RTHS Softball

07/03/2026

Softball season might be over, but recognition for the 2026 season is still rolling in! A couple accomplishments to highlight…

🦅Finished the 7th ranked team in our area

🦅Lauren Herbert receives 2nd Team News Gazette All-Area

Congrats to everyone on a memorable season!

06/10/2026

Shoutout to Lauren Herbert for making 3rd Team All State! What an incredible accomplishment to be recognized as one of the best softball players in the state of Illinois!

Several area softball players have been selected to the (ICA) Illinois Coaches Association All-State Softball Teams. Congratulations to each player that is recognized.

****CLASS 1A****

FIRST TEAM SELECTIONS:

*Ava Goble-Casey-Westfield
*Lucy Moore-Casey-Westfield
*Leah Compton-Christ Our Rock
*Grace Bishop-Edwards County
*Maggie Clutts-Goreville
*Jaycie Buss-Okawville
*Elyssa Schoenbaechler-Waltonville/S-V

SECOND TEAM PLAYERS:

*Kendra Alumbaugh-Hutsonville
*Kynlee Bryan-Goreville
*Brookelyn Ellerman-Carrollton
*Bella Fasolo-Pope County
*Mya Friese-Windsor/Stew-Stras
*Gabriela Frye-Casey-Westfield
*Allison Groff-Edwards County
*Addi Hasheider-Okawville
*Kendra Hayes-Windsor Stew-Stras
*Analiese Howell-Marissa-Coulterville
*Schae Juenger-Okawville
*Anna Karras-Casey-Westfield
*Kylie Kloess-Dupo
*Lydia Kwiatkowski-Goreville
*Collins Newton-Carrollton
*Adri Ortega-Crab Orchard
*Addi Stanley-Waltonville/S-V
*Shae Taylor-Waltonville/S-V
*Zoey Wolf-Steeleville

THIRD TEAM SELECTIONS:

*Jada Burnett Hatton-Crab Orchard
*Avery England-Woodlawn
*Kacie Fritch-Pope County
*Brynn Griffin-Hutsonville
*Brooke Kintner-Oblong
*Hadley Lake-Carrollton
*Hayden McMurtie-Carrollton
*Connie Mueller-Steeleville
*Payten Perry-Marissa-Coulterville
*Kennedy Trieb-Marissa-Coulterville
*Sophie Winkeler-Waterloo Gibault

****CLASS 2A****

FIRST TEAM SELECTIONS:

*Kansas Craig-Anna-Jonesboro
*Colbie Bennet-Carterville
*Taryn Ford-Carterville
*Cadience Phillips-Carterville
*Leah Jones-Flora
*Julia Ohlau-Red Bud
*Lynn Welborn-Marshall

SECOND TEAM PLAYERS:

*Macayla Nance-Anna-Jonesboro
*Jayci Needling-Anna-Jonesboro
*Lilli Armes-Johnston City
*Savannah Gibb-Carterville
*Emily Webb-Columbia
*Halle Kitley-Flora
*Kennedy Bowker-Pana
*Ava Cherry-Roxana
*Josie Brannon-Roxana
*Madison John-Roxana
*Peyton White-Greenville
*Peyton Chappelear-Hillsboro
*Lainey Lessman-Hillsboro
*McKenzie Davis-Marshall
*Lauren English-Marshall
*Kyla Gustafson-Marshall
*Ava Wagner-Red Bud
*Malea Helmink-Teutopolis
*Alyssa Tipton-Teutopolis
*Eva Hermann-Robinson
*Riley Hershey-Mt Carmel
*Lyla Keepes-Mt Carmel
*Hadley Hunt-Harrisburg
*Sadie Popejoy-Nashville
*Angela Smith-Nashville
*Alex Jokisch-Shelbyville
*Ella Keene-Pinckneyville
*Kendall Cleland-Pinckneyville
*Lacie Schuckenbrock-Gillespie
*Aubrey Waeltz-Freeburg

THIRD TEAM SELECTIONS:

