Tony Baranek’s top 10 softball teams and 25 players to watch in the Southland for the 2024 season

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Marist, the reigning Class 4A state champion, returns with a star-studded lineup. But watch out for Lincoln-Way Central, Lockport and Lemont.

Top 10 Teams

1. Marist (37-2)

Defending Class 4A state champion RedHawks probably won’t come close to state-record 93 home runs they hit in 2023. However, they do return plenty of offense. Senior outfielder Camryn Lyons (Boston) and senior infielder/catcher Caroline O’Brien (Notre Dame) were .500-plus hitters, while junior infielder Gabi Novickas (Georgia), junior outfielder Bree Hanik (Penn State) and junior pitcher Gianna Hillegonds (Bradley) complete nucleus.

2. Lincoln-Way Central (27-7)

Knights have one of the most experienced batteries in the state with junior power pitcher Bella Dimitrijevic (Florida State) and senior catcher Lucy Cameron (Wofford). Both have been starters since their freshman seasons. Senior leaders include outfielder Kendall Pearson (Roosevelt), and infielders Josephine Jager (Indianapolis) and Alexis Youngren (Penn).

3. Lockport (31-8)

Commits across the country abound from team that won a Class 4A sectional title last season. It starts with junior pitcher Kelcie McGraw (Colgate), senior catcher Brooke Keltner (Northern Kentucky) and senior outfielder Giuliana Giordano (Purdue Northwest). Infield is covered by seniors Morgan Spodarek (McKendree), Alyssa Schaffer (Missouri Baptist), Sarah Viar (McKendree), Ava Swain (Wisconsin Parkside) and Ava Kaspar (Roosevelt).

4. Lemont (35-1)

Replacing such a dominant pitcher in Sage Mardjetko, now at South Carolina, will be daunting task. Back-to-back Class 3A state champions have four pitchers who will try to do so, including senior Rhea Mardjetko (Illinois Wesleyan), Sage’s sister. A triple threat on offense returns with senior infielders Raegan Duncan (SIU Edwardsville) and Avaree Taylor (Truman State) and junior infielder Natalie Pacyga (Western Illinois).

5. Beecher (36-5)

Class 2A runner-ups should be state contenders for a while, with ace pitcher Ava Lorenzatti entering her sophomore season. Bobcats also go five deep in other returnees behind senior catcher Emma Tiltges, junior outfielder Tayiah Scanlan, junior infielder Ava Olson, sophomore outfielder Makenzie Johnson and sophomore infielder Elena Kvasnicka.

6. Lincoln-Way East (27-5)

Senior outfielder Averi Vander Woude (Loyola) leads Griffins both with her bat and speed. Last season, she was among Southland’s leading base stealers. Sophomore infielder Maddie Henry has rocket arm from left side, while sophomore infielder Mackenzie Bacha consistently hits gaps.

7. Providence (18-13)

Best of the best return for Celtics, including all three pitchers and four of their top five hitters. Infielder/pitcher Abby Johnson (Loyola) is a four-year starter, while sophomore infielder/outfielder Angelina Cole hit a whopping .562 as a freshman. Outfielder/pitcher Grace Golebiowski, infielder Sophia Thormeyer (UMass) and pitcher/infielder Kailee O’Sullivan add senior leadership.

8. Richards (21-11)

Bulldogs have excellent one-two pitching combo in senior Bridget Walsh (Benedictine) and sophomore Emily Chavosky. With Walsh injured, Chavosky pitched Richards to a Class 3A sectional title in 2023. Others to watch from 13 returnees include senior infielder/outfielder Violet McIntyre, senior infielder/outfielder Meghan Wirtz, junior infielder Olivia Coglianese and junior outfielder Natalie Hajer.

9. Andrew (24-9)

Infielder MaTaia Lawson (Texas) emerged as one of state’s top sophomores last season. She’s an all-around standout with powerful bat, speed and defense. Two senior leaders will be infielder Maddie Hanik (Spring Hill) and catcher Madison Vrastil (Valparaiso).

10. Shepard (22-8)

Astros are loaded with experience, including senior infielders Sarah Kreamalmeyer and Brooklynn Sedlak, junior catcher Madison Scapardine and junior outfielder Londynn Sedlak. Look for junior pitcher Kailey Selvage to have breakout season.

John Smierciak / Daily Southtown

Lincoln-Way Central’s Bella Dimitrijevic gets ready to deliver a pitch against Providence during a nonconference game in New Lenox on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. (John Smierciak / Daily Southtown)

The 25 Players to Watch

  • Kaitlyn Berkery, Oak Lawn, junior, infielder/pitcher.
  • Emily Chavosky, Richards, sophomore, pitcher.
  • Angelina Cole, Providence, sophomore, outfielder/infielder.
  • Mia Delisi, Oak Forest, senior, infielder/outfielder.
  • Bella Dimitrijevic, Lincoln-Way Central, junior, pitcher.
  • Raegan Duncan, Lemont, senior, infielder.
  • Wrigley Fanter, Joliet Catholic, senior, catcher.
  • Maddie Hanik, Andrew, senior, infielder.
  • Maddie Henry, Lincoln-Way East, sophomore, infielder.
  • Gianna Hillegonds, Marist, junior, pitcher.
  • Josephine Jager, Lincoln-Way Central, senior, infielder.
  • Brooke Keltner, Lockport, senior, catcher.
  • MaTaia Lawson, Andrew, junior, infielder.
  • Ava Lorenzatti, Beecher, sophomore, pitcher.
  • Camryn Lyons, Marist, senior, outfielder.
  • Kelcie McGraw, Lockport, junior, pitcher.
  • Gabi Novickas, Marist, junior, infielder.
  • Caroline O’Brien, Marist, senior, infielder/catcher.
  • Jordan Ogean, St. Laurence, junior, infielder.
  • Megan Piotrowski, Tinley Park, junior, outfielder.
  • Reese Rourke, Lincoln-Way West, sophomore, infielder/pitcher.
  • Brooklynn Sedlak, Shepard, senior, infielder.
  • Avaree Taylor, Lemont, senior, infielder.
  • Kailey Van Es, Illinois Lutheran, pitcher/outfielder.
  • Sarah Viar, Lockport, senior, infielder.

Tony Baranek is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.

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