Softball: Scouting Lake County
EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC
CARMEL CATHOLIC
Coach: Jason Raymond (10th season)
Last season: 13-21-1
Key losses: DP Julia Hart
Returning players: Sr. 1B Sally Snarski, Sr. CF Kelley Dodge, Sr. LF Madeline Felipez, Jr. P Erika Schoenfeld, Jr. OF/IF Skyler Zak, So. P Nicole Bitter, So. SS Kathleen Felicelli, So. 2B Amy Abel, So. OF Abby Andrejek, So. IF/OF Erin Pauly
Newcomers:So. OF Catie Nelson, Fr. 3B Jenny Behan, Fr. C Madi DeMarco
Outlook: The Corsairs advance to a regional final last season, and coach Jason Raymond said his Corsairs are looking to build off that experience. They return nearly their whole roster and every starter from last year. “We look to be a strong offensive team this year,” Raymond said. Seniors Madeline Felipez, Kelley Dodge and Sally Snarski will lead an offense that last season producd a team batting average of .308 with 22 home runs. All-area selections Dodge and Snarski led the Corsairs in batting average, with Snarski slugging a school-record 10 home runs. Junior Erika Schoenfeld returns for her third year on varsity and looks to be the leader of the pitching staff. Skyler Zak and newcomer Catie Nelson look to provide some pop in the order, Raymond said. Nelson is one of six sophomores, five of whom played up on varsity last season. The sophomore class is led offensively by middle infielders Kathleen Felicelli, who batted .336 with 4 home runs last year, and Amy Abel, who hit .333 with 2 homers. As a freshman, pitcher Nicole Bitter led the team with 103 strikeouts and a 3.87 ERA. Abby Andrejek and Erin Pauly look to parlay their freshman varsity experience into strong sophomore campaigns. Third baseman Jenny Behan and catcher Madi DeMarco give the Corsairs two promising freshmen.
NORTH SUBURBAN PRAIRIE
ANTIOCH
Coach: Anthony Rocco (first season)
Last season: 26-9
Key losses: P Olivia Duehr (Northwestern), SS Jess Liszka (Concordia), LF Sam Kozenski (Aurora), 1B Cat Dinklenburg (Augustana)
Returning players: Sr. C/3B Amber Mysliwiec, Jr. 1B/P Katie Keefe, Jr. P/OF Katie Phillips, Jr. 3B Kaylene Ressler, Jr. OF/DP Amber Larson, So. OF/1B Sage Keyes, So. 2B Mackenzie Thomas
Newcomers: Fr. OF Hannah Skog, Fr. SS Jessica Petersen, Fr. OF Taylor Schiltz, Fr. OF/C Jessica Tyrell
Outlook: A new era begins for the Sequoits, who lost a pair of stars — pitcher Olivia Duehr (Northwestern) and head coach Jeff Tyka (Loyola, assistant coach) — to colleges. Tylka coached the Sequoits to 91 wins in three seasons and a third-place finish in the 2010 Class 3A state tournament. Duehr, who slugged as impressively as she pitched the last three years, was a two-time captain of the Daily Herald Lake County All-Area team. The new coach, Anthony Rocco goes by simply “Rocco” and comes from a coaching background. His uncle, Larry Rocco, coached at Riverside-Brookfield and Hinsdale South and is in the Illinois high school coaches hall of a fame. Tom Rocco, Anthony's dad, coached softball at Morton College. While Anthony played football at the College of DuPage and Rockford College, he's coached softball at St. Joseph, Ridgewood (two seasons as head coach) and Jacobs. He's in his first year as a teacher at North Chicago, after being Jacobs' JV coach last spring. Rocco's first Antioch squad features Judson-recruit Amber Mysliwiec, who's starting her third varsity season behind the plate. Mysliwiec and junior first baseman Katie Keefe were all-area players last season. Keefe suffered a thumb injury a few weeks ago but stroked a single in the Sequoits' season-opening loss at Cary-Grove last week. “I thought she'd be a little rusty,” Rocco said. “She's got a good eye.” Junior Katie Phillips, who was the Sequoits' No. 2 pitcher last season and started in center field, inherits Duehr's spot in the circle. Junior Kaylene Ressler returns after an all-conference season, while outfielders Amber Larson and Sage Keyes were also starters last season. Freshman center fielder Hannah Skoog is a slapper and starts the season in the leadoff spot. Shortstop Jessica Petersen and outfielder Taylor Schultz are two more athletic freshmen. Another freshman, Jessica Tyrell, is out temporarily with a broken wrist. “We could have four freshmen starting,” Rocco said. The Sequoits, who are seeking their fourth straight NSC Prairie title, won the conference championship twice under Tylka. Rocco knows the Sequoits will be a different team this season but is confident they can be competitive. “Between losing those Division I players (Duehr and others the last three seasons) and Tylka, there's going to be some adjustment,” Rocco said. “Now we're going to have more of a team effort. I'm also pushing for more of a defensive effort. We got to have the best defense possible behind Katie Phillips.”
