Avery Miller’s Impressive Season Elevates Naperville Central Softball

Avery Miller, a pitcher for Naperville Central, was already a strong player. Determined to become physically and fundamentally stronger, she increased her training efforts as she prepared for her junior season.

“I hit the gym more,” Miller explained. “I did last year, but I decided to do it more this year.” Her commitment was evident. “I tried to go to the gym at least four times a week and then my other lessons one time a week,” Miller shared. “And then if I had some extra time, if I want to get some reps in, I’ll go into my garage and throw into a net.”

Beyond gym work, Miller improved other aspects of her game. “I started hitting lessons again and then pitching lessons,” she said. “I just put in a bunch of work, and I think it’s really refreshing to see it pay off and for it to be successful.” Miller’s dedication paid off significantly, earning her the 2026 Naperville Sun Softball Player of the Year honor. She excelled both as a pitcher and a hitter.

Miller ended her third varsity season with a 19-6 record, including three saves and an ERA of 1.82. She achieved 213 strikeouts in 161 2/3 innings, delivering seven shutouts. Her accomplishments led to her being named the DuPage Valley Conference pitcher of the year after achieving a 13-0 record in league play. Impressively, she maintained a two-year streak without a conference game loss, and the Redhawks (25-10, 15-0) secured their second consecutive DVC title.

Naperville Central pitcher Avery Miller reacts after recording the final out against Batavia in a Class 4A Naperville Central Regional semifinal on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.

(Jon Cunningham / Naperville Sun)

Milner also showcased her increased power at the plate. Recognized as an all-state second-team pick, she batted .392 with seven doubles and achieved a team-high nine home runs and 34 RBIs, tying with sophomore Lacie Williams for team leader.

“She had some pretty good stats as a sophomore, but she came back as a much better player,” said Naperville Central coach Andy Nussbaum. “We’re pretty happy with that. We saw more extra-base hits, more home runs, especially in key situations.” One significant home run was a walk-off two-run shot that secured a 10-9 victory over St. Charles East on May 8, a feat Miller credited to her increased strength.

“I did better my freshman year than I did last year,” Miller admitted. “Last year, I had a little bit of a slump, so it’s definitely refreshing this year to get back into hitting the ball and seeing the ball.”

Nussbaum noted Miller’s pitching improvements, including fewer walks and more strikeouts, alongside better defensive support. “The thing that I noticed the most was she pitched pretty tough with runners on base,” Nussbaum noted. “There were games where she would give up one run and the other team left eight or nine runners on base. It’s a credit to her mental toughness to get past those kinds of things.”

Naperville Central’s Avery Miller hits the ball during a Class 4A Naperville Central Regional semifinal against Batavia on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.

(Jon Cunningham / Naperville Sun)

The Redhawks improved by winning five more games than in 2025 and clinched their first regional title since 2015, the last time they achieved at least 25 victories. Reflecting on this, Miller shared, “I think me personally, just at first, I was a bit doubtful, not because everyone is bad or anything, but literally just because we lost seniors and we had to kind of rebuild our team. That was kind of a concern. But overall, I’m really proud of all of us for the season.”

Senior shortstop Natalie Lau, a Penn recruit, highlighted Miller’s impact on the team. “She’s definitely a leader in our energy and our team chemistry because we can all really rally behind her,” Lau said. “She’s very reliable, so it’s really great to see her succeed, especially for the last three years, just being able to be her teammate. She truly is one of the best teammates someone can ask for. So it was really cool to have one last season with her.”

Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.