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Easy does it. Maddie Misch stares down pressure for St. Laurence. "Gives me some adrenaline." Tony Baranek's story on Maddie Misch 2026, plus notes on Providence's Bella Olszta and Lockport's Alexis Vander Tuuk. St. Laurence Softball Porters Softball Providence Softball chicagotribune.com/2025/06/11/mad…

Light rain here in Peoria, but we're going forward with the morning game between St. Laurence and Providence.

Lockport ready to take on Barrington in a Class 4A semifinal

A Sanfratello treat. After losing track of count, Mia Sanfratello lines RBI single to spark Providence past St. Laurence. "It paid off." Tony Baranek on state semifinal for #TribSuburbanSports. Providence Softball St. Laurence Softball Mia Sanfratello Macie Robbins 2028 chicagotribune.com/2025/06/13/mia…

A fitting salute. Western Michigan recruit Liliana Janeczko leads Lockport as field general in state semifinals. "Unbelievably proud." Tony Baranek with the story for #TribSuburbanSports. Porters Softball Lockport Athletics Liliana Janeczko 2025 Kelcie McGraw Alexis Vander Tuuk chicagotribune.com/2025/06/13/lil…

Western Michigan-bound Liliana Janeczko leads Lockport as field general in state semifinals. ‘Unbelievably proud.’ trib.al/RabAebZ

I thought it would be tough talking with Lockport's players following Friday's 1-0 loss to Barrington. Instead, I found an inspirational story about a special senior season. Check out this feature on Porters catcher Liliana Janeczko. chicagotribune.com/2025/06/13/lil…

Amazing Aoibhe. Aoibhe Landers, named Grace for one day, helps St. Laurence to fourth place in state. "Everyone looks up to her." Tony Baranek with story for #TribSuburbanSports. St. Laurence Softball Viking Athletics Aoibhe Landers Kayla Howard #1- UNCOMMITED 2027 St. Laurence HS chicagotribune.com/2025/06/14/aoi…

Hill climbs for Celtics. Freshman shortstop Aleigh Hill answers call for Providence in Class 3A state final. "Something to be proud of." Tony Baranek's story #TribSuburbanSports. Providence Catholic Athletics Providence Softball Macie Robbins 2028 Angelina Cole Bella Cortes chicagotribune.com/2025/06/14/ale…

That's a wrap on the 2024-25 school year. Capped off with a Southland baseball state champion for the 4th straight season. Quite a memorable year. So many great athletes and teams. As always, it's a pleasure to tell their stories.

This was a really rough day for our 3 Southtown teams at the state softball finals. But the players were so gracious and willing to talk and have fun during our interviews, it was a joy to write the stories. I will always come out of retirement for softball! ❤️

Thank you so much for this Tony Baranek ! Great run , GO Porters Softball .

Congratulations to senior 3B Gabi Novickas on being named ICA first team all state!! Gabi had 19 2B, 20HR, 53 RBI, and 55R in her senior season!! She walked 21 times and had a .563obp combined with her 1.181slg!

Congratulations to senior center fielder, Bree Hanik on being named ICA third team All State! Bree knocked in 42 runs and scored 53 this year. She hit 11 HR and 9 2B. She swiped 16 bases and was the speedster in the OF covering gap to gap making diving plays daily!

ALL STATE 1st TEAM Kailey Selvage | Pitcher Shepard Athletics Shepard High School kailey selvage Congrats on this accomplishment!! Thank you ICA Softball for recognizing hard working athletes!

Just finished up the all-area softball team. The easy part was that all 48 players were no-doubters. The tough part was leaving out at least 20 more who belonged. But some of them were in there with the 60 or so players we featured this season. Southland softball is the best!

A talent show. The 2025 Daily Southtown Softball All-Area Team. Tony Baranek for #TribSuburbanSports. Porters Softball St. Laurence Softball Providence Softball LWE Softball LWC Varsity Softball Warrior Softball 🥎 Marist Softball 🥎 Beecher Bobcats Andrew Softball Shepard High School Softball Oak Forest Softball chicagotribune.com/2025/06/18/202…

From A through Z, and the 1st Team through Honorable Mention, here are 48 players who helped make the Southland the state's strongest area for softball. The talent is so amazing! It was a joy and honor to write about them all this past season. Thank you! chicagotribune.com/2025/06/18/202…

Beyond record-setting numbers, she had the heart of a lion, the focus of an eagle, but also had fun like a little kid with a Christmas present. I think that covers Lincoln-Way Central's Lisabella Dimitrijevic, our 2025 Softball Player of the Year! chicagotribune.com/2025/06/18/lin…

I am so thankful, honored and grateful to be named All Area 2nd Team with such amazing and talented softball players in the Southland! Thank you Tony Baranek and SouthtownSports for always supporting softball🤘🏽 De La Salle Softball New Lenox Lightning 16U PT New Lenox Lightning 18U Gold Chicago Tribune Sports Meteor Athletics