Illinois Stars 18U

Welcome Rhaya DePaolo @rhaya_depaolo to the Scout #Softball Chicago National Showcase. DePaolo is a '27 1B prospect from Bourbonnais, IL. Rhaya is a plus defender and her ability to handle the pitch up in the zone makes her a power threat at the next level.

Unfortunately our community was hit by a massive tornado and some severe storms Tuesday night. That damage has forced our school to close, canceled practices, and the cancellation of our first two games, as everyone focuses on recovery. Even without team practices, I am dedicating time to get extra work in and prepare for when our season is able to start. I believe our team will come out stronger together !🫶🏼💪🏼☘️ @bmacsoftball @ILStars18U @CoastRecruitsSB @DirectRecruits @recruitingArena @SBRRetweets #StudentAthlete #KankakeeStrong #FightingIrish #IrishFamily #StrongerTogether #FightingIrishSoftball

Welcome Avery Moutrey @AveryMoutrey5 to the Scout #Softball Chicago National Showcase. Moutrey is a '27 3B prospect from Bourbonnais, IL. Avery is a highlight reel waiting to happen at 3B, playing a lock down 3B and is equally impressive with the bat.

Thank you to the Daily Journal for the mention in their season preview. Honored to return as an All-Area & All-State hitter. 2027 | 1B | 5’8” | Bishop McNamara Excited to lead our lineup this season. #SoftballRecruiting #fightingirish #herecometheirish #classof2027 @bmacsoftball @ILStars18U @TDJsports

✝️Blessed beyond words. Inducted into National Honor Society today and officially fully released after surgery and 4 months of rehab! 🙌🏼 So thankful for everyone who supported me through the process. Mentally and physically stronger than ever 💪🏼Excited for what’s next! 🥎💚 #NHS #StudentAthlete #ComebackSeason #Classof27 #Uncommitted #ScholarAthlete #TrustTheProcess @bmacsoftball @ILStars18U @CoastRecruitsSB @recruitingArena @DirectRecruits

Grateful to be named a returning All-Area player by the Daily Journal! Last season was special. Blessed to represent Bishop McNamara and excited for what’s ahead. Let’s run it back. 💚🥎 #GoIrish #AllArea #Recruiting #ClassOf2027 #herecometheirish @bmacsoftball @ILStars18U @CoastRecruitsSB @DirectRecruits @recruitingArena

Signing Day for @lirwin2026 today! Congratulations Liliana on your commitment to @millikinsb, were excited to watch you play at the next level! Go Big Blue!

Signing Day for @Maddiesimms2026! Congratulations Mads on your commitment to Parkland College! Excited for your future! Go Cobras! @CobrasParkland

Happy National Girls and Women in Sports Day!

docs.google.com/document/d/1Gy… ICA Softball 2026 Preseason Polls. This is not exact science nor perfect. Just a place to start for the excitement of the upcoming softball season. 23 days away.

Got up extra early this morning to get some swings in before school! Worked on extension and full swing trying to stay through the ball more. Ready for school ball season to start up🥎 @LSementi @emander22 @PNWSoftball @hartz_gretta @sut24 @lizjagielski @CoachC_Meg @UIC_Softball @NPUSoftball @QUHawksSB @CoachBeckyPearl @aliacelmartinez @Coach_NatNat @Abbers410 @CoachWallace29 @RU_LakerSB @e_skinner28 @CoachTSeg @LibertySB @CoachSorden @CODSoftball @BadgerSoftball

130 schools said no. He led the losingest program in college football history to a national championship anyway. Fernando Mendoza was a 2-star recruit from Miami. He tried to walk on at his hometown school. They passed. So did FIU. So did FAU. So did everyone else. At 17, he was sitting in his bedroom, crying over a silent recruiting inbox—after driving to 18 camps with his dad and sending highlights to more than 100 programs. Not one FBS offer. His only option? Yale. No scholarship. No NFL path. Everyone told him to be “realistic.” “Know your place.” “Be grateful.” He didn’t listen. Because Mendoza understood something most people miss: The worst outcome isn’t failing. It’s never getting the chance to try. Two weeks before signing day in 2022, his phone rang. Cal needed a body. One offer. Out of 134 schools. He took it. He arrived as the third-string quarterback. Spent a year on the scout team. Lost his first four starts. Got sacked 41 times behind a broken offensive line. Still got up. Every time. Then Cal brought in a transfer instead of building around him. So Mendoza left the only school that had ever said yes. He transferred to Indiana—the losingest program in college football history. People laughed. “Career suicide.” “Graveyard program.” “Nobody wins there.” One coach told him something different: “I’m going to make you the best Fernando Mendoza possible.” That was enough. Mendoza wasn’t just playing for football. His mother has battled multiple sclerosis for 18 years. Before every snap, he thought of her. “My mother is my why.” Indiana went 16–0. Beat six Top-10 teams. Won their first Big Ten title since 1945. Mendoza threw 41 touchdowns. Won the Heisman—first in school history. First Cuban-American to ever do it. Then came the title game. Miami. Near his hometown. Fourth-and-4. Season on the line. Quarterback draw. The kid 134 schools rejected spun through defenders and dove into the end zone. Game over. Indiana—national champions. The losingest program became the best team in America. All because a 17-year-old refused to believe “no” was the end. Rankings don’t decide your ceiling. Gatekeepers don’t write your ending. Being overlooked isn’t a verdict—it’s a starting point. Sometimes all you need is one shot… and the courage to bet on yourself when nobody else will. Don’t quit. Credit: Barclay Mullins

First time back in the cage since ankle surgery in November! Still working through PT and recovery, but staying consistent with my work and trusting the process. Focused on long term health and continued development. **Narration in video by teammate Lili!😂💪 #recovery #StudentAthlete #Workingprogress @IllinoisStars @bmacsoftball @DirectRecruits @recruitingArena @SBRRetweets @CoastRecruitsSB @rachelfolden25 @JenGrim_20

Thank you @WarriorSoftball for a great camp and visit this weekend!! I had an amazing experience!! Huge thanks to head coach @hartz_gretta for all she does!! Can’t wait for the future!! Go Warriors!!

Congratulations to our @lirwin2026 on her decision to continue her academic and softball career at @millikinsb! Go get em Liliana! Go Big Blue!

Congratulations to our @Maddiesimms2026 on her decision to continue her academic and softball career at @CobrasParkland! So excited Mads! Go Cobras!

🚨74mph Exit Velocity🚨

I had an amazing experience today at the @CobrasParkland softball camp!! Huge thank you to @LSementi as well as the rest of the coaching staff and players for holding this. Can’t wait to see what the future brings!! @AlaynaSykes8

Happy New Year! 2026 is here, make it a great one!