The spring sports have started! Let’s check out what our coaches have to say about their teams this upcoming season
*All coaches were contacted multiple times for this exercise. Those responses are below.
School name: Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences
Last season’s record: 8-6
Returning starters (name, class, position):
Lola Hendrickson – Jr, C
Qyanna Pinckney – Jr, P/OF
Sophia Melendrez – Soph, 1B
Vanessa Spanos – Soph, 2B
Valentina Terzija – Soph, OF
Returning non-starters (name, class, position):
Tatiana Rodriguez – Jr, OF
Aalisha Thompson – Soph, OF
Top newcomers (name, class, position):
Jocelyn Vanzant – Fresh, SS
Ceara Tapia – Soph, 3B/P
Zaira Cortez – Junior, 2B
D’Niyah Phillips – Senior, OF
Games to watch:
Both conference games vs Clemente high school. Games with them are always competitive, and we split the series last year.
Coach’s season outlook:
I believe we can finish with a similar record to last year. A lot of our returning sophomores made huge strides towards the end of last season, and in practice this season, it looks like they’ve continued on their upward trends. I am very interested to see just how much they’ve improved once we start playing games.
School name: Jones College Prep
Last season’s record: 17-6-1
Returning starters (name, class, position):
Amanda Lopez – Class of 2026 – 2B, LF
Delaney Treccia – Class of 2028 – Utility
Julissa Galvaz – Class of 2026 – 1B
Gabby Prus – Class of 2026 – 3B
Lucy Paskieiscz – Class of 2027 – SS
Esmeralda Avila – Class of 2026 – C, 2B
Jelissy Rivera – Class of 2026 – C, 1B, RF
Returning non-starters (name, class, position):
Miyanna Torres – Class of 2026 – SS
Abby Weinraub – Class of 2026 – 1B
Lizbeth Castillo – Class of 2026 – 2B
Alina Villapando-Ramirez – Class of 2026 – P, CF
Top newcomers (name, class, position):
Meghan Pierce – Class of 2029 – P, CF
Hannah Paskiewiscz – Class of 2029 – C, 3B, 1B
Games to watch:
Jones vs Walter Payton 5/4/2026
Coach’s season outlook:
This season marks an exciting new chapter for Jones with the addition of a new coaching staff committed to building a competitive and positive culture. We are also returning back up to the Red Conference, which brings a higher level of competition and will challenge us to elevate our game play. Our roster features a strong mix of returning players and young talent stepping into the program. The experience and leadership from our returners combined with the energy and potential of our younger athletes gives us a lot to be excited about this season. We’re looking forward to growing together, competing hard, and continuing to build the future of our softball program starting this year.
School name: Kennedy High School
Last season’s record: 16-8
Social media handle: Instagram jfk.crusader.softball
College commits: Ariel Huerta and Sophia Holquin both Committed to Olivet Nazarene
Returning starters (name, class, position, stats and honors (if any)):
Ilani Reyes, P, Junior; 8-3 Last Year, 2nd team All-City
Jessica Monarrez, Junior, IF; 33 SB last Year
Jaida Rebolledo .470 BA
Gisella Lopez, Senior, 4 years of Varsity
Returning non-starters (name, class, position):
Emma Jimenez Senior P/Utility
Top newcomers (name, class, position):
Ariel Huerta, Senior, Provides power and speed
Sophia Hulguin – Senior Provides power and defense
Games to watch:
4/6 vs. Hancock
4/24 vs. Curie
Coach’s season outlook:
Our goal is to win conference this year and make a run past Regionals if we stay healthy. We have a mix of speed and power that will help us put up runs. We have a tough non-conference schedule that should help us get ready for the state playoffs.
