game on Monday, March 31, 2025, at Marengo High School.

Marengo faces North Boone in a nonconference softball game on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at Marengo High School.

Prairie Ridge faces Richmond-Burton in a nonconference softball game on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at Richmond-Burton High School.

The softball season gets underway next week. Here are five players to watch in the Northwest Herald area for the 2025 season.

The softball season begins Monday. Check out our team-by-team preview with top returners, newcomers and info on each local team in the Northwest Herald area for the 2025 season.

The Northwest Herald softball preview will appear in print March 14 with info on each local team. Until then, here are five storylines to watch in McHenry County for the 2025 season.