Avery Miller, a talented pitcher for Naperville Central, sought to enhance her physical and fundamental strength as she geared up for her junior year. ‘I hit the gym more,’ Miller explained. ‘I did last year, but I decided to do it more this year.’
Miller committed to a rigorous routine, aiming to go to the gym at least four times a week and attending additional lessons weekly. ‘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,’ she added.
Miller also resumed hitting and pitching lessons, dedicating hours to improving her skills. This hard work yielded substantial rewards, earning her the title of the 2026 Naperville Sun Softball Player of the Year. She distinguished herself as both a pitcher and a hitter.
During her third varsity season, Miller achieved a 19-6 record with three saves and a 1.82 ERA. She accumulated 213 strikeouts in 161 2/3 innings, including seven shutouts. Her performance earned her the DuPage Valley Conference pitcher of the year, with an unbeaten 13-0 record in league play. Remarkably, Miller has not lost a conference game in two years, helping the Redhawks secure 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)
Miller’s increased power at bat also proved vital. Her all-state second-team selection highlighted her .392 batting average, seven doubles, nine home runs, and 34 RBIs, matching sophomore Lacie Williams for the team lead.
‘She had some pretty good stats as a sophomore, but she came back as a much better player,’ Naperville Central coach Andy Nussbaum reflected. ‘We’re pretty happy with that.’ Miller’s power included a walk-off two-run homer against St. Charles East on May 8.
Miller highlighted her muscle gain as a key factor for her improved performance. ‘I did better my freshman year than I did last year,’ she said, noting a previous slump. ‘It’s definitely refreshing this year to get back into hitting the ball.’
Coach Nussbaum noticed significant improvements in Miller’s pitching, particularly her reduced walks and increased strikeouts. He admired her mental toughness, stating, ‘The thing I noticed the most was she pitched pretty tough with runners on base.’ He also credited the defense for its support.
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 their record by winning five more games than in 2025 and claimed their first regional title since 2015. Initially, Miller was uncertain about the team’s prospects due to losing seniors. ‘But overall, I’m really proud of all of us for the season,’ she remarked.
Senior shortstop Natalie Lau, a Penn commit, acknowledged Miller’s leadership as a catalyst for the team’s success. ‘She’s definitely a leader in our energy and our team chemistry because we can all really rally behind her,’ Lau said, praising Miller’s reliability and team spirit.
Leave a Reply