School name: Lane Tech
Last season’s record: 21-13
Returning starters:
Chayse Radcliff, Senior, 3B/IF
Olivia Segura, Senior, OF/3B, BA: .422, HR: 4, RBI: 40, CPL All-City Team
Chloe Gonzalez, Senior, P/UTL
Amya Cordero, Junior, SS/IF
Sofia Stronsky, Junior, P/1B
Grace Thornley, Sophomore, P/OF, IP: 74, SO: 42, ERA: 3.973
Returning non-starters:
Amelia Volkens, Senior, C
Emma Casillas, Senior, OF
Top newcomers (name, class, position):
Eleanor Jacobson, Freshman, P
Arianna Marin, Junior, OF/1B
Madison Shraiberg, Freshman, UTL
Coach’s season outlook:
We have a talented team this year, compiled of a core group of returners, alongside some newcomers. This should be a successful and exciting year for Lane Tech softball!
School name: Morgan Park High School Mustangs
Last season’s record: 4-4, 4-3 (conference)
Returning non-starters (name, class, position):
Kamille O’Bryant, Sophomore, First base/OF
Nia Hawkins, Sophomore, OF
Coach’s season outlook: Our roster this season is exceptionally young, composed primarily of freshmen with limited competitive experience. We view this as a foundational year where the focus is on ‘learning by doing.’ We are excited to watch these young athletes develop their skills and look forward to their growth over the next several seasons.
School name: North-Grand High School
Last season’s record: 3-9
Social media handle: instagram: @northgrandathlethics
Returning starters (name, class, position): Jamalis Santiago (SS), Tarriana Walker (1B) — Seniors
Coach’s season outlook: We have a young team committed to rebuilding this program. It’ll be a developmental year; a year to plant seeds and watch them grow over the next few years.
School name: Orr Academy
Last season’s record: 10-2-1
Returning starters: Carmani Sharkey, Trinity Shipp
Returning non-starters: Daniela Mata, Lay-Sha Walls
Games to watch: Westinghouse and Schurz
Coach’s season outlook: We’re looking forward to the season and the opportunity to keep building. Our goal is to get better every game and compete.
School name: Walter Payton College Prep
Last season’s record: 14-17-2 in conference 5-4 (4th)
Returning starters (name, class, position):
Sophie Spreen, ’26, 1st
Maren Theyssen, ’26, LF
Saya Tanabe, ’26, 2B
Lyla Hamilton, ’27, CF
Johannah Kimbler, ’28, C/P
Isabella Lara, ’28, P/SS
Jacqueline Madda, ’27, P/IF
Vianca Placencia, ’27, C/IF
Molly Vann, ’28, RF
Evelyn Suss, ’28, 3B
Returning non-starters (name, class, position):
Sofia Carrasco, ’27, C
TyKira Walker, ’27, OF
Top newcomers (name, class, position): We have a robust JV team with 8 promising freshman coming out this year.
Games to watch: Monday 4/6 @ Payton v. Northside, Wednesday 4/8 @ Payton v. Whitney Young, Monday 5/4 @ Payton v. Jones
Coach’s season outlook: This season will be a year of continuing to build on an already successful team. They are a group of athletes with a great bond and a love for the game. There will be some adjustments to a new coaching staff, but we see those as an opportunity for growth and development. Our hopes are to finish stronger than we did last year! Go Grizzlies!
School name: Perspectives Leadership Academy
Last season’s record: 9-6
Returning starters (name, class):
Tiya Jones – Jr
Angel Green – Jr
Toriyonna Hollingsworth – Jr
Carmella Hughes – Sr
Tiana Barker – Jr
Deaira Boone – Jr
Returning non-starters (name, class):
Deraniece Williams – So
Aniya Perkins – Jr
Laya Barker – Jr
Top newcomers (name, class, position):
Toshay Willingham – Jr
Madisen McIntosh – Jr
Chandler McIntosh- Jr
Games to watch:
Vs Morgan Park
Vs Kenwood
Coach’s season outlook:
Excited at the potential. If we can develop depth in the bullpen, the season should be .500 or better with a chance of claiming the conference crown.
