Stephanie Abello
Benet, Jr., C: Teams attempted to steal only eight times on the Naperville Sun Player of the Year, who also batted .481 with 22 homers and 63 RBI. She needs seven next year to set a new state career home run record.
Jessica Brown
Benet, Jr., OF: Brown hit .300 on a team of high-average, college-bound infielders, “but while kids tend to be judged based on their hitting, she has proven her worth by being a great defensive player,” Benet coach Jerry Schilf said.
Kailey Budicin
Naperville North, Sr., C: Budicin heads to Dayton after batting .532 and setting single-season program records for hits (67) and runs (49) . She also hit 14 doubles, four triples, five homers and had a three-year varsity batting average of .394.
Maddi Doane
Naperville Central, Sr., OF: In addition to being one of the area’s best center fielders, the Syracuse recruit led her team in nearly every offensive category, batting .429 with 57 hits, 37 RBI, 43 runs, five triples and eight homers.
Lindsey Gonzalez
Naperville Central, So., 2B: One of the area’s smoothest infielders, she batted .448 with 52 hits, 27 RBI, 34 runs scored, a .647 slugging percentage and a team-leading 15 walks and 16 doubles.
Keegan Hayes
Naperville Central, Sr., P: Northern Illinois recruit hit .339 with 31 RBI while earning a 17-7 pitching record for the sectional champion Redhawks. She had 128 strikeouts and six shutouts with an ERA of 1.76.
Shannon Hohman
Waubonsie Valley, Jr., P: Hohman went 16-6 for the Upstate Eight Valley champs, striking out 161 in 147 innings and posting an ERA of 1.52. Hohman also batted .400 and led Waubonsie with a .682 slugging percentage.
Amanda Lack
Waubonsie Valley, Sr., C: Illinois Wesleyan recruit’s .439 batting average led the UEC Valley champs, and she also had a team-leading 50 hits and 11 doubles, plus three home runs and 29 runs.
Jamie O’Brien
Neuqua Valley, Sr., SS: Loyola recruit was a marvel at shortstop with a .938 fielding percentage, including 73 assists and 47 putouts in 128 chances. The UEC Valley Player of the Year also hit .389 and had a .445 on-base percentage.
Marissa Panko
Benet, Sr., SS: Team MVP heads to Northwestern after hitting .504 for the Redwings (30-3). Panko finished the season with 64 hits, 10 homers, five triples, 12 doubles, and eight stolen bases.
Alise Perna
Metea Valley, Sr., OF: Center fielder batted .441 and finished with an on-base percentage of .518, a slugging percentage of .699, and an OPS of 1.217. Perna will play at Lewis next year.
Julianne Rurka
Benet, Sr., 3B: East Suburban Catholic Player of the Year batted .484 with 20 doubles, nine home runs, three triples, and 47 RBI. Rurka will play in college for Providence.
