Spring Scope-Out: Tri-Valley headlines HOIC in softball with Tremont, Eureka eager to keep rising

Eureka's Rylee Dare looks in before a pitch during a 2025 game against Dee-Mack. Jonathan Michel/Clutch Sports Media

Few things are ever guaranteed in the Heart of Illinois Conference but the 2026 season in softball looks to be plenty entertaining. 

Multiple teams in the Peoria and Bloomington/Normal area are packed with potential, including Heyworth and Tremont who both have high ceilings after taking a year to build up their experience. Eureka took a big leap last season and boasts one of the top two-way players in the conference while Dee-Mack’s Byrkleigh Kraft and Tri-Valley’s Zoey Whittaker are two of the top power hitters in all of Central Illinois. 

With seven starters and many all-conference players back for Tri-Valley, the Vikings look like the team to beat in the early part of the season but anything can happen in one of the most competitive conferences around.

Below is Clutch Sports Media’s spring scope-out for Heart of Illinois Conference softball with primers on CSM coverage area teams Dee-Mack, El Paso-Gridley, Eureka, Fieldcrest, Heyworth, Tremont and Tri-Valley, highlighting what and who to watch out for in the 2026 season.

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