Now it’s their turn.
First baseman Betsy Jack and most of her nine fellow seniors on this year’s roster toiled largely in the background for a record-setting season in 2025 as Oswego won the program’s first state title.
“I’m looking at it more positively, I think,” said Jack, who appeared in just nine varsity games as a junior. “Obviously, there’s still going to be competition, no matter what, because we have a lot of athletes on our team.
“I’m just looking to earn my spot, do everything I can and be one that’s out there competing.”
As far as that goes, so far, so good.
The 6-foot Jack, who said she got a late start in softball and doesn’t consider herself a natural at the sport, has made herself into a player.
She hit .417 last season in limited play, going 5-for-12 with one double and five RBIs. She’s off to a strong start this spring, leading with a team-best .563 batting average (9-for-16) and three RBIs.
After graduating 10 impactful seniors, Oswego (1-4) has struggled. The Panthers beat West Aurora 6-1 on Wednesday after losing its first four games. A nonconference game Thursday with Downers Grove South was postponed by rain.
The Panthers left Friday for a spring break trip to the St. Louis metro area, where they will play three Illinois teams in Columbia, Troy Triad and Edwardsville and take in a Missouri-St. Louis game, the alma mater of coach Annie Scaramuzzi.
Pitcher Jaelynn Anthony, a Purdue commit, and shortstop Kennedy Gengler, a Waubonsee commit, are experienced returnees. The remaining eight seniors, including Jack, have limited high school experience.
That doesn’t mean they lack talent, though.
“We didn’t have a single outside practice before our first game,” Scaramuzzi said. “So it’s like we were struggling a bit on defense, particularly in the outfield because we hadn’t practiced relays and we hadn’t seen a live ball hit in the air yet.
“We’ve changed the lineup pretty much every single game so far, just playing with some different things. Obviously, we’re strong on the mound. It’s a matter of finding which combinations work best for us.”
Jack, who played behind third team all-state selection Rikka Ludvigson last season, believes the win over West Aurora was a big plus.
“Our bats were really strong and everyone is starting to see the ball better,” Jack said.
Jack has committed to Spoon River, a NJCAA Division I school outside of Peoria that offers financial assistance. All 10 of the seniors for Oswego have finalized plans to play in college.
“I worked really hard in the offseason and went to the cages and tried to hit every day,” said Jack, who plays travel with the Oswego Liberty. “I knew nothing was given, even with those 10 seniors from last year gone. You still have to fight.”
Her parents, Steven and Tracy, are from Morton and the family was familiar with Spoon River because one of her grandfathers played baseball, ping pong and golf at the college.
She went to a camp there that her dad found, which led to the offer from coach John Bassett.
“Betsy was always looking for the opportunity to contribute,” Scaramuzzi said. “She was here over the summer with her dad all the time, putting in extra work. She wants that spot.
“She’s a worker and takes nothing for granted.”
Jack moved up this week to third in Oswego’s batting order.
“Seeing results has driven me to be better,” she said.
Scaramuzzi expects the same from this year’s team.
“Being the reigning state champs doesn’t mean we’re gonna show up and win every game,” Scaramuzzi said. “In fact, it’s going to be harder because everyone is throwing their ace pitcher and best lineup at us. We’re taking that as a privilege.”
