Chesterton softball senior class of Morgan Darnell, Claire Demeter, Alexia Franco and Rilee Henry will be missed

Tom Keegan
Onwardtrojans.com

Diving catches in center field and strong throws to cut down runners became the trademarks for four-year Chesterton softball starter Alexia Franco, one-fourth of a Chesterton softball senior class that will be missed by the retuning players.
Franco also had a big offensive year batting second for the Trojans, batting .354 with a team-leading 30 runs scored, a .354 batting average, eight doubles and two home runs, the only of her career, that came in the same game.
Claire Demeter also hit well, batting .261 with 14 RBI and four doubles. Rilee Henry’s versatility brought value to the bench. A slap-hitter, Henry’s ability to play multiple positions gave coach Erin Cochran in-game options when making changes. A slap-hitting specialist, Henry only had nine at bats but made the most of them, getting three hits and driving in a run.
A starting catcher her first couple of seasons before the arrival of uber-talent Olivia Milton, Morgan Darnell adjusted better during her senior year to the role of backup. In 17 at bats, Darnell batted .294, doubled twice and drove in four runs.
Whenever called upon to play, Darnell showed she was prepared, and her love of the game was shown by the enthusiasm she brought to the field. Darnell’s alertness led to a big out in the season-ending 7-2 loss to host Crown Point in the regional title game. Darnell caught a Crown Point baserunner straying too far off base and whistled an accurate throw to trigger a rundown that led to the out.
“The seniors definitely will be missed,” junior shortstop Lila Miller said after the final game of 2025. “Without them, I don’t think we would have had the same energy in the dugout, on the field, and at the plate. They’re key parts of how we play. We just need to keep playing that way and make it this far again, hopefully farther.”