ROCKTON — Hononegah’s Indians had a tough act to follow after the 2023 softball team finished undefeated in the NIC-10 and went 28-8-1 overall.
The Indians graduated four players who were All-NIC-10 on that squad: shortstop Joscelyn Bennett, third baseman Amanda Williams, pitcher/first baseman Lexi Bach and outfielder Briella Sendele.
They did return an All-NIC-10 battery of catcher Danielle Franz and pitcher Aislynn Palmer, but with a bevy of newcomers this seemed like the season the Indians were particularly vulnerable.
Guess again. Hononegah not only posted a 30-victory season and repeated as conference champion, it won that elusive IHSA 4A regional title it missed out on in 2023. After defeating the host school to win the Harlem Regional, the Indians (30-4) finally lost to Barrington 7-3 in a sectional semifinal.
“We had a great season,” said head coach Denny McKinney, who was named NIC-10 Coach of the Year. “We’re fortunate with the number of really good kids we have that they can make us coaches look pretty good.”
Hononegah placed four players on the All-NIC-10 First Team: senior Franz, sophomore Palmer, senior first baseman Natalie Kinney and freshman second baseman Kaelyn Kelly. Third baseman Addison Hulburt earned Special Mention.
Franz, who accepted a scholarship from Lindenwood University, earned her fourth First Team selection. She batted .407 with a .509 on-base percentage and .837 slugging percentage and 1.347 OPS. She had 11 doubles, a triple and eight home runs, driving in 39 runs.
“Usually when you’re selecting an all-conference team you have to make a presentation for your candidates. I didn’t get the name Dani Franz out of my mouth and the other coaches said, ‘Next.’ It was a foregone conclusion she was First Team. She did what she’s done since her first day playing high school ball. Not many coaches trust their catchers to call all the pitches, but I had complete faith in Dani. Plus she hit the tar out of the ball.”
Palmer was a reluctant ace.
“For someone who doesn’t want to be a pitcher, I really admire that she knew what her role had to be for us,” McKinney said. “We needed her on the mound and she understood the responsibility she had. She pitched her heart out for us.”
Palmer pitched 83 innings for the Indians and allowed 61 hits and 22 earned runs. She walked 20 and struck out 145, posting a 1.83 earned run average. Opponents hit .199 against her.
“There are going to be colleges recruiting her to pitch,” McKinney said. “It will be interesting to see what happens there over the next two years. I compare her to Maddy Carlson. If she continues to develop, I think she can be a D-1 pitcher.”
Of course Palmer can also hit with the best. She drove in a team-high 40 runs, batting .370 with a .468 on-base percentage, .815 slugging percentage and 1.284 OPS. She hit 12 doubles, a triple and nine homers.
First baseman Kinney had a terrific season at the plate, batting .400 with a .450 on-base percentage, a .620 slugging percentage and a 1.070 OPS. The Albion College (Mich.) recruit drove in 23 runs and scored 26.
“Natalie became more of a vocal leader this year and really came to win every time out,” the coach said. “She was the first one to holler on defense. And you can’t take away her bat. She had a lot of key hits for us this season. When she turns on a ball she hits it as well as anybody.”
Kelly, one of several freshmen McKinney brought up to the varsity, gave the Indians an offensive catalyst at the top of their lineup. She led the Indians in hitting (.452), hits (47), runs (38) and stolen bases (16). She had a .496 on-base percentage, .606 slugging percentage and 1.101 OPS.
“I was looking for a consistent leadoff hitter and as soon as I put her there my problem was solved,” he said, ”She hits the ball very well and she can play small ball. She has a high softball IQ and understands situations as far as what she should be doing. Kaelyn has a bright future.”
Hulburt gave the Indians a big bang at the bottom of their lineup. Batting No. 9, she hit .333 with nine home runs, 25 runs scored and 32 RBIs.
“She told me more than once that she loved batting in the nine-hole because of the pitches she saw there,” McKinney said. “The thing about Addy is that other than pitcher, I think you can put her at any position on the diamond and she’d do a good job. With Dani gone next season, she’ll be someone we’ll look at to catch. You have to love her attitude. She loves the game.”
So does McKinney, who is showing no signs of slowing down.
“I still enjoy coaching and we only have two losses in three years in conference,” he said. “I don’t think people understand what goes into coaching at times. I try to base every decision I make on what is best for the dynamics of the current team.”
Alaina Schwanke of Harlem, which tied for second, was named NIC-10 MVP.
The entire team follows:
FIRST TEAM: Danielle Franz, C, Hononegah, sr.; Kaelyn Kelly, 2B, Hononegah, fr.; Natalie Kinney, 1B, Hononegah, sr.; Aislynn Palmer, P, Hononegah, so.; Audrey Burbach, C, Harlem, jr.; McKenzie Culvey, SS, Belvidere North, jr.; Quinn Krzeminski, C, Freeport, so.; Alyssa Lowery, P, Auburn, sr.; Ava Morris, P, Belvidere North, fr.; Kailen Pro, SS, Freeport, sr.; Alaina Schwanke, P, Harlem, sr.; Addison Smith, P, Rockford Jefferson, fr.; Viola Smith, SS, Rockford Jefferson, jr.; Anna Viel, OF, Auburn, sr.; Amiyah Wyrick, OF, Guilford, so.
SPECIAL MENTION: Zoe Gehrke, SS, Belvidere, jr.; Jordan Hanserd, 3B, Guilford, sr.; Addison Hulburt, 3B, Hononegah, so.; Laci Knutson, 1B, Harlem, sr.; Lily Parr, C, Auburn, so.; Malia Welch, P, Guilford, so.; Jenna Yakey, 2B, Belvidere North, jr.; Josie Yakey, OF, Belvidere North, jr.
NIC-10 STANDINGS: Hononegah 17-1; Belvidere North 15-3, Harlem 15-3; Rockford Auburn 12-6; Freeport 11-7; Rockford Guilford 8-10; Belvidere 6-12; Rockford Jefferson 4-14; Rockford Boylan 2-26; Rockford East 0-18.
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