GRANT
Coach: Mike Dolezal (seventh season)
Last season: 13-19
Key losses: OF Kelly Kucharski, SS Hannah Graham, 1B Nikki Nazario
Returning players: Sr. P Rachel DePouw, Sr. C/IF Amber Smith, Sr. 2B Molly Smith, Sr. OF Jessica Catinella, So. 3B Jamie Reiser, Sr. OF/IF Vanessa Valadez
Newcomers: So. P/IF/OF Caitlin Moran, Jr. C/IF Kayla Ohwat, Sr. IF Rae Anne Sutchek, Jr. OF Taylor Rossi, Jr. OF Jane Williams, Jr. OF/C Megan Funk, Sr. IF Bree Lundman
Outlook: Pitching and defense have allowed the Bulldogs to produce double-digit wins year in and year out, and the formula should do so again this spring. Two-time all-area senior Rachel DePouw will serve as the team's ace for the second year in a row. She along with twins Amber and Molly Smith will be playing their fourth season on varsity. They should provide veteran leadership along with outfielder Jessica Catinell and sophomore Jamie Reiser, who started on varsity last spring. “We'll be OK,” coach Mike Dolezal said. “It's nice to have three starters (on varsity) for four years. That experience should help us. Hopefully we can hit a little better than we did last year. Defensively, we always seem to come around.”
LAKES
Coach: Bill Hamill (fourth season)
Last season: 20-11-2
Key losses: P Shannon Cooley, OF Jasmine Rivera
Returning players: Jr. 3B Jess Bruggen, Sr. SS Jamie Dykstra, Jr. 2B Kaela Bryant, Sr. 1B/3B Sara Braden, Jr. 1B/3B Marissa Thackston, Jr. C Meghan Milewski, So. P/1B Taylor Dishinger, Sr. OF Megan Massie, Jr. 1B/C Lindsay Meverden
Newcomers: Fr. OF Cassidy Schaar, So. OF Kate Hohenstatt, So. OF Montana Mang, Jr. P Paige Olker, So IF/OF Kelsey Kohler
Season outlook: Coach Bill Hamill has had the Eagles going in the right direction since he took over. They hit 20 wins for the third season in a row, but will have to win this spring without four-year ace Shannon Cooley. The good news is, the Eagles return three all-conference players in veteran corner infielder Sara Braden, shortstop Jamie Dykstra and catcher Meghan Milewski. Junior infielder Lindsay Meverden made honorable mention all-NSC last spring. Sophomore Taylor Dishinger and junior newcomer Paige Olker will pitch. “We should be OK,” Hamill said. “We will hit with anyone, and the defense is coming around. We are young in the circle, which could be good or bad. Ask me again in June.”
ROUND LAKE
Coach: Travin Kozel (fourth season)
Last season: 2-18
Key losses: IF Lauren Dilollo, 3B Sydnee Miller
Returning players: So. P/OF Kristin Pierce, Sr. P/OF Jocelyn Hernandez, Sr. SS Clarissa Trujillo, Sr. 2B Sara Plasencia, Sr. C Lourdes Delarosa, Sr. IF Trudie Magallon, Sr. OF Zakiya Pierce
Newcomers: Jr. 3B Meredith Soto, So. C/1B Ashley Carter, Fr. P/1B Ashley Wegner, Fr. OF Brittany Berry, Fr. OF Amanda Olson, Sr. IF Hannah Samways
Outlook: The Panthers feature three freshmen and two sophomores, including pitcher/outfielder Kristin Pierce, who played varsity last spring. So far, so good. The Panthers split a nonconference doubleheader with Woodstock last Saturday, winning Game 2 after dropping their season opener. They won only twice last season. Catcher Lourdes Delarosa threw out three would-be base stealers in the win. Pierce was the winning pitcher, after freshman Ashley Wegner pitched creditably in the opener. Wegner had 2 hits in the loss. “Conference victories are always tough to come by in this league,” coach Travin Kozel said. “But improved pitching and athleticism should make the Panthers a much more competitive team.”
