Sisters Hannah and Emily Organ had resolved that they probably were never going be softball teammates again like their days at Riverside Brookfield High School. That all changed during a whirlwind December.

Emily, an RBHS senior, verbally committed to NCAA Division I Bradley University in Peoria. That’s also the time Hannah, a 2022 RBHS graduate, finalized the difficult decision to transfer to Bradley from Miami University (Oxford, Ohio). Hannah played for the Braves this past spring.

“I think [Emily] is going to make huge contributions if she keeps working hard and I’ve obviously been playing with her for a while,” Hannah said. “I’m excited because we didn’t really think this was going to happen. It’s really exciting knowing, not only that I’ll be able to play softball with her again, but I’ll be able to share the great experience of college with her alongside me as well.”

The chance for Emily to break free actually brought them together. They visited the school together but Bradley coach Sarah Willis emphasized that she was recruiting them separately and not as “a package deal.” Willis often pulled them aside to speak to them separately.

Just like at RBHS, they should have two seasons together at Bradley.

“I did not envision this at all,” Emily said. “I was kind of set on going somewhere, my own speed, by myself, and just doing something different. At Bradley, I loved the environment and atmosphere and I loved the coaches. The thing I loved most is they’re recruiting me for me and not as Hannah’s sister. That was really eye-opening for me. They want me, not just because of Hannah. They want me to be there.”

In their final RBHS season together, the 2022 Bulldogs won a Class 4A regional, but Hannah’s pitching and playing time were significantly limited by a knee injury. 

Never undergoing surgery, Hannah gradually recovered through the right physical therapy. 

“I haven’t had a single problem with my knee since,” Hannah said. 

Her school situation, however, was not ideal. She soon realized that Miami “wasn’t the place for me, softball-wise or school-wise.” 

She placed her name in the NCAA Transfer Portal, known mostly for college football, with initial concerns that no one might show interest. But she received numerous contacts and quickly reduced her choices. Taking three visits over five days, Bradley was the last one.

“I didn’t think I was going to go to Bradley, but then my gut was like, ‘This is where you should be,’ and my gut was right,” she said. 

“It’s a great way of turning a bad situation into a fantastic one. I think I’ve grown up a lot in the past year and kind of realized that doing what’s right for me is never a bad choice. And it led me to a great program, a great school. I can’t say enough good things about that place and I’m so glad that it ended up that we’re back together.”

Emily also reduced her short list to three schools. Committing early just happened. As a result, she played varsity volleyball this past fall after taking a year off and has continued playing varsity basketball.

“Even though I am committed, I still need to keep practicing,” Emily said. “I’m just excited that it’s more of a chill senior year because I know where I’m going.” 

Hannah played six games this past spring for Bradley (15-40, 7-20 in Missouri Valley Conference). She was 1-for-5, hitting with a double in her first collegiate plate appearance. She pitched 6.1 innings over five appearances, including 3.2 in relief against Loyola and two innings with only one run allowed against Colorado State.

Emily had another All-Metro Suburban Conference season for the Bulldogs and continued travel ball with the Chicago Cheetahs under coach Paul Malito, who also coached Hannah in that age group. A shortstop for RBHS, Emily played middle infield, the corners, catcher and center field with the Cheetahs. 

Willis plans to use Emily as a utility player.

“You have to know the whole field, which can make it stressful. But it’s fun playing all over the field,” she said.

“[Last season] I was happy for Hannah. A lot of people get backlash for going into the portal. I was just proud of her for going against what other people had to say and doing it for her. For a lot of other athletes, it can be life-changing for them. I was glad she was able to take that leap.”