*Jayda Shepard-Anna-Jonesboro
*Macey Alexander-Murphysboro
*Ellie Beacham-East Alton-Wood River
*Ava Brown-Harrisburg
*Maddie Walker-Harrisburg
*Madison Bruns-Pinckneyville
*Molly Carriker-Carlinville
*Hallie Gibson-Carlinville
*Haylee Clark-Greenville
*Madison Dickerson-Herrin
*Makayla Gajewski-Nashville
*Chloe Hoene-Teutopolis
*Olivia Joseph-Freeburg
*Peyton Kreher-Red Bud
*Ava Parrish-Gillespie
*Eva Sellers-Mt Carmel
*Julia Schultz-St Anthony
*Aeralyn Thrasher-Sullivan

****CLASS 3A****

FIRST TEAM SELECTIONS:

*Avery Beals-Charleston
*Ryleigh Kiel-Glenwood
*Irie Lorenz-Glenwood
*Addyson Woodedn-Metamora
*Addison Rotz-Mt Zion

SECOND TEAM PLAYERS:

*Lainie Keefer-Charleston
*Hope Gilmore-Glenwood
*Jemma Lamb-Glenwood
*Alana Bryant-Marion
*Avery Boehm-Mascoutah
*Carra Craig-Metamora
*Avelynn Ethel-Mt Zion
*Chloe Williams-Mt Zion
*Peyton DeMichael-Taylorville

THIRD TEAM SELECTIONS:

*Raylin Cox-Charleston
*Grey Gilbert-LIncoln
*Paislee Freebourn-Marion
*Mercedes Smith-Marion
*Callie Kunze-Mascoutah
*Abby Harper-Triad
*Lauren Hebert-Rantoul

05/22/2026

Thank you for opportunity to be part of something truly special with RTHS Eagles Softball. 💜💛

Thank you for trusting me to help as an assistant coach, assisting to run GameChanger, announce home games, create graphics and Facebook posts, and support these athletes all season long. Being around this team, these families, and this community has meant more to me than words can explain.

This team fought hard, represented Rantoul with pride, and finished with a winning season that everyone should be proud of.
To our seniors — good luck on your next adventure!! Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you’re not good enough. Be great, chase your goals, and continue becoming the strong young women you were meant to be. 💜💛

And to everyone who followed along, shared posts, came to games, and supported these girls all season long — thank you for making this community special.

I truly enjoyed every late-night post, every lineup announcement, every game update, every laugh, every bus ride… well, except the one where I broke my elbow 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Already looking forward to next season and doing it all again.

AKE!! 💜💛
Coach Katie

05/22/2026

💜💛 2026 RTHS VARSITY EAGLES SOFTBALL 💛💜

What a season.

The final score may not have gone our way in the Regional Championship, but this team accomplished something special together. The RTHS Eagles finished the 2026 season with a winning 15-13 regular season record, a Regional Championship appearance, and countless memories that will last far beyond the softball field.

This season was built on resilience, hustle, heart, growth, and family. Through rain delays, tough losses, exciting wins, extra innings, road trips, practices, and unforgettable moments — these young ladies continued to battle for each other every single day.

⚾ TEAM HIGHLIGHTS ⚾
🦅 Multiple dominant pitching performances and shutouts throughout the season.
🦅 Big offensive games with home runs, triples, clutch RBIs, and aggressive base running.
🦅 Strong defensive performances and tremendous growth from beginning to end.
🦅 A postseason run that showed the toughness and determination of this team.

🔥 INDIVIDUAL SEASON STANDOUTS 🔥

🥎 Addy Sherrick
One of the area’s most dominant pitchers this season, delivering huge strikeout performances, multiple complete games, a no-hitter, and leadership in the circle every time she stepped on the field.

💥 Lauren Herbert
A major power bat for the Eagles lineup all season long, delivering key home runs, extra-base hits, and clutch offensive moments that changed games.

⚡ Bionca Walton
An incredible all-around athlete who contributed both at the plate and in the circle with key wins, clutch innings, big RBIs, and consistent leadership.

