Softball/Fox Valley preview
Bartlett Hawks
Coach: Jim Wolfsmith (9th season, 189-97)
Conference: Upstate Eight Valley
2011 record: 18-16 (8-4 UEC Valley)
Top returning players: Seniors Steph Tomazin (IF), Tori Burke (P/IF), Andrean Taormina (2B), Amanda Montbriand (P/IF/OF), Alicia Salata (P); juniors Kaylyn Zierke (C/3B), Cara Carrion (CF).
Key newcomers: Sophomores Kayla Haberstich (IF), Holly Pagan (p/1B), Sydney Johnson (OF/IF), Alex Morales (OF), Sana Paul (C/OF)/
Outlook: The Hawks return a wealth of experience from last year's 18-16 team with 7 players having varsity experience. The loss to graduation of 4-year varsity shortstop Nicole Beck (Central Methodist University), starting catcher Lisa Matsie and starting first baseman Jacki Gulczynski leaves some holes to fill but coach Jim Wolfsmith has called five sophomores up to the varsity, giving him a roster of 16 to work with. Burke, who is committed to Cardinal Stritch in Milwaukee, will be the ace in the circle after going 9-6 with 2 saves and a 2.15 ERA last year, but look for Montbriand (5-4), Salata (2-6) and Pagan to see plenty of action as well. Zierke is one of the top juniors in the Chicago area and has offers from Indiana State and Temple already. She hit .324 last year with 2 home runs and 27 RBI. Tomazin, who signed to play for Lewis, hit .286 last season and Burke hit .289 with 2 home runs. “We graduated a few key seniors including our middle-of-the-order hitters in Beck, Matise and Gulczynski,” said Wolfsmith, who is 11 wins shy of 200 for his softball career. “We return Kaylyn Zierke as our top hitter and we're looking forward to a healthy season from Tomazin, who is also a top level hitter. With Taormina, Montbriand, Rachel Odolski, Paul and Johnson we have a lot of team speed and we have experienced varsity pitching in Burke, Montbriand, Salata and Pagan. And, we had very successful lower level teams that went 48-4 combined last year.” The Hawks opened the season with a sweep of Addison Trail. Also on the schedule is their annual trip to the Wendy's Classic in Ohio, as well as a May 19 game against Belleville East at the Stone City Jamboree.
Burlington Central Rockets
Coach: Cray Allen (2nd year at BC; 152-40 career)
Conference: Big Northern East
2011 record: 17-16 (8-2 BN-East)
Top returning players: Seniors Emily Bell (1B), Haley Albamonte (OF/C), Sarah Kisch (3B/C), Amanda Ritchie (SS/2B); juniors Rebecca Roscher (P), Lauren King (2B/OF), Melanie Gajewski (2B/3B); sophomores Bekah Harnish (C/IF), Brooke Gaylord (P/OF), Tori Harvey (SS/OF/C).
Key newcomers: Freshmen Courtni Neubauer (OF/P), Angie Morrow (P/3B), Kassi Gaylord (3B/P/C).
Outlook: The talent and experience is there for this Burlington Central team to make some noise in both the Big Northern East, where defending Class 3A state champ Marengo also resides, but in the postseason as well. Everyone is back for a team that got better and better last season, falling in a 9-inning heartbreaker to Sycamore in the regional championship. All-area standouts Bell (. 392 average, .795 slugging, 40 RBI) and Albamonte (. 500, 31 RBI. 37 RS) are Division I signees, Bell to North Dakota and Albamonte to Indiana State. Kisch (. 353, 25 RBI) and Harnish (. 435, 41 RBI) can be explosive hitters and Roscher (10-5, 3.29 ERA) showed great potential last year as a sophomore. Brooke Gaylord also pitched 32 innings last year before being injured, but the Rockets' team ERA was 3.90. Keep an eye on freshmen Morrow, Neubauer and Kassi Gaylord as well. “We're looking for conference and regional championships this year,” said Allen, whose team should be more at ease with his amped-up coaching style in his second year on Rocket Hill. “Our returners provide experience but our pitching needs to be better and more reliable. The character of these players is a strength and will help guide this still young team.” Allen has jacked up the schedule again this year, including a trip to Tennessee next week during spring break. The Rockets also have nonconference games with Barrington, Elgin, Glenbard South (3rd in Class 3A), defending Class 4A runner-up St. Charles North, West Chicago, West Aurora and DeKalb, and they will play a May 12 doubleheader against defending Class 4A state champ Moline at NIU.