VERNON HILLS
Coach: Steve Korney (second season)
Last season: 25-10
Key losses: 1B Becca Feld, OF Neha Manchanda
Returning players: Sr. P/1B Megan Meline, Jr. OF/P Jordyn Comitor, Sr. 2B Carly Alm, Sr. 1B/3B Anya Mollenhauer, Jr. 3B/P Jenn Claussen, Jr. OF Caitlin Sernett, Sr. SS Michelle Harris, Sr. C Sami Freibrun
Newcomers: Jr. OF Madie Nixon, So. OF/P Kristina Kliver
Outlook: The Cougars went from 15 wins in 2010 to 25 last season and return eight starters. They opened the season with a home loss to Palatine last week, but veteran ace Megan Meline was relegated to first-base duties and did not hit due to a hamstring injury. The Cougars will be careful with Meline, who as a junior had the best season for a player in the history of the program. She hit .495 (53 hits) with 10 doubles, 7 triples, 3 homers, 37 RBI and 37 stolen bases, while winning 19 games in the circle with 240 strikeouts in 177 innings. “When she's healthy, that will make a big difference,” coach Steve Korney said. All five of Korney's seniors — Meline, Carly Alm, Anya Mollenhauer, Michelle Harris and Sami Freibrun — have been on varsity since their sophomore year. Meline has been the Cougars' best pitcher since she was a freshman. She, Mollenhauer (. 314 batting average, 34 RBI in 2011), Jordyn Comitor (. 352 BA, 10 doubles, 31 RBI), Jenn Claussen (. 311 BA, 11 stolen bases) and Caitlin Sernett (. 317 BA, 19 stolen bases) all made all-conference last year. Freibrun and Harris were honorable mention all-NSC. The Cougars could be the team to beat in the NSC Prairie. “I think we'll be good,” Korney said, “when we're fully healthy and when we have all of our players available.”
WAUCONDA
Coach: Tim Rennels (13th season)
Last season: 11-19
Key losses: 3B/C Cara Nance (Bowie State), P Brittany Ehmann (Winona State)
Returning players: Jr. C/3B Alex Kinnamon, Jr. 2B/OF Kennedy Wright, Sr. P/OF Lauren Thomas, Sr. 3B Shannon Moorhead, Sr. OF Jessica Kinder, Sr. OF Haley Kramer, Jr. OF/P Lexie Redmann, Jr. 1B Maggie LePage, Jr. SS Emily Holub
Newcomers: Jr. C/IF Megan Luchowski, Jr. IF Megan Grobelney, Jr. IF Brittany Mebust, So. 1B/P Angie Exline, So. IF Lauren Nee
Outlook: Coach Tim Rennels is emphasizing that a pack of dogs is more of a threat than one, and his Bulldogs look to prove that this spring after dropping from 21 wins in 2010 to 11 last season. “We have a lot of talent,” Rennels said. “A lot of versatility. ... We're two deep at every position.” The Bulldogs won a 10-6 slugfest against Richmond-Burton in their season opener last Friday before losing 12-4 to Palatine on Tuesday. Junior Lexie Redmann, who played on varsity last spring, followed up a 4-for-4 performance in the season opener by going 3-for-4. Redmann will pitch along with senior Lauren Thomas. Junior slap-hitting second baseman Kennedy Wright, who is a three-year varsity starter, earned all-conference honors last season. Junior catcher/third baseman Alex Kinnamon received a promotion to the varsity during her freshman season and had a solid sophomore campaign. Rennels has two sophomores — Angie Exline and Lauren Nee — up this season. Junior Megan Luchowski played on varsity as a freshman before spending last year at Carmel. The Bulldogs have a good mix of young and veteran players. “We got some senior leadership. We got some youth,” Rennels said. “But this is not a building year. We're trying to make it happen this year.”
