Under-The-Radar Illinois 2028s Poised To Break Out

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Midwest is home to plenty of softball talent on a year-round basis, and the Prairie State is no different. From Chicago to Hillsboro to Grayslake, the spring softball season is about to get underway, and there are specific players you should keep your eyes on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below, Prep Softball highlights under-the-radar 2028s poised for big high school seasons ahead in Illinois.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":156991,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Gabriela Frye","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"24","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Casey-Westfield","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Charleston Chill 16U","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-699610e483350"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Casey-Westfield Warriors have built up a reputation as a high-powered offense and a program that wins, and wins a lot. Over the past three seasons, the Warriors have a combined record of 106-10 and have scored 1,134 runs. The thought of being in a starting lineup of that caliber and contributing at a high level may appear daunting, especially for a freshman, but Gabriela Frye got right to work and made a name for herself last year. The young third baseman smacked 37 hits last spring, including 14 doubles, and had a .411 batting average, 33 runs scored, and 18 RBIs. She also only struck out 10 times all season, drew six walks, and had nine stolen bases. She can hit for power to all fields, has a measured, compact swing, and can come through in the clutch. The only question that remains is, how many doubles will she hit this year?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":157020,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Cameron Marshall","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"20","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Grayslake Central","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Wisconsin Lightning 16U","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69961bd868c8a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">About 40 miles north of Chicago and around 15 miles south of Wisconsin lies the village of Grayslake, which is home to the Grayslake Central Rams and hard-hitting sophomore Cameron Marshall. The catcher and infielder played in all but one game for the Rams during her freshman campaign, and made her presence in the starting lineup count. She finished the season with a .416 batting average, 37 hits, 22 runs scored, 21 RBIs, 12 doubles, and two home runs. Behind the plate, she had 22 assists, 32 putouts, and a solid fielding percentage of .900. In travel ball this past fall, it was much of the same. She had 24 hits for the Wisconsin Lightning, including nine extra-base hits, and 24 RBIs. She has a strong arm and was clocked last year at 65 mph while throwing overhand. She is also an enthusiastic and encouraging teammate, who is eager to congratulate others and build up their confidence. In more ways than one, she embodies what makes softball great.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":157032,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Piper Berry","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'5u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"19","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Round Lake","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Grayslake Pride 09","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69962fbc2942b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It's actually not easy to hit a softball squarely and get an extra-base hit, but Piper Berry made it look that way during her freshman season. The right-handed hurler picked up 15 hits for the Round Lake Panthers, and 12 of them, or 80%, were of the extra-base variety. In total, she had four doubles, one triple, and seven home runs, to go along with a .484 batting average. She also led the team in every offensive category, as well as in fielding percentage and earned run average. The best news for the Panthers is that she appears to be even better as her sophomore season approaches. At the Winter tourney in January, she racked up 15 strikeouts over 11 innings pitched, allowed only one earned run, and had a 0.63 ERA overall. At the plate, she hit a bomb over the center field wall, drove in three runs, and had a .375 batting average for the weekend. In other words, Berry does quite a few things well on the softball field, and she will be a player to watch this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":157047,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Lainey Lessman","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'5u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"19","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Hillsboro","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"St. Louis Chaos 2010","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69972f459c6e2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lainey Lessman's freshman campaign was no less than superb. Not only did the righthander lead her team in the circle with a 4-0 record and a 1.69 ERA, but she also had the team-leading batting average, finishing at .456 for the year. And that's not all, her 26 RBIs, .772 slugging percentage, and three triples also led the Hillsboro Hilltoppers. She has a full arsenal of pitches to choose from while dealing to her battery mate, including a solid rise and changeup. Her control is also impressive, as she had 61 strikeouts last spring compared to only nine walks. Most importantly, she keeps the ball in the ballpark, only allowing two home runs last season. After having ACL surgery last summer, she is on her way to a promising 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":157053,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Miley Dobbs","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'6u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"30","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Belvidere North","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"T-Force 09","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69972f459c7ef"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If you're looking for a softball player who has speed, power, and sheer determination, look no further than Miley Dobbs. The northern Illinois product had an all-around fantastic freshman campaign for the Belvidere North Blue Thunder. At the plate, she had a .400 batting average, 34 hits, 37 runs scored, 24 RBIs, 13 stolen bases, five doubles, six triples, and two home runs. Defensively, she was just as accomplished, with 23 putouts, 18 assists, and five double plays turned. Moving beyond the statistics, she can play anywhere on the field. You may see her rob a home run on one pitch, and dive up the middle to snag a hot ground ball on the next one. She is a dependable hitter at the plate, has a good eye and rarely strikes out, and her agility on the bases can create a nightmare for opposing defenses. All in all, she has the perfect recipe for a player to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->