Antioch will take another shot at a state title, and Mundelein will try to rise to the top in the North Suburban Conference.
TOP 10 TEAMS
1. Antioch (34-2)
The Sequoits were the Class 3A state runners-up last season and bring back seven starters for another run under coach Anthony Rocco. Senior Jacey Schuler (Michigan State), one of the top players in the state, went 19-2 with 270 strikeouts and hit .541 with 63 RBIs. Versatile sophomore Jadynn Ruiz, sophomore third baseman Samantha Hillner, sophomore catcher Addison Webb, sophomore shortstop Claire Schuyler, senior first baseman Grace Green and junior infielder Taylor Clark (Rock Valley) round out a deep team that will try to take the next step and win the state title.
2. Mundelein (26-6)
The Mustangs have just three seniors but should be contenders for the North Suburban Conference title. Junior first baseman Claire Connelly, who batted .495 with 20 home runs last season, headlines a potent lineup that includes sophomore outfielder Kieley Tomas, who hit .542. The pitching staff, led by junior Sophia Zepeda and sophomore Shae Johnson, is solid.
3. Warren (26-6)
The Blue Devils have become a consistent power during Jenna Charbonneau’s tenure, winning 10 straight regional titles and making two straight supersectional appearances. The graduation of four-year starting pitcher Sydney Jackson leaves a big hole to fill, but the lineup is strong with senior shortstop Hannah Conger (Wisconsin) and junior infielder Nikki Peter.
4. Wauconda (27-10)
The Bulldogs, who have lost to Antioch in three straight sectional finals, have several experienced players returning for their annual bid to topple their Northern Lake County Conference rival. Senior infielder/pitcher Lesleigh Reimers (Mount St. Joseph), junior infielder/pitcher Ellary Nick, senior outfielder Bella Antonucci (Lake Forest College), senior infielder/pitcher Alyssa Vodicka and senior outfielder Keelin Barton are the leaders.
5. Stevenson (14-11-1)
Vera Pflugradt takes over the program as coach this season as the Patriots welcome back 11 players, including several talented hitters and a deep pitching staff. Senior infielder/outfielder Abbie Lewis (Lake Forest College), senior infielder Amanda Turofsky (Wisconsin-Whitewater), junior catcher/third baseman Sophia Becker and junior pitcher/first baseman Aubrey Jepson headline the returnees.
6. Grayslake Central (12-14)
Don’t be surprised if the Rams, who didn’t lose any players to graduation, contend in the NLCC. Senior catcher Eliza Piggott (Evansville) hit .506 with nine home runs last season. Junior shortstop Emma Andrews, junior pitcher Annie Wolff and sophomore first baseman/catcher Kate Davies are a strong core.
7. Vernon Hills (16-21)
After winning the Central Suburban North last season, the Cougars have set their sights on winning a regional title. Seven starters return. Junior second baseman Cate Pangilinan, junior catcher Katie Cir, senior first baseman/pitcher Morgan Hart, senior pitcher/infielder Samone Stevens, senior shortstop Shyanne St. Louis and junior outfielder Izzy Loiben will lead the way.
8. Libertyville (25-12)
The Wildcats lost all-staters Adriana Callahan, who moved, and Makayla Boone, who isn’t playing. But junior shortstop Zoe Kinsella is back, and sophomore pitcher Taylor Higham, who had 186 strikeouts last season, leads the staff.
9. Grant (15-16)
The Bulldogs have six players back but remain young. Speed is a strength and should help them score runs. Junior outfielder Kaylin Worley, junior outfielder Brianne Lopez and junior infielder Taylor Glover are players to watch.
10. Lake Zurich (7-16)
The Bears are aiming for a winning season with seven returning starters. Senior third baseman Morgan Lesniewicz (Loras College), senior first baseman Allison Koelper, senior catcher Maya Becich, senior center fielder Grace McConnell, senior pitcher Katarina Milutinovic, junior infielder/outfielder Isabella Vodicka and junior shortstop Kelly Selzer lead an experienced team.
25 PLAYERS TO WATCH
- Bella Antonucci, Wauconda, senior, outfielder
- Sophia Becker, Stevenson, junior, catcher/third baseman
- Cassidy Berchtold, Lakes, senior, pitcher
- Emma Carney, Carmel, senior, third baseman/catcher
- Hannah Conger, Warren, senior, shortstop
- Claire Connelly, Mundelein, junior, first baseman
- Tatum Danielewicz, Deerfield/Highland Park, senior, pitcher
- Elyse Gawerecki, Grayslake North, senior, shortstop
- Morgan Hart, Vernon Hills, senior, first baseman/pitcher
- Shae Johnson, Mundelein, sophomore, pitcher
- Zoe Kinsella, Libertyville, junior, shortstop
- Aly Krogman, Carmel, senior, shortstop/pitcher
- Morgan Lesniewicz, Lake Zurich, senior, third baseman
- Abbie Lewis, Stevenson, senior, outfielder/infielder
- Nadia McCabe, Zion-Benton, senior, infielder/pitcher
- Ellary Nick, Wauconda, junior, infielder/pitcher
- Cate Pangilinan, Vernon Hills, junior, second baseman
- Nikki Peter, Warren, junior, infielder
- Eliza Piggott, Grayslake Central, senior, catcher
- Lesleigh Reimers, Wauconda, senior, infielder/pitcher
- Jadynn Ruiz, Antioch, sophomore, infielder/outfielder
- Jacey Schuler, Antioch, senior, pitcher
- Claire Schuyler, Antioch, sophomore, shortstop
- Alyssa Vodicka, Wauconda, senior, infielder/pitcher
- Kaylin Worley, Grant, junior, outfielder
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.
