Scouting Tri-Cities softball softball
Aurora Central Catholic
Coach: Jim Hallahan
Last year: 5-21 Top returners: Sarah Ryan (sr., P); Megan Reichardt (sr., INF); Dani Blake (sr., OF); Katie Callahan (sr., C).
Key newcomers: Gabi Alfaro (fr., INF).
Outlook: Hallahan takes over for the Chargers and hopes for an improved team even though the Suburban Christian Conference has some challenges. “We should be more competitive,” Hallahan said. “Our numbers are better at the school and the girls are competing for a position which is always healthy. Montini, St. Francis and Rosary are the big guns in our conference. I hope to be in the middle of the race.” Hallahan will look to Ryan to handle a lot of the work in the circle. At the plate Reichardt is back after a sizzling .421 average as a junior while Blake batted .385 and Callahan .415. “We are evenly distributed with seniors, juniors, sophomores and the one freshman,” Hallahan said. “We had some great talent transfer from Rosary and Kaneland. Our glove skills are much better so our pitching should see better support. We only have three summer travel players so it is how we mix that level of skill to bring the others up to a higher level that will determine our overall record. I feel we should be able to vastly improve on last year and get better as we approach the regionals. My goal is to gain a higher seed for the regionals and improve each game out.”
Aurora Christian
Coach: Rich Hazlett
Top returners: Lindsey Larsen (sr.), Marea Tennant (sr.), Marissa Wilgar (sr.), Sara Morris (jr., P); Jordan Pittman (so., P); Keeley Slammans (so., OF); Kelly Etchison (jr., OF).
Key newcomers: Liz Smith, Keagan Johnson, Alyssa Hernandez, Ripley Vonhoff, Joy Pickens.
Outlook: The Eagles have a trio of four-year varsity players to build around in Larsen, Tennant and Wilgar. “They are looking to conclude their careers at ACS on a high note,” Hazlett said. “It has been a very exciting preseason. The ladies have worked extremely hard and have really been dedicated.” The other four returnees provide a “great core” according to Hazlett, and his “new kids on the block” include Smith and Johnson who have impressed their coach with their aggressiveness. “Some of our strengths for this season will be our versatility on the field,” Hazlett said. “This group has a well-rounded range of positions they are capable of playing. We also should have some strong hitting.” Life in the Suburban Christian Conference is never easy but Hazlett said his team is ready. “We are going to have another season with some fierce competition,” Hazlett said. “Teams in the SCC are always well prepared for the season.”
Batavia
Coach: Ashley Szymski
Last year: 20-9, 12-7 (third)
Top returners: Katie Neubauer (sr., P/3B); Katie Coleman (sr., P/SS/1B); Meghan Fabian (sr., OF); Katie Ryan (jr., OF); Sami Villareal (jr., MINF/C); Erin Costigan (so, MINF/OF).
Key newcomers: Ryanne Rokos (fr., OF); Selena Kweder (jr., 3B/1B).
Outlook: Watch out for Batavia. The Bulldogs have a little of everything and a lot of power led by Ryan and her 18 homers in a breakout sophomore season the likes of which haven't been seen often. The University of Dayton recruit finished with a .455 average, 1.055 slugging percentage and 26 extra-base hits. “Katie has become even stronger in her outfield skills and hopefully her power hitting will continue in our lineup,” Szymski said. Batavia also has Neubauer back in the circle after going 6-3 with a 2.22 ERA and 45 strikeouts before a foot injury ended her season early. A fourth-year varsity player Coleman went 7-3 last year with 2 saves and a 2.54 ERA and 62 strikeouts. She also hit .329 with 9 doubles, 3 triples and a home run. Fabian is a three-year varsity player with a solid glove and a .326 average last year. Villareal started as a freshman before an ACL injury sidelined her as a sophomore. Costigan batted .375 as a freshman with 3 home runs. It's easy to see why Batavia has big goals. “We have a strong core of returners,” Szymski said. “The return of Sami Villareal to the program is also very exciting. We want to have a conference championship and then focus on postseason.” The team's health is of primary importance toward meeting those goals. Batavia has added Glenbard North and Wheaton Warrenville South to its schedule. “The return of the pitching duo of Katie Neubauer and Katie Coleman is key,” Szymski said. “Defensively we will be stronger with the development of Erin Costigan at second and the return of Sami Villarreal as well as the introduction of Ryanne Rokos. Katie Ryan has physically grown stronger and hopefully continue her power in the batter's box. I definitely feel we can be River Division champs and contend for a regional title this season.”