School name: Rickover Naval Academy
Last season’s record: 11-12 Overall, 8-6 Conference
College commits: Kayla Mateo – Triton College
Returning starters (name, class, position):
Kayla Mateo (sr) Short Stop
Sofia Fuentes (so) 3B
Emily Sanchez (jr) C, 2B
Isabella Gallardo (jr) P, 1B, OF
Juliana Senorski (jr) OF
Top newcomers (name, class, position):
Isabella Hernandez (so) P, C, OF
Dakota Perez (sr) UTIL
Adamaris Peralta (so) P, OF
Giselle Luna (so) OF
Nayeli Sanchez-Guano (jr) P
Emily Torres (jr) 1B, OF
Sophia Lopez (jr) OF
Jenesis Sadah (so) OF
Giselle Luna (so) OF
Bella Derosier (so) OF, 2B
Coach’s season outlook: We’re heading into this season with a fantastic mix of energy. It’s great to see our returning heavy hitters back in the lineup, providing the foundation we need, while our new players are eager to learn as many positions as possible.
School name: Taft High School Eagles
Last season’s record: 23-14
Social media handle: https://www.facebook.com/ChicagoTaftSoftball/
College commits: Mick Power- Northern Illinois
Returning starters (name, class, position, stats and honors):
- Michaela Power (SR) is our Ace on the mound and returns as the 2025 CPL Player of the Year. She is an All-CPL and All-State player who is committed to play at Northern Illinois University.
- Victoria Perez (JR)- Is our starting catcher and may be the most underrated player in the CPL. We expect her to have a big season. She battled injury at the beginning of last season and was playing stellar softball late in the season.
- Gabriela Gonzalez (SR)- will make the move to CF and has been a rock solid OF and base runner for us the last 3 years. Offensively, we expect her to have a breakout year.
Returning non-starters (name, class, position):
Jaida Matos-JR
Haley Eccarius-JR
Charlie Villaraza-JR
Giulia Gentile-SO
Top newcomers (name, class, position):
Avelese Cruz (Sophomore) – SS, 2B, 3B
Bianca Fernandez (Freshman) – C,1B,3B, DP
Michelle Esquivel (Freshman) – P
Jiovanna Landeen (Freshman) – INF/P
Dylan Martinez (Freshman) – Utility/C
Games to watch: Auburn, South Elgin, Lane, WY
Coach’s season outlook:
After losing 9 seniors from our team last season, and making it to the IHSA Sectional Championship game, we have reloaded with a lot of young talent. Being so young, we do expect to go through some growing pains. I am curious to see how quickly our young talent adapts to playing at a higher level. They will be led by our two 4 year varsity players Mick Power and Gabriela Gonzalez.
School name: George Westinghouse College Prep
Last season’s record: 9-2
Returning starters (name, class, position):
Emily Coleman | 2027 | Pitcher, Short Stop
Randi Thomas | 2027 | 1st base
Ariana Monterroso | 2027 | Catcher, Left Field, 3rd Base
Aquetzlli Villegas | 2027 | Right field, Center Field
Jocelyn Lewis | 2029 | Short stop, 3rd base
Sarai James | 2027 | 3rd base, short stop, pitcher
Bernadine Bitner | 2029 | Center field, Left field
Jamilah Tobler | 2027 | Center field, right field
Eneyi Rubio | 2026 | Catcher
Returning non-starters (name, class, position):
Azalia Caceres | 2029 | right field
Abigail Diaz | 2029 | Right field
Top newcomers (name, class, position):
Aniyah Martinez | 2029 |
Aniyah Santiago | 2029 |
Nia Bates | 2026 | Pitcher
Jayla Akins | 2027 |
Games to watch:
Westinghouse vs. Schurz
Westinghouse vs. Steinmetz
Westinghouse vs. Disney II
Coach’s season outlook:
This season is going to be one to remember. With new incoming players who have
experience, it is going to be an amazing season to watch!