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March 21, 2022

Huntley senior Jori Heard takes a swing for a sixth inning home run against Fremd, The hit gave the Red Raiders a 2-1 lead and they went on to win 3-2. Heard struck out 18 Vikings. Huntley had a 1-1 record.
Steve Peterson
Huntley senior Jori Heard takes a swing for a sixth inning home run against Fremd, The hit gave the Red Raiders a 2-1 lead and they went on to win 3-2. Heard struck out 18 Vikings. Huntley had a 1-1 record.

Sports • March 21, 2022

Standards high for HHS softball

By

HUNTLEY – The Huntley Red Raiders’ softball team is led into battle by two all-state team members and two all-Fox Valley Conference selections from last season. HHS is coming off a 35-2 record and third place, a 4-3 win over Minooka, in the Class 4A state tournament last season,

Returning to the ISCA f fourth-ranked team are all-state team members senior Reese Hunkins and junior outfielder Katie Mitchell.

All-FVC members back are senior pitcher Jori Heard and junior outfielder Clara Hudgens.

“I’m excited for this season,” Hunkins, who will attend the University of Illinois, said. “Last season, we were disappointed to lose in the semifinals but were ready to take third place.”

Mitchell, meanwhile, is an early signee for Loyola University. “We’re going to be good when the chemistry starts clicking,” Mitchell said.

Heard, a Valparaiso University recruit, takes over the starting pitcher duties following the graduation of Briana Bower, who is part of the Mississippi State rotation. Heard started the season with a 15-strikeout performance in the  opener, a 2-0 loss to St. Charles North.

HHS head coach Mark Petryniec said Heard pitched well in the opener.

“It was a tough game with two ranked teams,” the coach said.

Another college-bound senior is Zoe Dougherty, an outfielder-infielder who inked with Cardinal Stritch University, Lauren Ryan, an outfielder, is a fourth senior leader.

“Each season is new but we are fortunate to be able to draw from our experiences that got us to the State Series. We put together an extremely difficult schedule to help us prepare for the conference and post-season,” Petryniec said. “Our season goals are to use the regular season to prepare us for the last seven games of the season. If it all works out, hopefully we can get back downstate.”

Juniors and sophomores are  back and look to contribute as Huntley will try and defend its FVC title.

The juniors are: third baseman Madison Smith; outfielder Alyssa Ekstrom and sophomore catcher Meghan Ryan.

Also on the roster are 11th graders pitcher Julianna Maude; outfielder Alyssa Roos and infielder Christina Smith. Ellie Winter is a sophomore outfielder.

Petryniec, who coached the Red Raiders to the Class 4A state title in 2019, won with a 1-0 triumph over St. Charles East, is in his 18th season. He has a 384-228 career record.

“We look forward to competing in the FVC and expect to see a battle each contest,”  Petryniec said. “Huntley has been fortunate to have great players that buy into the program’s philosophy. They work hard in the off-season and come into the high school season ready to compete.. The players take pride  in not only representing their school but their community.”