While Riverside Brookfield High School senior Kennedy Holakovsky is a three-sport athlete, senior Olivia Ballon only plays one. They look forward to softball season – and being reunited – just the same.
“I just think it’s making the end of my year so much more exciting and better because I get to look forward to something after school every day,” Ballon said. “Especially since school’s winding down, I don’t have as much to do. And especially being outside, now since it’s nicer, (softball) just gives the whole day something to look forward to.”
The Bulldogs honored seven seniors, April 23, in typical fashion – another victory. RBHS defeated Larkin 10-0 in six innings at Ehlert Park in an Upstate Eight Conference crossover. Trinity Stevenson, Abby Weinert, Rosie Gonzalez, Jocelyn Hernandez and Abby Krueger are the other seniors for the Bulldogs (15-2, 5-1 in UEC East Division), who remain tied for first in the UEC East with Glenbard East (13-2, 5-1) at the halfway point after beating Ridgewood 10-4, April 21.
“(Senior Day) was emotional just walking out with my family and taking photos and kind of the realization, ‘Oh, it’s coming to an end in a month,’” Ballon said. “I really love all of the underclassmen for doing such a great job and supporting us through the whole entire day.”
Six seniors are four-year program members. Gonzalez played freshman baseball. Stevenson and Weinert have played varsity since freshman year. Ballon was promoted during her freshman season.
“(Senior Day) was nice and sunny and the underclassmen did a good job setting everything up so it was mainly more happy than sad,” said Holakovsky, now in her second varsity season. “(Our success) makes going to practice really just something that makes my day so much better after a long day of school. I get to hang out with my friends. I know that we’re pushing ourselves every day to get better and better.”
The seven seniors started along with sophomores Brailyn Nailor, Mia Melendez and winning pitcher Amelia Pytel, who threw a two-hitter with 14 strikeouts and recorded her 250th career strikeout in the first inning.
Stevenson (shortstop), Weinert (second base) and Ballon (third base) played their regular infield positions.
Holakovsky, usually the flex, was catcher in place of junior Alexis Busse. Gonzalez and Hernandez played left and right field, respectively. Krueger was the flex for Patel.
“I’m like we’re running out of room here (for seniors on the field),” joked RBHS coach Emma Jarrell. “They’re great kids. They work so hard and they’re very smart so they’re awesome to be around. It’s fun to celebrate them. They’re the heart of our team so it’s nice to have a good game for them.”
Melendez hit her 10th home run in a four-run third. Stevenson tripled and doubled and Weinert (3 RBIs) and Krueger also had two hits. Holakovsky doubled.
Holakovsky had a strong 2025 varsity debut with three home runs. The deep RBI double was the first of two left-field drives just shy of this year’s first home run.
“Very disappointing, but it’s OK,” Holakovsky said. “I think (last season) definitely helped a lot, especially going into travel, too. I just came in with better confidence because I never really had a hitting experience like I did last year.”
She also plays RBHS basketball and tennis and also travel softball in the fall with Ballon on the BRW Blast along with Krueger and Weinert.
“We’re together all the time (actually),” Ballon said.
In 2025, Ballon struggled at times with hitting but has been on a recent tear. She had a double, two singles and five RBIs against Ridgewood after her first home run in an official varsity game against Tinley Park, April 18.
“I was so excited because I wasn’t hitting the best. Once I hit it out, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh,’” Ballon said. “I just feel like I kind of got my confidence back after travel. I’ve been working and practicing and once I started to get my groove back, I had more confidence and was able to perform better.”