Three All-Region Honorees Highlight Lady Cavs Softball Season

KANKAKEE, Ill. — Kankakee Community College softball finished the 2026 season with a 23-21 overall record, highlighted by a strong home record, a postseason run in the Region 4 tournament, and three players earning All-Region recognition.

The Cavaliers were especially strong at home, finishing 17-4, and put together one of their best stretches of the season during April. KCC won 12 of 14 games from April 6 through April 24, including sweeps over Triton College, Milwaukee Area Technical College, Morton College, Elgin Community College, and Oakton Community College.

KCC's offense was a major strength throughout the year. The Cavaliers hit .319 as a team with 363 hits, 79 doubles, 14 triples, 15 home runs, 200 RBIs, and 230 runs scored. KCC also created pressure on the bases, stealing 87 bases in 96 attempts.

The Cavaliers opened postseason play with a 5-2 win over Moraine Valley Community College, led by a complete-game effort from Hope McLeod and timely offense throughout the lineup. After falling to Rock Valley, KCC responded with a 5-4 walk-off win over Moraine Valley to stay alive in the Region 4 tournament before the season ended against Rock Valley.

KCC had three players earn All-Region 4 honors. Brittyn Bailey was named Second Team All-Region 4 after leading the Cavaliers with a .390 batting average, eight home runs, 30 RBIs, 74 total bases, and a .740 slugging percentage. Bailey also scored 23 runs, added five doubles and three triples, and stole nine bases.

Hope McLeod earned Third Team All-Region 4 honors as a pitcher after leading KCC in the circle. McLeod finished with a 2.63 ERA over 114.2 innings, striking out 195 batters while allowing 43 earned runs. She appeared in 30 games, threw four complete games, recorded one shutout, and also contributed offensively with a .291 average, eight doubles, two triples, one home run, and 21 RBIs.

Anna Stokes also earned Third Team All-Region 4 recognition after a strong season in the infield. Stokes hit .314 with 38 hits, 11 doubles, one triple, 28 runs scored, 10 RBIs, and nine stolen bases. She was a consistent presence in the Cavaliers' lineup and started 37 games.

KCC received production from several other players throughout the season. Grace Guenthner hit .387 with nine doubles, 21 RBIs, and a .538 slugging percentage. Emma Powers played in 40 games and finished with 45 hits, 28 runs, nine doubles, 17 RBIs, and a team-high 14 stolen bases.

Sophia Culp hit .344 with 22 hits, 17 runs, and 11 RBIs, while Addison Whitaker added a .310 average and nine RBIs. Ann Sawyer drove in 26 runs and added seven doubles, two triples, and two home runs. Kayna Nelson provided steady work behind the plate, finishing with 204 putouts and a .969 fielding percentage.

In the circle, McLeod led the pitching staff, while Bracie Jackson, Bethany Dachsteiner, Madison James, and Sydney Jemar all logged innings for the Cavaliers. Jackson threw 73.2 innings and struck out 76, while Dachsteiner appeared in 25 games and recorded two saves.

The Region 4 Division II field was led by Rock Valley College and Bryant & Stratton College, who won the district championships. KCC faced several of the top teams in the region throughout the season and remained competitive in postseason play with two tournament wins.

Although the season ended short of a district title, the Cavaliers finished above .500, protected their home field, produced one of the stronger offensive seasons in the region, and placed three players on the All-Region team. The 2026 season gave KCC softball several strong individual performances and a solid foundation to continue building from.