Cary-Grove Trojans
Coach: Tammy Olson (19th year, 331-228-3)
Conference: Fox Valley (Valley)
2011 record: 30-2 (15-0 FVC Valley)
Top returning players: Seniors Sara Markelonis (3B), Taylor Dunne (OF), Megan Leineberg (1B); juniors Sarah Leudo (C), Linsday Efflandt (P); sophomores Lisa Semro (OF), Jamie Deering (SS).
Key newcomers: Juniors Ellen Celske (OF), Rebecca Lowe (2B/OF); sophomore Amy Clemment (2B).
Outlook: Efflandt is the two-time Daily Herald all-area co-captain and has now won over 60 games in her Cary-Grove career. She pitched her team to the supersectional as a freshman and the sectional finals last year, when she was 27-2 with a 0.86 ERA and 249 strikeouts. But the undefeated FVC Valley Division champs have more than Efflandt's right arm to rely on. Her batterymate, Leudo, is emerging as one of the top catchers around and coming off a .348, 3 HR, 20 RBI season. Dunne (. 420, 1 HR, 23 RBI) and Markelonis (. 402, 2 HRs, 21 RBI) also have some pop in their bats, as does Semro, who hit .362 with 3 homers and a team-high 35 RBI as a freshman. Also don't forget about Efflandt's bat — she hit .337 with 6 homers and 33 RBI a year ago. The big question mark will be replacing the graduated Alexis Haley, Eleni Polites and Emma Gaulke, last year's 1-2-3 hitters.
Crystal Lake South Gators
Coach: Scott Busam (9th season)
Conference: Fox Valley (Valley)
2011 record: 19-10 (8-8, FVC Valley)
Top returning players: Seniors Liz Adams (C/IF), Hannah Mahoney (P), Sam Golf (UTIL), Alli Bochat (1B), Kim McElman (2B).
Key newcomers: Junior Lindsay Popp (IF/OF); freshmen Jessica Terry (P), Kimberly Woods (OF), Lauren Gauger (IF).
Outlook: The Gators return experience in the circle with Mahoney (7-8, 3.26 ERA) and behind the plate with the versatile two-time all-area standout Adams (. 415, 2 HRs, 24 RBI). who struck out just once in 106 plate appearances last season. Golf (. 382, 25 RBI) has versatility and a strong bat and will pitch as well after going 9-2 with a 2.23 ERA last year. The Gators' coaching staff is also high on several freshmen.
Dundee-Crown Chargers
Coach: Tracy Beatty (5th season)
Conference: Fox Valley (Valley)
2011 record: 2-24
Top returning players: Seniors Melany Love (P/OF), Jessie Lewandowski (1B); junior Amanda Eissler (P/SS)
Key newcomers: Junior Cynthia Collingbourne (C); sophomores Carly Stallings (C/OF), Mallory Schilf (SS/3B), Mandy Moore (P/2B).
Outlook: The Chargers are still young but they have one of the best players in the Fox Valley Conference in Love (. 397, 20 RBI), who is returning from late-summer shoulder surgery, and Eissler (. 440, 9 RBI), who also got considerable time in the circle last season. “Mel is our only senior with full-time varsity experience and we have a lot of freshmen and sophomores at key positions,” said Beatty. “We're really young, so we just want to get stronger with every game.”
Elgin Maroons
Coach: Chad Dahlman (3rd season)
Conference: Upstate Eight River
2011 record: 20-14 (9-10 UEC River)
Top returning players: Seniors Hannah Perryman (P/OF), Rachel Roth (OF); junior Monica Stockman (1B); sophomores Jennah Perryman (P/3B), Kelley Bremer (C/3B), Anna Eckholm (UTIL).
Key newcomers: Juniors Caroline Sobeski (UTIL), Lissette Sanchez (UTIL); sophomore Bri Wright (SS/UTIL).
