Woodlands Academy infielder gets All-State softball honor again

The Illinois Softball Coaches Association (ISCA) has filled out the rosters for its 2025 Class 1-A All-State teams, which include the name of a Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart Wildcat. Shortstop Evelyn Twohig, a rising junior, is among the association’s Second Team selections.

Twohig, who also was honored as the Independent School League’s Softball Player of the Year and the Wildcats’ Most Valuable Player, had a .522 batting average this past school year. Other season highlights include 17 RBIs, 12 runs, two home runs, five doubles, six stolen bases and a 1.0 slugging percentage.

During her freshman year at Woodlands Academy, Twohig achieved ISCA All-State Third Team honors.

Head coach Fred Valdez is understandably proud of his player’s two consecutive All-State designations. He sees them as significant endorsements of Twohig’s consistent hard work on developing her skills, “wanting to be at the highest levels of sport and wanting in her heart to continue her softball career in college with priority to build her education to succeed in life.”

Valdez further noted that as team captain this past season, Twohig “played a huge role on offense and defense, carrying her team on her shoulders.” Twohig’s leadership, sportsmanship and sharing her knowledge of the game with her teammates were among other contributions Valdez cited.

In looking ahead to next season, Valdez expects Twohig to continue leadership and sportsmanship roles during her junior year, “to inspire the incoming freshman and (returning) sophomores as well as continuing the big role of leading her team for the past two seasons.”

According to ISCA, it can receive upwards of 250 Class 1-A nominations in a given year. While a player’s batting average is among the factors considered in naming All-State team members, there is more to it than that. The association also looks at such things as the strength of schedule of a nominee’s team, post-season success, team record and other measures it can use to identify All-State players.

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Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart is a Catholic, independent, day-and-boarding, college-preparatory school for young women of all faiths in grades nine through 12. Founded in Chicago in 1858 and located in Lake Forest since 1904, Woodlands is part of a worldwide network of Sacred Heart Schools that spans the United States and 40 other countries on six continents. To learn more, visit woodlandsacademy.org.