Four members of Waubonsee Community College's softball team were recognized by the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference (ISCC) and the NJCAA's Region IV Committee for their performances this past spring on the diamond. Chiefs' second baseman Alyssa Eby, center fielder Maddie Kawall, and pitcher and first baseman Katie Beebe were each named to the All-ISCC First Team. Eby and Beebe were also chosen to the All-Region First Team, while Kawall and Chiefs' shortstop Autumn Sullivan were both tabbed to the All-Region Second Team.
On the season Eby batted .449 overall, ripping 84 hits to equal Ashley Blocker's single-season Waubonsee record set in 2015. The Chiefs' leadoff hitter also smacked 20 doubles, finishing one shy of Alora O'Malley-Molk's program record of two-baggers in a season also established in 2015. The St. Charles North High School graduate struck out only one time all season in 195 plate appearances, finishing the season on a 40-game strikeout-less streak. Eby also drilled three triples, scored 58 runs, and drove in 26 more. The freshman posted a .588 slugging percentage, while also compiling a .461 on-base percentage and stealing 10 bases in 12 attempts.
Kawall, a Somonauk High School graduate, batted .403 with 58 hits and 20 stolen bases this season. The left-handed hitter smacked a dozen doubles, drove in 23 runs and scored 40 times. The Chiefs' centerfielder made just one error all spring while also registering five outfield assists. Kawall recently signed on with NCAA Division I affiliate Morehead State University in Kentucky to continue her education and playing career.
Beebe, a freshman from Oswego High School, batted .424 with 19 doubles and eight home runs. The Chiefs' designated hitter drove in 52 runs, smacked 67 hits, scored 41 runs and posted a team-leading .696 slugging percentage. Also a right-handed hurler, Beebe went 20-10 with four saves in the pitching circle, matching Tarah Rayos' Waubonsee single-season mark for wins set in 2014. She posted a 3.15 earned-run-average in 35 appearances and established new Chiefs' single-season records for innings pitched with 206 and two-thirds innings, and for strikeouts with 170.
Sullivan, a sophomore from Oswego East High School, batted .429 with 17 doubles, five triples, six home runs, a team-leading 56 runs batted in, 47 runs scored and 13 stolen bases in 15 attempts. The right-handed hitter tallied a team-leading 120 total bases, just two shy of the Waubonsee single-season mark held jointly by Tiffani Palmatier (2016) and Nicole Krupp (2017). The Chiefs' shortstop finished the season with 75 hits, compiling a .686 slugging percentage and a .471 on-base percentage. Sullivan finished her stellar Chiefs' career tied with O'Malley-Molk (2014-15) and Krupp (2017-18) with 33 career doubles. She also ended up second in program history with 220 total bases, fourth in runs scored with 94, fifth in runs batted in with 92 and sixth in career hits with 126.
Waubonsee finished the season 32-18 overall under second-year head coach Kristen Corning. The Chiefs went 8-4 in ISCC play to finish second in the league standings for the second straight year. Waubonsee reached the 'final four' of the double-elimination Region IV Division II District B Tournament before suffering a heartbreaking 7-6 loss in 11 innings to McHenry County. The Chiefs then left nine runners on base in a season-ending 6-4 loss to Illinois Valley.