NORTH SUBURBAN LAKE
LAKE ZURICH
Coach: Michaela Towne (third season)
Last season: 24-8
Key losses: P Megan Mattera (Miami Ohio), C Paige Goldberg, 1B Allie McGinnis (did not come out), SS Tab Bohac
Returning players: Sr. OF Kelly Neises, So. 3B Maria Schroeder, So. IF Carlee Parsons, So. 1B Mallory Parsons, Sr. C/OF Christina Sanstedt, Fr. OF/2B Katie Brown, Sr. OF Ashley Pettinger, So. C/OF McKenna Larson, Jr. 2B Kasey Roe
Newcomers: Jr. C/2B Caty Grahf, Sr. P Shannon McPeek, Jr. 1B Sara Gazdacka, So. 2B/OF Maddie Minneci, So. P/OF Olivia Schneider, So. OF Vivian Juarez
Outlook: If the Bears out-homer teams this season, it be might be via the inside-the-park variety. They lost slugger/ace Megan Mattera (26 home runs the last two seasons), who earned a scholarship to Miami Ohio, and first baseman/catcher Alli McGinnis, who decided not to play her senior season. Mattera belted 10 homers last year, while McGinnis hit a pair. “We can't replace people, but we can reload,” said coach Michaela Towne, whose squad played in its sixth straight NSC title game last spring. “What we lost in power we have definitely gained in speed. I expect our offense to always keep us in games and score a lot of runs.” The Bears have a history of great pitchers (Megan Hinck, Katie Buczynski, Mattera). They head into this season unproven in the circle. Senior Shannon McPeek and sophomore Olivia Schneider will pitch. “Defensively, we are working every day to be better for our pitcher, Shannon McPeek, whose job it will be to make hitters hit into outs,” Towne said. “She won't blow the ball by people, but hopefully can outsmart them and use our defense to their fullest potential. I am very excited about this season because of the great leaders we have. My seniors — Shannon McPeek, Kelly Neises, Ashley Pettinger and Christina Sandstedt — have really stepped into leadership roles, which has been great for both the younger players and us coaches.” Neises, a speedy slap hitter and three-year varsity player, made all-area last season (. 411 batting average, 16 stolen bases). Sophomore Maria Schroeder is a hard-hitting third baseman who batted in the heart of the Bears' order last season. She also was an all-area pick after hitting .380 with 8 triples. Sophomore second baseman Carlee Parsons started for the sectional champs last spring too. She both fielded and hit well. “Our team chemistry is phenomenal, and I'm hoping that helps us when we hit rough patches throughout the season,” said Towne, whose Bears went 1-2 in Barrington's Spring Fling last week, getting a pair of 3-hit games from Schroeder and complete-game win from McPeek. “I have been impressed by the dedication, work ethic and determination to improve that I have seen from the girls thus far. If that continues through May, we will be in good shape.”
LIBERTYVILLE
Coach: Elissa Wisniewski (first season)
Last season: 12-22
Key losses: 2B Danielle Kaczmar (North Central College), 1B Toni Kintzel
Returning players: Jr. IF/C Isabella Alesna, Sr. OF Samantha Bone, Sr. OF/IF Emily Gilbert, Jr. C Haley Hoeksel, Sr. P/OF Andie Grant, Sr. 3B/SS Maggie Meyer, Sr. IF/P Calley Kaluzny, Sr. P/OF Emilie Teitz, Sr. 1B/C Nicole Kruckman, Sr. OF/1B Lauren Vogg
Newcomers: Jr. Margaret Haws, So. P Haley Alban, So. Taylor Oberman, Sr. Valerie Steinhauser
Outlook: The Wildcats don't lack leaders — just captains. They have none. Borrowing from her college-playing days at Winona State, new head coach Elissa Wisniewski has adopted that policy to better emphasize the importance of team. “Our big motto is T-E-A-M,” Wisniewski said. “We have no captains this year because every single one of them has the ability to step up and the talent to be a leader.” Wisniewski does have a pair of four-year varsity players in Nicole Kruckman and Calley Kaluzny. The 6-foot Kruckman was a leader the past three varsity basketball seasons, helping lead the Wildcats to three straight NSC titles. Like with basketball, she plays good defense in this sport, too. “She's a picking machine,” said Wisniewski, who will play Kruckman at first base and/or catcher. Kruckman was an all-conference selection last season, while senior Andie Grant made honorable mention all-NSC. The Wildcats are senior-laden. “We're old,” Wisniewski joked. Grant, senior Emilie Teitz and sophomore Haley Alban all pitch. Kaluzny has pitched during her career too. “We have a lot of talent,” Wisniewski said. “They're working hard every day. We're trying to get back on the same page. We threw a lot of changes at them during off-season workouts in October.”