💜 Additional key contributors all season included:
Airiana Bell, Evelynn Graham, Jadyn Rosenberger, Jozelynn Ozier, Silver Button, Kenzie McKaufsky, Aubrey Cann, Maya Robinson, EmmiLynne McCallister, Khloee McMorris, Josie Roseman, Harper Morgan, Alissa Meeker, Veronica Mendoza, Trinity Trotter, Zoe Reeder, and Kassandra Ecker — every single player contributed to this season and helped build something special.

To our seniors — Airiana Bell, Lauren Herbert, EmmiLynne McCallister, and Josie Roseman — thank you for your leadership, commitment, memories, and the legacy you leave behind for future Eagles softball players.

Thank you to our coaching staff, families, fans, administration, community, and everyone who supported these athletes throughout the season. Your support never went unnoticed.

Most importantly — thank you to these young ladies for representing RTHS with pride, toughness, and class.

The future of RTHS Softball is bright. 💜🦅💛

05/21/2026

🔥 REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAMEDAY 🔥

On the road to Bloomington today for the RTHS Varsity Eagles Softball team to win the Regional Championship! 💜💛🦅

The Eagles battle UHigh for the Regional Championship at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington!

🕟 First Pitch: 4:30 PM
📍 Illinois Wesleyan University – Bloomington, IL

This team has battled all season long with heart, grit, hustle, and pride — and now it all comes down to tonight. Let’s pack the stands, bring the energy, and cheer on these Eagles as they chase a Regional title! 🥎🔥

GOOD LUCK LADIES — LET’S FLY! 💜💛🦅

05/20/2026

The road to postseason glory keeps rolling for the RTHS Eagles! 💜💛🦅

The Eagles battled their way past Jacksonville in Regional action behind a dominant performance in the circle and clutch hitting throughout the lineup!

⚾ Highlights:

• Addy Sherrick dominated in the circle with a complete game win — 13 strikeouts, only 2 hits allowed, and 0 earned runs in 7 innings.
• Lauren Herbert led the offense going 3-4 at the plate.
• Airiana Bell finished 2-4 with an RBI and scored a run.
• Josie Roseman went 2-4 with 2 RBI.
• Jadyn Rosenberger added a 2-4 performance with an RBI.
• Silver Button was perfect at the plate going 2-2 with an RBI and a run scored.
• Evelynn Graham added a hit and scored a run.
• Bionca Walton drove in 2 RBI.

The Eagles collected 13 hits and played strong postseason softball from start to finish! 🔥

Next up, RTHS takes on University High in the Regional Championship back at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington on May 21st at 4:30 PM. 🦅🔥

The winner will advance to the Lincoln Sectional on May 26th at 4:00 PM against the winner of the Mahomet-Seymour Regional.

Keep bringing the energy, Eagle Nation — this postseason run is just getting started! 💜💛

05/20/2026

Bringing home the WIN…. More to follow

05/20/2026

Top of 6….

05/19/2026

🥎💜💛 GAMEDAY 💛💜🥎

The road to Regionals begins TONIGHT as the RTHS Varsity Eagles Softball team heads to Bloomington to battle Jacksonville in IHSA Regional action!

🦅 RTHS Eagles vs. Jacksonville
🕡 First Pitch: 6:30 PM
📍 Illinois Wesleyan University
1350 Franklin Ave
Bloomington, IL

The Eagles are ready to hit the road, battle together, and leave it all on the field. One team. One goal. WIN. 🥎🔥

🌦️ Weather Outlook for Bloomington:
Expect cloudy skies with breezy conditions and chances for scattered showers and thunderstorms throughout the afternoon and evening. Temperatures should be in the mid-70s around game time, with possible storm activity in the area. Please stay tuned to our page for any inclement weather updates or schedule changes if necessary.

Safe travels to everyone making the trip — let’s pack the stands and support these ladies as they begin postseason play!

05/18/2026

Vote for Aubrey!

It's time to vote for The News-Gazette's Athletes of the Week, powered by Copper Creek Contractors. Each Monday, The News-Gazette will publish an online poll with four boys and four