Spring sports review 2026: softball

Tom Keegan
Onwardtrojans.com

Chesterton rode a deep batting order loaded with power hitters to a 10-4 DAC record that included sweeping two games against chief rival Valparaiso to a third-place finish in a conference that included the state champion, Lake Central.
The Trojans appeared to be riding the wave of that strong conference season in the early going of a playoff opener as the home team against sectional host Valparaiso until things unraveled late.
Leading 11-6 going into the seventh inning, and then the defense unraveled. The Trojans were outscored 5-0 to force an eighth inning and then fell behind after allowing eight runs in the top of the eighth. Their comeback effort fell short and they lost 19-14.
The Trojans finished their season with a 12-10 overall record. Their best performance came in a near miss at Crown Point, where the Bulldogs survived a strong all-around effort from the visitors, 4-3, on April 15.
Final DAC standings: 1. Lake Central, 2. Crown Point, 3. Chesterton, 4. Valparaiso, 5. Portage, 6. LaPorte, 7. Merrillville, 8. Michigan City.
All-DAC
Chesterton: Lila Miller, Jillienne Pittman.
Crown Point: Paige Liezert, Ashlyn Kita, Scarlette Tegtman.
Lake Central: Lexi Iwema, Tegan Tripp, Maddie Such, Madi Wainwright.
LaPorte: Madi Squire.
Portage: Erin Fausch, Duncan Krenkel.
Valparaiso: Delilah Kincaid, Elizabeth Kosek.
Merrillville: Rheana Early.
Michigan City: Rylee Brehmer.
MVP: Paige Liezert.
Chesterton team awards:
Offensive MVP: Jillienne Pittman.
Sportsmanship: Lizz Dodds.
Defensive MVP: Lila Miller.
Most improved: Kaydence Ford.
Mental attitude: Lexi Smith.
Most productive hitter: Olivia Milton.