There’s a lot to like about a Dupo High School softball squad that returns several key players from a 13-10 season one year ago.

“They went through a lot last season as a young team, and came out the other side better for it,” Dupo head coach Keith Czapla said.

A strong junior class will help lead the Tigers this spring, starting with all-conference catcher Keara Prater and middle infielder Kaitlyn Roberts.

Prater hit .324 last season with 23 runs in addition to a doing solid job behind the plate. Roberts hit .361 with 21 RBIs in 2025. 

There are also a few super sophomores set to shine for the Tigers in 2026.

Kylie Kloess was named all-conference last season after hitting .403 with 16 stolen bases. In the first two games already this season, she’s 5-for-7 at the plate. 

Addison Thompson had a stellar freshman season in the pitching circle last spring, posting a 1.55 ERA with 104 strikeouts in 94-plus innings to earn an all-conference nod. She also hit .319 with seven doubles.

Yet another sophomore braced for success in 2026 is Kylie Pierce, who hit .417 last season and is already 4-for-6 at the plate in 2026. 

Chloe Thornton, another sophomore, is also expected to make positive impact in the lineup this season, according to the head coach.

One of the strengths for Dupo softball, Czapla said, is a coaching staff including Tony Hempen and Vern Thornton. 

“I believe the fact that these girls really seem to care about each other,” Czapla said. “They push each other every day in practice.”

Czapla did say a weakness for his squad will be a lack of depth, as no newcomers added to positions lost last season.

Overall, though, Czapla feels his team can make some waves this spring.

“Expectations for this season are to compete for a conference championship and again build off of last year’s progress,” he said, “and continue to hopefully build the foundation for what we would like to achieve with this program.”