MUNDELEIN
Coach: Brett Wilhelm (first season)
Last season: 16-16
Key losses: OF Justina Doll (Lewis), P Hillary Bunnelle (Case Western), IF Deanna Wise, IF Kate Wallen
Returning players: Sr. C/1B Alex Hemmer, Jr. OF Chloe Peterson, Jr. P/3B Erin Kennelly, Jr. OF Hailey Morelli, Jr. IF Andrea Funteas
Newcomers: Jr. OF Emily Panitch, Jr. P/1B Emily East, Fr. SS Maddie Zazas, So. C/3B Caity Hanscom, Fr. 2B/P Maria DeVito, Jr. OF Nikki Zaprzalka, Jr. P/3B Molly Ellott, So. 1B Abbey Rosenow, Fr. Hannah Bulgart
Outlook: Perry Wilhelm coached Mundelein's softball team to a third-place finish in the Class AA state tournament in 1994. Eighteen years later, his youngest son takes over the program, which is far removed from its glory days. “This is cool because I grew up watching this,” said Brett Wilhelm, a 2004 Mundelein graduate. “I grew up watching my dad coach. The Mustangs are no longer a power, not even in Lake County, but the first-year coach is jacked to take over his first varsity program. “Extremely excited,” said Wilhelm, who got his first win Wednesday, 4-1 over Grayslake North. The new head coach likes his team's future, too. Back is all-conference catcher Alex Hemmer and honorable mention all-NSC outfielder Chloe Peterson. Two other veterans, junior outfielder Hailey Morelli and pitcher/third baseman Erin Kennelly, could have strong seasons too. Three freshmen — shortstop Maddie Zazas, second baseman Maria DeVito and outfielder Hannah Bulgart — received Opening Day starts at Barrington last Saturday. Sophomores Caity Hanscom and Abbey Rosenow will also play a lot. “I feel like we can be a force in our conference,” Wilhelm said.
STEVENSON
Coach: Larry Friedrichs (25th season)
Last season: 17-12-1
Key losses: 3B Ashley Niedermayer, SS Emma Patrash, C Megan Felz, 1B Heather Cohen, OF Alyssa Vechiola
Returning players: Sr. 2B/OF/C Lara Horwitz, Sr. OF Ali Castriano, Sr. OF Cailin Rubenstein, Jr. P/OF Sam Feder, So. P Kat Trotter
Newcomers: So. SS/OF Maria Anagnostopoulos, So. C/IF/OF Lexi Yonkovic, So. 3B/SS/OF Dana Morgan, Jr. SS/1B/OF Lauren Boyle, Jr. OF/1B Sara Loerch, Jr. 1B/3B Morgan Manka, Jr. OF/1B/C Maggie Thon, Fr. IF Taylor Koenigs
Outlook: The Patriots graduated seven players, after losing six the season before so they don't boast a ton of varsity experience. Furthermore, senior Lara Horwitz relented to rotator-cuff surgery last October, after playing through the injury and starting at second base last season. “She's been hurt since the end of her sophomore year,” coach Larry Friedrichs said. The Patriots are hoping Horwitz gets medical clearance to start throwing in early April. “She's got great baserunning instincts, and she's a fairly decent hitter,” Friedrichs said. “When she was healthy, before she got hurt, she could do a lot of things.” Seniors Ali Castriano and Cailin Rubenstein return in center and right field, respectively. Junior Nicole Alesi moves from left field to second base. Four sophomores are up, with Lexi Yonkovic catching, Maria Anagnostopoulos patrolling shortstop, Dana Morgan anchoring third base and Kat Trotter pitching. Junior Sam Feder returns after throwing a majority of the varsity innings last season and figures to be the ace again. Morgan missed all of last season with an ACL injury. “The good news,” Friedrichs said, “is that it's a young group of kids, in general.”
WARREN
Coach: Carri McGahan (sixth season)
Last season: 21-13
Key losses: 1B Abby Anderson (Kalamazoo), P Marcee Olvera, 3B Paige Dombrowski
Returning players: Jr. OF Megan Sowa, Sr. P Jessica Demski, So. P/IF Jana Wagner, Jr. IF Jill Fox, Sr. OF Kelli Layton, Jr. C/IF Sam Belletini
Newcomers: Sr. Lyn Demeyer, Jr. IF Hayley Roane, Sr. Lisa Holland, Jr. IF/OF Lisiann Rodriguez, Jr. IF Anna Balch, So. C/IF Jodie Hurd, Jr. OF Kelly Majewski, Jr. IF Amy Ricci
Outlook: The Blue Devils have won 49 games in the last two seasons, and they're off to a 2-1 start after winning their last two games, including one over Lake Zurich, in Barrington's Spring Fling last week. Junior slap-hitting outfielder Megan Sowa returns at the top of the lineup after an all-area sophomore campaign in which she hit an amazing .558 (63 hits) with 14 doubles and posted an equally robust .651 on-base percentage. Against Deerfield last week, Sowa went 3-for-4 with a triple and 2 RBI. But two other all-area players, outfielder Lexi Leneau and second baseman Sarah Shanders, did not come out for their senior season. Senior Jessica Demski and sophomore Jana Wagner will handle the pitching duties. Wagner tossed 5 scoreless innings with 5 strikeouts against Deerfield last week. Junior Sam Belletini, who played varsity last spring, homered last week against Lake Zurich, while junior newcomer Amy Ricci was 3-for-4. “I am very optimistic about our season,” coach Carri McGahan said. “Although we have only five returning varsity players, many of the girls new to varsity bring great energy, talent and enthusiasm for a fantastic season. I expect that we will be a competitive force in conference, and I believe we will surpass the 20-win mark.”
