Brooke White is part of another wave of talented freshmen for Antioch softball.
But White, who is already one of the top players in Lake County, is like a tsunami.
“Brooke is by definition a five-star player,” Antioch coach Anthony Rocco said.
White is batting .613 with six doubles, a triple, a home run, nine RBIs, 11 runs scored and seven stolen bases for the five-time defending Northern Lake County Conference champion Sequoits (10-2, 3-0), even as she has adjusted to a new position. A shortstop in the past, White is playing second base this season and has a .973 fielding percentage.
“She is an elite defender with an explosive arm,” Rocco said. “She can play anywhere on the infield or outfield for us if needed. Offensively, her batting average is 100 points higher than our next closest player. She has shown flashes of power and is exceptionally fast on the base paths. Physically, she has great length and athleticism. She will have a very busy Sept. 1 in two years.
“The one unmeasurable skill that she has is her maturity and composure. She came into the program like a seasoned veteran.”
But White, who does play for an elite travel program, the Beverly Bandits, is a varsity rookie. She’s one of four freshmen — along with pitcher Pearl Wenzel, left fielder Rylee Dunlavy and first baseman Kylie Pfleeger — making a mark for Antioch.
White, who bats ninth, has saved some of her best games for the toughest opponents. She went 3-for-3 with two RBIs against Huntley on March 21; went 3-for-3 with two stolen bases against Loyola pitcher Hunter Lewis, a Northwestern recruit, on March 30; and hit a game-tying double off Mundelein pitcher Shae Johnson in Antioch’s 2-1 win on April 4. She also went 3-for-3 against Lakes on Tuesday.
“I feel like I’ve been doing really well this year,” White said. “I’ve been working hard at the plate and just trying to stay confident and see the ball. In the field, I feel more comfortable and consistent every game. My hitting coach had me working on a few things that I think are starting to click.”
Three years ago, Rocco touted a strong group of seven freshmen, including four starters, that he anticipated would lead the team to new heights. Since then, the Sequoits have become a state powerhouse, finishing in second place in Class 3A in 2023 and 2024 and winning their fifth straight sectional title in 2025.
Five from that group — Claire Schuyler, Samantha Hillner, Addie Webb, Mia Bellucci and Kailyn Bockwoldt — will be playing in college next season.
Webb, a Bradley recruit, has offered White advice based on her experience.
“The one thing I wish I was told as a freshman that I tell her is ‘just have fun,’” Webb said. “Everyone plays best when they are having fun and playing loose. I think that’s the biggest thing people forget, especially coming up to the varsity.”
Schuyler, a Minnesota recruit, has told White the same thing.
“I have been focusing a lot on trying to make the game about fun for her,” Schuyler said. “Being a freshman on the varsity can definitely bring out a lot of nerves and anxiousness, so I like to remind her to just go out and play. Brooke is effortlessly talented.”
Hillner, a UIC recruit, thinks White is handling the situation well, saying White plays with a “phenomenal mindset.”
“Brooke stays very calm and doesn’t let anything get to her,” Hillner said.
In fact, White is looking forward to a lot more fun with the Sequoits.
“I’m really excited about the future of our program,” she said. “We have a lot of young talent and a strong bond as a team, so I think the next three-plus years are going to be really fun and competitive.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.