Geneva
Coach: Greg Dierks
Last year: 25-11, 13-6 Top returners: Elena Wright (sr., SS); Kirsten Searcy (jr., 3B); Bridget Weitzel (jr., OF); Kelly Gordon (jr., ); Taylor Medernach (sr., ); Sarah Laster (jr., ); Clare Stribling (sr., C).
Key newcomers: Amanda Ebert (jr., OF); Haley Orwig (so., P); Natalie Erbe (jr., P); Nicole White (so., 1B); Anna Geary (fr., OF).
Outlook: Unproven pitching is about all Geneva is missing as Dierks has several bats back in his lineup and strong fielders returning from a team that took second in conference last season. Wright hit .383 and led the team with 32 RBI. Searcy is coming off a .352 season with 25 RBI. Weitzel batted .412 and scored 28 runs while Gordon (. 315), Medernach (. 267), Laster (. 250) and Stribling (. 236) are all experienced hitters. Stribling is a four-year starter at catcher who gives Geneva experience at a key spot. “I am pretty confident that Wright, Searcy and Weitzel will produce for us again,” Dierks said. “The key to our offense is getting increased production from the other returning players and contributions from the newcomers.” How will Orwig and Erbe pitch this year? Dierks is optimistic. “Our pitchers have very little varsity experience. We need them to throw strikes and try to keep the hitters off-balance. If they do that, our bats and our defense should be good enough to get us through,” Dierks said. Handicapping the Upstate Eight race, the veteran coach said he thinks Elgin has the best pitching coming back and Batavia the top all-around team. “My goal for our team is to contend in conference and to battle in every game,” Dierks said. “We are unproven on the mound but I think our pitchers can do the job and I think our offense and defense will hold up well. Like everyone else, we hope to be the team to win the division.”
Kaneland
Coach: Brian Willis
Last year: 14-19, 3-7
Top returners: Allyson O'Herron (jr., SS); Delani Vest (sr., P); McKinzie Mangers (sr. C).
Key newcomers: Hayley Contorno (so., P/INF); Paige Kuefler (fr., C/INF).
Outlook: There might not be a team hungrier to turn around their 2011 season than the Knights. They will need Vest to return to the form in the circle she showed as a freshman and sophomore. O'Herron gives the Knights a solid all-around player both in the field and at the plate. Along with O'Herron, Mangers should make the Knights strong up the middle. Willis points to depth as the strength for the Knights, which means look for Samantha Hansen, Sarah Kitz, Alexis Villarreal, Ellissa Eckert, Sarah Grams, Morgan Newhouse, Kristen Gabrielson, Allie Miller, Lexi Roach, Danielle McCormack, Taylor Krawczyk, Lanie Callaghan and Paige Kuefler all to chip in. “Our expectations are to bounce back from a disappointing 2011 season,” Willis said. “We will play hard, have fun and compete. We will be a better team this season.”
Rosary
Coach: John Kazmierczak
Last year: 13-16, 9-7
Top returners: Madeline Merritt (sr., 2B); Ariana Stone (sr., OF); Cara Smoczynski (jr., P); Kelsey Arnold (sr., 2B); Amy Stein (sr., P/OF)' Sarah Murray (sr., INF).
Key newcomers: Kates Groom (jr.); Lexi Lovetere (jr.); Maddie Hemmerich (jr.); Katherine Witte (jr.); Lauren Murray (so.); Sam Phelps (so.); Victoria Phipps (so.).
Outlook: After back-to-back 9-7 finishes for fourth place in conference, the Royals are looking to move up knowing St. Francis and Montini promise to be strong. Merritt, Stone and Smoczynski are the only players back who had consistent varsity playing time a year ago as the Royals graduated nine seniors. “We'll be tested,” Kazmierczak said. “Every player knows positions are up for grabs which has made practices enjoyable and intense. If we keep the energy level up we'll see some positive results.”