Outlook: The Maroons have the potential to contend for the UEC River title this season with Missouri-St. Louis recruit Hannah Perryman coming off a 10-5 season in the circle with a 2.09 ERA and 183 strikeouts in 107 innings. She also hit .337 with an area-high 9 home runs and 35 RBI. Her sophomore sister, Jennah, was 9-8 last season with a 3.18 ERA and 73 Ks in 97 innings. She had 5 home runs as well. Add in the experience of Bremer (. 315, 27 RS, 16 RBI), Stockman (. 324, 2 HRs, 13 RBI) and Eckholm (. 358, 2 HRs, 13 RBI) as well as s 4-year starter Roth in the outfield and the nucleus is there for Elgin to have a banner season. “We would love to see back-to-back 20 win seasons,” said Dahlman. “We've got six starters back and with Hannah and Jennah on the mound we should be competitive with every team we play.” Dahlman has toughened up the Maroons' schedule, adding games against state powers Richards and Lemont on May 19 at the Stone City Jamboree.
Hampshire Whip-Purs
Coach: Ken Bram (6th season)
Conference: Fox Valley (Fox)
2011 record: 8-19 (2-8 Big Northern East)
Top returning players: Seniors Tiffany Bentley (SS), Becca Vodraska (CF), Elisa Wood (1B); junior Jennifer Hurst (P).
Key newcomers: Junior Jordan Hook (IF/OF); sophomores Sarah Finn (C/IF), Becca Hurst (P/IF/OF); freshman Haley Widmayer (P/IF/OF).
Outlook: The Whip-Purs look to improve on last year's 8-19 season with an experienced pitcher returning in Jen Hurst (6-11, 4.27 ERA) but the road could be tough one as Hampshire enters play in the Fox Valley Conference Fox Division for the first time. Bentley (. 275, 13 RBI) is solid at shortstop and Vodraska has speed to anchor the outfield. “It's our first year in the Fox Valley so we just want to stay healthy, be competitive, play smart and play hard,” said Bram.
Huntley Red Raiders
Coach: Mark Petryniec (9th season, 151-131)
Conference: Fox Valley (Valley)
2011 record: 16-19 (8-7 FVC Valley)
Top returning players: Senior Tara Lycos (2B/CF); junior Miranda Peterson (SS); sophomores Brittany Koss (CF), Angela Tribuzio (C/1B), Ashley Laxner (P/OF).
Key newcomers: Seniors Lauren Wilson, Angela Knutsen; junior Angela Brand; sophomores Tamara Funke (IF), Mackenzie Brown (IF/OF), Michelle Caputi (IF/P), Ashton Cattenhead (OF); freshmen Katelyn Behrens (C/IF), Haley Spannraft (P/IF/OF).
Outlook: The Red Raiders return five starters this season and Petryniec believes that experience will keep his team in the race in the FVC Valley. Lycos hit .342 with 9 doubles last year, Koss was at .396 with 2 homers, Peterson hit .325 with 2 homers and 24 RBI and Tribuzio has, potentially, one of the strongest bats in the area. She had 7 doubles, 19 RBI and 3 home runs last year, including one off Cary-Grove standout Lindsay Efflandt. “Our goal this season is to compete for the Valley Division conference title and to advance as far as possible in the playoffs,” Petryniec said. “This preseason we have some exciting competitions for defensive positions. With our good mix of players we should be competitive in our conference.”
Jacobs Golden Eagles
Coach: Jeremy Bauer (9th season, 188-83)
Conference: Fox Valley (Valley)
2011 record: 21-12 (10-5 FVC Valley)
Top returning players: Senior Katie Kirker (P), Maggie Hansen, Tori Berg; juniors Nicky Chapa (2B), Jacquelyn Hengler (OF). Kaitlynn Woloszyk (C/OF); sophomore Alyssa Lach (3B).
Key newcomers:Sophomores McKayla Lein (1B/P), Danielle O'Toole; freshman Taylor Belo.
