ROCHELLE — Lady Hubs varsity softball coach Lindsay Suess was happy with how her girls performed toward the end of the 2018 season, and Suess will be looking forward to working with the juniors and underclassmen who are eligible to return next year.

The Lady Hubs finished with an overall record of 5-21. The girls defeated Dixon in the IHSA Class 3A Regional Quarterfinals for their first postseason win in three years, and they also topped DeKalb in extra innings during the regular season for Rochelle’s first conference victory in five seasons. Five wins are the most Rochelle has earned in one season since 2013.

“I thought as the players started to show their strengths in the field, our defense became stronger,” Suess said. “I would like for us to continue having quality at-bats, and I want to see the players take more swings at better pitches. I would like to see us make the routine plays and then the big plays.”

Rochelle’s senior class played a large part of the team’s success this year. Outfielder Britney Salinas led the Lady Hubs in several offensive categories including batting average (.357), hits (25), runs (12) and doubles (4). Infielder Teddi Hacaga and freshman pitcher Bella Lodico tied for a team-high nine RBIs. Salinas, who will play softball at Knox College next year, received All-Conference First Team recognition by the Northern Illinois Big 12. Hacaga earned an All-Conference Honorable Mention.

“The seniors were very valuable,” Suess said. “Britney was a two-time All-Conference player and an important lead-off batter for us. Teddi took care of our catching over the last three years before helping anchor our infield this year. I will miss the positive attitudes of our seniors and their desire to always get better.”

Other graduating seniors include Sarena Abdallah, Alex Ferrari, Johnice Collins, Faith Roush and Jessie Meyers, who will be playing softball at Kishwaukee College next year. Juniors who could return to the Lady Hubs next season are Becca Bunger, Emilee Dueringer, Macy Luxton, Maddi O’Rorke and Mandi Lamb. Sophomore pitcher Ally Reish and Lodico, who tossed a team-high 103 1/3 innings and recorded 103 strikeouts to just 29 walks, are also eligible to return.

“I think all the juniors and underclassmen stood out,” Suess said. “Bella took the role as our pitcher and stepped into it nicely, and our juniors helped create our infield. I’m looking for each of them to step up in the batter’s box and the infield next year.”