FRANKFORT, IL — Frankfort's Hickory Creek Middle School girls softball team completed another successful season, and finished third place in the IESA Class 3A state finals.
The team defeated Manteno, 8-1, in the first round at the state finals. Hickory Creek then lost to Barrington's Prairie, 3-6. Barrington went on to win the state championship.
In the third-place game, Hickory Creek defeated Geneseo, 7-1.
Hickory Creek is coached by Mitch Stein and Erin Nemeth. Stein was named the 2025 IESA Girls 3A softball coach of the year.
The team continued a very successful streak with its finish this year. Hickory Creek has qualified for the state tournament eight times over the past decade, the District said.
"This team played inspired softball all season," Coach Stein told Patch. "These ladies have been with Coach Nemeth and I for three years and it was a fitting way to finish out their time here at HCMS. Our pitching was unbelievable down the stretch and our line-up hit all season long. We are proud of how they played and also how they represented Hickory Creek."
The team roster includes: eighth graders Aria Cabrales, Makenzie Frantz, Piper Friedrich, Taylor Gardner, Demi Hartmann, Emerson Kirkman, Gianna Labriola, Evelyn Nelson, Nora Novak, Kaylee Sterling, Aubrey Stevens and Jaqueline Zdanek, and seventh graders Adalyn Edwards and Brynna Gebhardt.
IESA also awards outstanding sportsmanship pins to one player from each team that plays in the third-place game. The District said Piper Friederich received the pin.
The team went 18-4 for the 2026 season, also winning the regional championship and sectional championship.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Frankfort Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.