Outlook: The Golden Eagles are coming off a regional championship season but graduation has taken its toll with Kara Arecenaux, Jenna Teson, Marissa Lombardo, Amber Livingston and Kelsey Peterson all having departed for college. Back in the fold after a two-year absence, though, is Kirker in the circle. As a freshman call-up she went 4-0 but then missed the last two high school seasons with ACL surgeries. Kirker, who has signed with Judson University, did return midway through the 2011 summer season to lead her travel team to fourth place at the ASA Northern Nationals and she was strong against top competition in the fall as well. In her first outing of the season last week against Kaneland, she won 2-1 with 5 strikeouts and no walks. “She threw very well,” said Bauer. “There's still some room for improvement but she looked real good. We're real happy Katie is healthy. We're still developing some underlevel pitchers.” Lach is one of the top returning hitters in the area (. 468, 3 HRs, 48 RBI, 17 2Bs, .706 slugging percentage). Lach only struck out once last season in 109 at-bats, that against Cary-Grove standout Lindsay Efflandt. “I'm pretty confident,” Bauer said. “As long as we can generate the offense I think we can, we can score some runs. We just have to mesh. It's a very young team.”
Larkin Royals
Coach: Anne Vogt (1st season)
Conference: Upstate Eight River
2011 record: 9-25 (2-16, UEC Valley)
Top returning players: Seniors Lexi Smithberg (P/IF), Kiernan Schock (P), Nikki Banks (UTIL), Maggie Hofmann (OF); junior Alex Buhrow (C).
Key newcomers: Freshman Bekah Harrington (IF).
Outlook: A new era begins at Larkin with Anne Vogt, for 12 years the head coach at Elgin Community College, taking the reins of the program she was once a standout for. The 1992 graduate takes over for 16-year coach Larry Hight, who stepped down to concentrate on demanding counselor duties. There's some rebuilding for Vogt to do as Larkin has struggled in the win column in recent years, and with last year's top hitter, Corinne Wimmer, now playing at Dominican University. Smithberg (. 390, 15 RBI) and Buhrow (. 309, 2 HRs, 21 RBI) give Vogt some pop in the offense, as does Banks who has hit well in Larkin's early games this season. Schock (6-10) and Smithberg will share time in the circle. “Our goals are to get better every day and have a fun and successful season,” Vogt said. “The Royals have been working hard on being a solid team with each and every player having a positive attitude and working together. Team unity looks to be a strength and with a healthy roster we will surprise some teams.”
St. Edward Green Wave
Coach: Jaci Corn (2nd season)
Conference: Suburban Christian Blue
2011 record: 18-10 (11-4 SCC)
Top returning players: Seniors Maddie Kerr (1b/OF), Darcy Gaige (OF), Morgan Coughlin (P); juniors Kali Kossakowski (SS), Ashley Gradisher (2B/C/OF), Kristi Kroll (3B/C/OF); sophomore Julie Larson (P/1B/3B).
Key newcomers: Senior Becky Limberis (OF); juniors Mariana Silva (3B/1B/OF), Courteneay Waughon-Decker (OF); freshman Ryann Scully (C/2B/OF).
Outlook: St. Edward is coming off a Class 2A sectional final appearance in coach Jaci Corn's first season at the helm. But the 2012 Green Wave have many holes to fill, including in the circle and behind the plate with the graduation of Sarah Field (Grand View College) and Tarah McShane (Valparaiso). There is experience returning in Kossakowski, an all-area SS who hit .419 with 8 doubles and 14 stolen bases last year. She also had a .559 OBP and drew 15 walks. Kerr had 14 RBI last season, Gradisher hit .318 with 28 runs scored and Larson had a .337 OBP worth 15 walks. Scully is a promising freshman who will likely do most of the catching duties while Coughlin and Larson will share time in the circle. “We have a few girls with less than two years of softball experience but they continue to work hard and improve every day,” Corn said. “We always want to play at the highest level we can. We have a strong infield and range in the outfield. Our returning starters will play a strong role in leading this team to success. A program goal every year is to win conference, win the regional and reach state.”
South Elgin Storm
Coach: Jason Schaal (7th season, 97-76)
Conference: Upstate Eight Valley
2011 record: 21-15 (10-8 UEC Valley)
Top returning players: Seniors Sam Bolin (P), Sara Irving (1B); juniors Kara Rodrguez (OF), Victoria Watt (SS); sophomores Alyssa Buddle (C), Brittany Koss (UTIL), Taylor Rees (P/1B).
