Before playing at nationals with her traveling softball team, pitcher Eli Favela had some District 9 history to make with her North Riverside softball 11-and-under all-star teammates, Thursday.
North Riverside defeated La Grange 14-2 in four innings at Veterans Park in North Riverside for what is believed to be the program’s first softball district title since 2018 for any age level.
“I think we really deserved it because we put in the hard work for it. This is actually great for me [as an achievement],” Favela said. “I’m always going to remember how it felt pitching in this game. It was kind of nerve-wracking, but it was also fun while doing it.”
North Riverside players are Lailah Farias, Favela, Ellie Hooper, Audrey Jamriska, Gigi Limonez, Willow Merrill, Maecie Mitchell, Anamarie Modugno, Grace Runquist, Isabella Sanchez and Scarlett Santos. They are coached by manager Willie Merrill and assistants Jessie Favela and Abby Favela.
Favela threw her second no-hitter in the three district victories, Thursday, with four strikeouts, two walks and one earned run. She then joined the Chicago Prospects for the 9-and-under U.S. Sports Specialty Association Midwest National Championships in Des Moines, Iowa.
“It’s good to bring some energy [to nationals]. I’m hoping to win that, too, but I think it’s just nice that we won something,” Favela said.
North Riverside outscored La Grange and Riverside by a combined 37-8 in the three-team, double-elimination district even with a young roster that played about 30 games together, including at the Majors level. Because of a lack of players, North Riverside had to withdraw from this past weekend’s state tournament in Peru. However, several players could contribute to a repeat next season.
“We only have four 11s so we’re a young team,” Willie Merrill said.
“It’s been a long time. It’s a little surreal. I was definitely nervous [Thursday] but the girls played really well. The defense was on point, the pitching was top-notch as always. Very proud of them.”
North Riverside opened by beating Riverside 12-5, July 7, and beat La Grange 11-1 in four innings, July 8, in Favela’s first no-hitter. La Grange beat Riverside 7-5, July 9, to reach the championship series and would have needed to beat North Riverside twice.
“I would put [this accomplishment] at the highest,” first baseman Willow Merrill said. “I think we did well hitting and making our plays [overall]. We felt like we had an offensive team going into the tournament.”
North Riverside’s pitcher Eli Favela (6) delivers a pitch against LaGrange during the Illinois 9-11 Softball District 9 championship game Thursday, July 10, 2025 in North Riverside, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
North Riverside’s players celebrate their victory over LaGrange during the Illinois 9-11 Softball District 9 championship game Thursday, July 10, 2025 in North Riverside, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
North Riverside’s short stop Audrey Jamriska (7) covers second base to tag out LaGrange’s Anna Grogan (16) during the Illinois 9-11 Softball District 9 championship game Thursday, July 10, 2025 in North Riverside, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
North Riverside’s first baseman Willow Merrill (10) fields the ball and throws to second baseman Grace Runquist (23) for the out at first against LaGrange during the Illinois 9-11 Softball District 9 championship game Thursday, July 10, 2025 in North Riverside, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
North Riverside’s Ellie Hooper (44) connects for a hit against LaGrange during the Illinois 9-11 Softball District 9 championship game Thursday, July 10, 2025 in North Riverside, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
North Riverside’s Lailah Farias (0) slides in ahead of the ball to give her team an early 1-0 lead over LaGrange during the Illinois 9-11 Softball District 9 championship game Thursday, July 10, 2025 in North Riverside, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark)
For the three games combined, leadoff hitter Farias had four hits with two doubles, Limonez and Mitchell had three hits, and Favela (home run in first La Grange game), Jamriska (double), Runquist and Cooper had two. Farias added four runs batted in and six runs scored and Favela had six runs and six walks.
North Riverside combined that with Favela’s pitching and just one error defensively. Most of the runs surrendered came in Riverside’s five-run fifth after North Riverside already led 11-0.
Thursday’s defensive highlights included Merrill (5 putouts, 2 assists), second baseman Runquist (2 putouts), shortstop Jamriska (putout, 2 assists) and catcher Farias, who threw to Jamriska to tag out a runner trying to steal second base in the third.
“Besides winning a championship, I feel like we’re going to succeed more,” Jamriska said. “I feel like the people with more experience could help other people and help to succeed more and come together as a group.”
In 14 innings pitched, Favela allowed just one hit with 25 strikeouts, 12 walks and four earned runs – even with the mound being a further distance than her 9U games. Willie Merrill said two other pitchers were ready if needed Thursday, but Favela allowed just three baserunners on two walks and a hit batter.
“It just so happened she was doing really well on the mound and you try not to mess with how well she was doing,” Willie Merrill said.
“I felt like I had pressure, but I’m glad I could do it,” Favela said. “I haven’t thrown this distance in a pretty long time, but I did it and it felt good.”
