Mar. 31—Ashton-Franklin Center
Coach: Heather Settles (third season)
2024: 5-21, 0-10 NUIC South (sixth)
Returning varsity: Nadia Near, sr., 2B; Claire Freeman, jr., P/CF; Reese Polk, jr., P/SS/C; Natalee VanNatta, so., C; Leah O'Brien, so., 3B; Dakota White, so., OF/1B; Kaitlyn Bevan, so., OF
Key newcomers: Chloe Parker, fr., P/OF; Lilly Cooper, fr., OF/1B, Rylin Branscum, fr., OF/1B
Worth noting: Settles noted VanNatta, Freeman and Polk as key players to watch this season. She says it will be a young team.
"These girls will just have to work a little harder and play well as a team," she said. "I look forward to seeing the girls develop throughout the season."
Amboy
Coach: Kelly Whitman (17th season)
2024: 11-8, 7-3 NUIC South (second)
Returning varsity: Tyrah Vaessen, sr.; Ellie McLaughlin, jr.; Brittlyn Whitman, jr.; Kiera Karlson, jr.; Alyvia Whelchel, jr.; Jadyn Whelchel, jr.; Peyton Payne, jr.; Leighton Gulley, soph.; Lilli Leffelman, soph.; Gloria Parker, sr.; Jenna Blaine, jr.; Anna Carlson, jr.; Taylor Wamhoff, jr.
Key newcomer: Gabby Miller, fr.
Worth noting: The Clippers return nine starters from last year's team and look to compete for a conference title.
"We would like to improve on our overall record," Whitman said. "We have played together for a few years at the varsity level and feel it is our time to step it up to the next level and compete with all teams we face."
Bureau Valley
Coach: David Shepard
2024: 16-10, 6-5 (fourth)
Returning varsity: Carly Reglin, sr., P; Kayden Haage, jr., IF; Kayden Haage, jr., IF; Sadie Bailey, sr., OF; Emily Wright, jr., C; Emma Stull, sr., IF
Key newcomers: Mallory Williams Maubach, so., P; Danica Benavides, fr., P/OF; Abby Jamison, jr., OF/IF; Ali Carrington, fr., OF; Kloey Trujillo, jr., IF; Remi Marshall, fr., Ut.
Worth noting: The Storm have some losses to overcome from last year's regional championship team, including all-state pitcher Madison Smith, who transferred to Annawan-Wethersfield. All-state shortstop Lesleigh Maynard injured her knee during basketball season. She is signed to play basketball at Southeast Missouri State.
Dixon
Coach: Candi Rogers (10th season)
2024: 10-17, 5-10 BNC (seventh)
Returning varsity: Bailey Tegeler, sr., CF; Allie Abell, sr., P/OF; Delaney Bruce, sr., OF; Kennedy Haenitsch, sr., C; Kiley Gaither, jr., 2B: Taylor Frost, so., P/IF; Abby Hicks, so., IF; Abby Burgess, sr., IF
Key newcomers: Breanna Tegeler, fr., IF
Worth noting: Bailey Tegeler, an Indian Hills College commit, was one of the five Sauk Valley players to watch this season.
Coach Rogers is optimistic for the season and said she has a strong core of starters back.
"We have some girls playing new positions, but I am confident they will settle in," she said. "The team has put in a lot of work in the offseason and I expect that to translate into success this season. With three returning all-conferences players and our experience, we are well positioned for a competitive run."
Eastland
Coach: Keali Eich (ninth season)
2024: 15-7, 8-2 NUIC South (first)
Returning varsity: Olivia Klinefelter, sr., 3B; Alyson Knutti, sr., OF; Morgan McCullough, jr., UTIL; Tatum Grim, jr., C; Sienna Peterson, jr., UTIL; Vanessa Allen, jr., OF; Isabella Ames, so., SS; Sophie Preston, so., 1B
Key newcomers: Keara Kaus, fr., P; Avery Burkholder, fr., OF; Delaney Mullen, fr., UTIL; Ellie Jocknevich, fr., UTIL; Kynzie Leverton, fr., UTIL
Worth noting: Eich said Kaus will be relied upon in the circle as a freshman. Kaus' cousin, Jenica Stoner, pitched for the team before graduating last year.
"It'll be a tough season with a ...