Key newcomers: Senior Megan Librandt (2B), Kelsee May (OF); sophomores Sam Helton (UTIL), Paige Allen (UTIL)/
Outlook: A beefed up schedule and seven returning starters are what's in store for South Elgin this season. Bolin, an all-area selection last year, led the area in wins with 16 and had a 2.72 ERA with 114 strikeouts and 5 shutouts. The Culver-Stockton signee also hit .308 with 2 homers and a team-high 29 RBI. Her batterymate, Buddle, is already generating big-time college interest after hitting .373 with 5 homers and 25 RBI last season, when she also threw out over 50 percent of the runners trying to steal against her. Irving hit .385 with 3 homers and a .987 fielding percentage at first base. Rodriguez, who is retuning from ACL surgery and figures to be back in the lineup by mid-April at the latest, will take over center field for graduated all-area co-captain Katelyn Stonecipher. Rodriguez hit .321 with 3 homers and 4 triples and was 8 of 9 stealing bases in 23 games last year. Also back are Watt (. 321, 17 RBI) and Koss (. 303, 12 RBI) to solidify the infield. “We're going to be OK,” said Schaal. “We'll be better at the end than in the beginning. We're recovering from a couple injuries early and we've got a really tough schedule. But as the year goes on we'll get better and be able to compete with the top teams. We've got five players with quality varsity experience and that's a good thing. Stoney's a big loss but Kara will do a great job out there. If we can fill in a spot here and there we'll be fine.” The Storm opens the season Saturday at Sterling then plays at Dundee-Crown Monday before heading to Murfreesboro, Tenn., to play in the Warriors Southern Classic where they have 7 games scheduled against teams from Tennessee and Alabama. “Our goal is to play well and bond as a team to prepare for another challenging season in the Upstate Eight Conference,” Schaal said. “Our goal is to always win conference and play for regional championships, but we understand that finishing in the top half of our division this year will be very challenging.”
Streamwood Sabres
Coach: Nick Baird (4th season)
Conference: Upstate Eight River
2011 record: 4-26 (2-14, UEC River)
Top returning players: Seniors Kellee Conquest (P), Jackie Jastrzebski (C), Dani Fisher (1B/3B/C), Andrea Barajas (OF), Sana Kowalewski (OF); juniors Brittany Delao (3b/SS), Kylee Jambor (1B).
Key newcomers: Sehior Katie Liquori (2B/OF); juniors Alexis Ciengi (C/1B), Hallie Garcia (IF/OF); freshmen Melissa Malcolm (OF), Natalie Filippio (2B/SS).
Outlook: The Sabres are hoping to improve on last year's season with a blend of experience and youth. “This year's team will have a little more power,” said Baird. “I think we will be able to put some runs up on the scoreboard. I feel that our pitching staff will be able to compete with anybody in our conference this year. Our defense will be a work in progress but I feel it will continue to improve throughout the year. For the division this year we just want to get better every game and improve where we finished last year.”
Westminster Christian Warriors
Coach: John Wedell (2nd season)
Conference: Northeast Athletic Conference
2011 record: 8-16 (4-8 NAC)
Top returning players: Junior Ally Hielscher (C/3B); sophomore Rachel Fugiel (P/SS).
Key newcomers: Juniors Vashti Cassidy (OF), Mikaila Conforti (OF/C), Cassidy King (OF/1B); sophomores Julie Johnson (OF), Maddie King (Of/1B); freshman Rachel Rich (P/IF).
Outlook: The Warriors have some holes to fill with the graduation of all-conference players Katie Moeller and Hannah Graves as well as the ACL injury to senior Porsche Griggs. Fugiel was second team all-conference last year when she hit .550, had a .654 on-base percentage, .917 slugging percentage, 17 stolen bases and 34 runs scored. “Our inexperience in the first half of the season is a concern but we feel pretty good about being ready for the state tournament,” said Wedell. “We expect gradual improvement as the season goes along. We will need to fill some key positions lost to graduation but with that being said, our strength is the girls' attitude. They are eager to learn and hungry to win.”