Balzano's bat a hit with Loyola
Anyone who went to an Elk Grove softball game last spring saw Jessica Balzano get a base hit.
That's something that can't be said about too many softball players in Illinois High School Association history.
Balzano hit safely in all 41 the Grenadiers played.
She also became a hit among colleges which were trying to attract her batting skills after she graduates.
Balzano's bat will head to the north side of Chicago.
The talented Elk Grove senior signed her letter of intent to play for Loyola University last week.
“At the beginning of the process it was hard, but as I narrowed down the schools it got easier and I realized I would fit perfectly into Loyola,” said Balzano, who plans to study elementary education. “I love the fact that it is a smaller school and easy to get around. It just made me feel comfortable and at home. The coaches also made me feel very comfortable. It also has a good education program/softball program.”
Balzano probably produced the best offensive season in school history.
According to the IHSA records book, her 41 consectutive games with a hit are fifth best in history. The record stands at 72 by Kirsten Verdun of Coal City, who played from 2007 to 2010.
Balzano set records for average (.577), on-base percentage (.626) and hits (73).
Balzano's parents Bob and Denise were both athletes at Prospect High School.
“My parents have always played competitive softball so I guess you can say I was born into it,” Jessica said. “ My parents introduced me to the game. My dad played baseball, football and wrestled at Prospect and now plays men's 16-inch softball.
“My mom played at softball, basketball and volleyball (standout athlete at Prospect) and she played travel softball.”
Jessica always dreamed of playing division I softball.
“But I never thought it would become a reality,” she said. “My hard work and dedication has definitely paid off and I have many people to thank for that.
“I feel like my parents inspired me the most, but there are many people that taught me the game, including Nelson Gord, Ron Cacini, Mike Bavcevic, Ken Grams and Len Funk. They all taught me something about the game.”
Balzano has been a three-year starter at Elk Grove for Hall of Fame coach Grams.
“I love being on the dirt staring out at the field and I just love the adrenaline rush you get from an intense game,” she said. “When you're playing the game it's like nothing else matters.”
Grams is thrilled his infielder will continue on the D-I level.
“I know this is something that has been a goal of hers since she began playing and over the years she has advanced to a point where Division I is a place at which I feel certain she can compete with success,” he said. “Jessica has continued to improve each year and I see no reason for that to change.”
Grams loved the choice of Loyola.
“It's close to home, which selfishly I like because it allows me to be able to keep watching her play,” he said. “Her aggressiveness in all parts of the game is a joy to watch and that will translate well at the Division I level.”
Football
Beloit College senior linebacker Tony Baratti (Prospect) has been selected to play in the second annual DIII Football Senior Classic at Salem Stadium in Salem, Va., on Friday night.
The Classic brings together players from 238 NCAA Division III Football teams, divided into North and South squads.
Baratti, a three-time First Team All-Midwest Conference selection, was the MWC's co-defensive player of the tear this season.
He led the MWC in tackles with 110, the third season he topped the century mark.
Ÿ Andre Anderson (Barrington) was named his conference's newcomer of the year at McNeese State in Louisiana. He transferred from Michigan State and started the season as the third-string tailback.
Ÿ JC Stickney (Barrington) is a junior at Williams College, Williamstown, Mass. Named first-team all-conference wide receiver, he averaged 72.9 yards per game.
Stickney made 6 catches for 135 yards and scored 2 touchdowns in the final game against Amherst College to go undefeated at 8-0.
Ÿ Scott Stoczynski (Hoffman Estates) was the starting defensive end for North Dakota State in its 43-17 first-round FCS playoff victory over Robert Morris. The Bison will travel to Bozeman, Montana, for their second-round game against Montana State on Saturday.
Women's basketball
Illinois Wesleyan senior Nikki Preston (Wheeling) scored a career-high 28 points as the Titans rallied from a 12-point second-half deficit to down defending champion Washington U., 73-68.
Illinois Wesleyan, which trailed 51-39 with 14:22 left in the game, was behind by a 68-66 score with 1:36 to play before Preston hit a 3-pointer to put IWU on top to stay 69-68.
Preston also connected on a career-best 11 of 12 free throw attempts. Her previous career highs were 25 points and 10 free throws against Wisconsin-Whitewater on Jan. 2, 2010.
Men's basketball
Junior Tommy Sotos (Conant) hit 6 3-point shots and scored a career-high 20 points to help lead the University of Chicago past Hanover College 84-66 at the Ratner Center.
Sotos connected on 6 of 11 attempts. His back-to-back 3-pointers capped an 11-0 run midway through the first half as the Maroons took a 28-16 lead. Another 3-pointer by Sotos gave Chicago its largest lead of the half, 41-26, at the 3:43 mark.
Women's volleyball
Memphis sophomore Altrese Hawkins (Hoffman Estates) was honored for her performance in the classroom as well as on the court, being named to the 2010 Conference USA All-Academic Volleyball Team.
Hawkins, who earns her first C-USA all-Academic recognition, has been a primary force in the Tigers' success in 2010. As the Tiger's top attacking option, Hawkins leads the team and ranks in the league's top-10 in kills (455), kills per set (3.96), attack percentage (. 313), points (492.0) and points per set (4.28). The redshirt sophomore holds a 3.68 GPA.
Men's cross country
Iowa's Jeff Thode (Conant), who placed 30th (30:21.4) in the NCAA championships in Terre Haute, Ind., earned All-America status.
Feeder program
Hersey High School will be hosting tryouts for its Junior Huskies boys feeder basketball team on Dec 11 and 12 in the Hersey Fieldhouse. Enter through the doors in the rear of the school near the tennis courts. You must live in the Hersey attendance area to play for the Junior Huskies.
On Dec. 11: time will be 1:15 p.m. to 3 p.m. for sixth graders. 3 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. for seventh graders and 5 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. for eighth graders.
On Dec 12, all levels will be from 1:15 p.m. to 3 p.m.
A player and parent meeting will follow for the 2011 Junior Huskies discussing schedules, collect fees, parental jobs and the distribution of uniforms.
For more information, contact Tom Garms @ 847-253-9758 or Jason Emery at jrhuskiesbasketball@gmail.com
Fundraiser
The Prospect girls track and field program is participating in a community grant program hosted by Liberty Mutual/Responsible Sports. Any questions can be forwarded to Pete Wintermute at pete.wintermute@d214.org.
Ÿ Please e-mail Sports Notes items to jleusch@dailyherald.com or FAX to (847) 427-1173.