The Riverside Brookfield High School softball team has plenty of pitchers this season. What’s even better is they can play many other positions, too.
“We’re very versatile. We have a lot of girls who can play a bunch of different positions,” first-year RBHS head coach Emma Jarrell said. “We have five different pitchers on varsity, which is rare. But all of them can play other positions, too, and they all can hit. We have a lot of options.”
The Bulldogs return two 2024 All-Metro Suburban Conference players – senior third baseman Ellie Megall and junior pitcher/first and third baseman Trinity Stevenson. Already a three-time all-conference selection, Megall will play Division I softball at Northern Kentucky. Senior second baseman Ella Jurgens, junior pitcher/first baseman/outfielder Abby Weinert and sophomore pitcher/outfielder Reese Milchhoefer also are returning starters.
The 2024 Bulldogs were 21-11 and won their final MSC season with a 5-1 record. They lost to Downers Grove South 10-5 in the Class 4A Downers South Regional final. The Bulldogs are now part of the Upstate Eight Conference. A longtime assistant, Jarrell also has become head coach. Former head coach Doug Schultz is her assistant coach.
“Doug and I work really well together so it kind of feels the same [so far],” Jarrell said.
Megall has started since freshman year and Stevenson and Weinert are third-year starters. Megall batted .424 in 2024 with 29 runs batted in, 28 runs and seven doubles after other strong seasons in 2023 (.415, 31 RBIs, 7 doubles) and 2022 (.388, 20 RBIs, 9 doubles).
Stevenson was the top pitcher last season, collecting 56 strikeouts in 58 innings, and also batted .344 with 21 RBIs, a home run and eight doubles.
Weinert (.342, HR, 18 RBIs) was the winning pitcher and Jurgens (.253, 2 HR, 14 RBIs) homered in the 13-12 regional semifinal victory over Reavis. Milchhoefer (9 RBIs) rotated between outfield and pitcher.
Junior infielder Olivia Balon (9 RBIs, 5 doubles) and senior outfielder/first baseman Abbey Tyler also return. Senior Bella Perez missed last season with a torn ACL. Junior infielder and outfielder Abigail Krueger pitched some varsity as a freshman. Newcomers are junior Kennedy Holakovsky and sophomore Alexis Busse, both catchers from the junior varsity, and three freshmen – pitcher/first and senior baseman Mia Melendez, outfielder Brailyn Naylor and pitcher/infielder/outfielder Amelia Pytel.
“[Our key is] just a good rotation with our pitchers and figuring out what works best,” Jarrell said. “[Also] having positive mindsets because we might have different lineups depending on who’s pitching. And the returners helping the newcomers feel comfortable and confident.”
While the Bulldogs’ pitching experience and depth has improved, they graduated two of the program’s greatest hitters, Zoe Levine (DePaul) and Emily Organ (Bradley), who both already are enjoying college softball success.
“I think we’re still going to be able to put up big numbers,” Jarrell said. “We’re excited about our newcomers being able to hit, and all of our pitchers are very good hitters. We’ll find a spot for them to play when they’re not pitching.”
LTHS softball
In her first two seasons as a starter, junior shortstop Ava Jacklin has contributed to the Lyons Township softball team playing its best at the end of the season. With nine returning starters, the Lions already are beginning at a high level.
“We ended last season on a good note. We played well on the road to reach the regional final,” Jacklin said. “Considering this, we have high expectations. This year, we are striving to be regional champs and hopefully go further.”
The Lions finished 15-16-1 last season and reached the Class 4A Morton Regional final before losing 10-3 to state runner-up Marist. Under then first-year coach Megan Quinn, the 2023 Lions won a second straight regional title and finished 10-19 after a 1-9 start. Senior pitcher/first baseman Isabella Evans earned 2024 All-West Suburban Conference Silver honors in a triumphant return from being injured as a sophomore. Jacklin moved to shortstop from second base her freshman year.
“I have set more goals for myself to help contribute to the team,” Jacklin said. “I know what I am capable of and ready to continue helping the team where they need me.”
Other returning starters are senior outfielders Lucy Dreher and Maddie McLane, juniors Avery Hicks (third base), Maddy Pieroni (third base/designated player) and Lucy Lee (pitcher) and sophomores Julia Ahrens (catcher/second base) and Mary Sandman (first base/designated player).
“We are returning several starters so defense is going to be where we are strongest,” Quinn said. “[Our goals are] to have a winning record, finish as a top team in our conference and win a regional.”
Key newcomers include sophomore pitcher/first baseman Caylee Wagner and freshman catcher Alice Bruckner. Other newcomers are seniors Ellie Cook and Rachel Hitzeman and juniors Paxton Cutler, Mia Jovicic and Lyla Replin.
“Maintaining a positive environment throughout the entire program and keeping all of our players healthy [are keys for us],” Quinn said.
The Lions tied for third in the Silver with York with 6-6 records and beat the Dukes 6-5 in the regional semifinals. Evans was the winning pitcher and homered against the Dukes and Marist.
“It’s key that our team keeps up the positive energy and perseveres in difficult situations,” Jacklin said. “It’s important that we help each other through those times. If we do, we will have a very successful season.”