FOX VALLEY FOX
GRAYSLAKE CENTRAL
Coach: Abbey Tadelman (fifth season)
Last season: 11-23
Key losses: C Rachel Perkowitz, 1B Cassidy Obis, 2B/3B Beth Caloway
Returning players: Sr. SS Claire Brennan, Sr. OF Kati Brew, Sr. P/2B Tayler Janda, Jr. OF/C Anna Strickland, Jr. 2B/SS Caitlin Flary, Jr. 3B/SS Caitlin Tarnowski
Newcomers: So. 3B/P Brittany Brown, So. 1B/OF Jamie Brew, So. OF/3B Theresa Curtis, Jr. OF Taylor Peterson, Jr. 2B/OF Cally Hayes, Jr. 1B/C Amber Hozey
Outlook: The Rams boast a pair of four-year varsity players in versatile Claire Brennan and pitcher Tayler Janda, as well as three-year varsity starters Sarah Kuligowski and Kati Brew. The four hope to be complemented by three new sophomores in Brittany Brown, Jamie Brew (Kati's sister) and Theresa Curtis. Juniors Caitlin Flary and Caitlin Tarnowski were up last spring. Janda will serve as the No. 1 starter for the second year in a row. Brennan starts at shortstop again and can also pitch, but sophomore third baseman Brown will be the backup pitcher. Brown and Jamie Brew will anchor the corner-infield positions. “These two new sophomores played nice defense for us (Tuesday in a season-opening loss to Fremd),” coach Abbey Tadelman said. The Rams leave Sunday to play six games, including one JV contest, in Orlando. “I am very excited for this season because we have a lot of returning players with varsity experience and some solid talent all around,” Tadelman said. “Practices have been going well and the team is pumped for another Florida trip during Spring Break.”
GRAYSLAKE NORTH
Coach: Molly Jones (fourth season)
Last season: 22-11
Key losses: OF Raquel Ness, OF Brianna Leon, OF Hailey Badovinac
Returning players: Sr. P Kristina Gandy, Sr. C Brooke Tracy, Jr. 3B Kelsey Borders, Sr. 1B Christina Freese, Jr. SS Jordyn Bowen, Sr. 2B Jessica Davis, So. P/IF Nikki Livengood, Sr. OF Megan Mertins, Sr. OF Courtney Peterson
Newcomers: Jr. OF/IF Kaley Buchman, Jr. OF Marli Kramm, Jr. OF Emily West, So. OF Mariah Gentile
Outlook: The Knights enjoyed the best season in their five-year history last spring, winning a school-record 22 games and advancing to the Class 3A Grayslake Central sectional final. They could be in line for more success, as they return their starting battery of Lake Forest College-bound pitcher Kristina Gandy and catcher Brooke Tracy, as well as their starting infield of Kelsey Borders (third base), Jordyn Bowen (shortstop), Jessica Davis (second base) and 6-foot Christina Freese (first base). Seniors Gandy and the slap-hitting Tracy have been on varsity since their freshman year. Gandy and Borders hit .412 and .408, respectively, last season. “We're expecting great things from (Gandy), as we always do,” coach Molly Jones said. “It's nice to have Brooke and Kristina together because they've been together all four years.” The Knights need to replace their entire starting outfield. The starting candidates include veterans Courtney Peterson and Megan Mertins, juniors Kaley Buchman, Marli Kramm and Emily West, and athletic sophomore Mariah Gentile. “As successful as we were last season, we're trying to put it in the past and start from Square One,” Jones said. “We're going to be very competitive in our conference. Our goal is to finish first or second.”