St. Charles East
Coach: Kelly Horan
Last year: 17-17
Top returners: Casey Basic (sr., C); Lexi Perez (jr., SS); Shannon Pedersen (sr., P/1B); Leah Valesh (sr., P/U); Rhiannon Ohnstad (sr., U); Olivia Lorenzini (jr., OF).
Key newcomers: Shelby Palomares (sr., 3B); Sarah Collalti (so., CF); Haley Beno (so., P); Shelby Holtz (jr., C); Jess Richter (jr., 2B); Cassie Boles (jr., INF); Tess Hupe (so., OF); Kate Peterburs (so., OF).
Outlook: Horan can't say enough about her top two returnees, Basic behind the plate and Perez at shortstop. She loves the defense from both while praising the high on-base percentage and steals from Perez and pop from Basic. “Basic and Perez are the proven varsity ball players with Pedersen poised to make a huge impact due to a great off-season,” Horan said. How will the new faces fit in? There's a lot of position battles to watch.“The seven other spots are up for grabs with plenty of rotation in the early part of the season,” Horan said. “The kids that keep positive will have the most success and Basic and Perez are leading examples of that. If we stay positive and jell as a team the sky is the limit. Seniors need to lead well and the sophomores will follow. The juniors on the team are talented and will fill nice roles. Speed is a strength.” How the Saints pitch could determine where they finish in the River race. ”We should be competitive,” Horan said. “We have a lot of question marks but I think we will surprise people.”
St. Charles North
Coach: Tom Poulin
Last year: 32-4, 18-1 (1st)
Top returners: Sabrina Rabin (so., P/OF); Sara Hausl (sr., C, 3B).
Key newcomers: Shannon Caliri (sr. P/2B/OF); Abbey Howlett (fr. 1B); Kaitlyn Waslawski (fr. 2B); Mickey Goetz (so. SS/P).
Outlook: What a dream season the North Stars had in 2011. In Poulin's first year as head coach, the North Stars blew through the regular season on their way to another conference championship and then had an even more memorable run in the postseason all the way to the state championship game against Moline. That went down as a 9-8 loss with a call at first base that denied the tying run from scoring a finish no North Star fan will ever forget. So what's it like coming off a season like that? “Last season was such a remarkable experience,” Poulin said. “It all came together. The team became a family, we had incredible captains and numerous leaders, the girls believed in each other and the concept of team. We will never forget the memories we made last season, from the first day until the last. That tourney run was incredible, with each game having a storyline that made it even more memorable. That team paid it's dues and then some. Then they made the most of their opportunity.” Now comes the follow-up act without all the seniors who stared on that team. “We are taking the same approach with this group,” Poulin said. “One pitch, one out, one play, one game at a time. The impact of last season will be felt for years to come. The kids we have today are determined to build their own legacy this season and move the program forward. The expectations around here have been raised, so how hard you prepare has to increase as well. It will be a challenging season, but I am confident we have the people in place to be successful.” Hausl hit .273 last year and Rabin batted .426 with 16 steals, 20 runs and a 5-1 record with a 1.66 ERA. “(Rabin) had a great freshman season for us and has come back much improved,” Poulin said. “Tireless worker, epitome of the student-athlete and a fantastic person.” Poulin said his group of newcomers have a mix of skills that will help. “Our strengths should be in our versatility defensively, mix of team speed and power at the plate and on the base paths we will look to be aggressive,” Poulin said. “We will have to be sure to remain positive throughout the season and build on each game experience.” Poulin expects a tight UEC River race, a contrast to the North Stars running away with it the last few years. The North Stars with their heavy graduation losses are the exception to a lot of teams that return key players. “We are always focused on competing for the conference title,” Poulin said. “We also know that it will take a lot of hard work and improvement, while learning from game to game and staying positive.”
West Aurora
Coach: Sara Nagy
Last year: 5-26, 1-13
Top returners: LaRi Mitchell (sr., CF); Racheal Williams (sr.,); LaDesha Nelson (sr.); Dani Helms (sr.,); Molly Jordan (jr.) Ally Wayzer (jr., P).
Key newcomers: Kaylee Hayton (so., P); Gianna Drager (so., P).
Outlook: The Blackhawks have a player any coach would like to build around in Mitchell, the speedy center fielder who has signed with Middle Tennessee. She hit .309 last year with 8 doubles and a triple while finishing with a .954 fielding percentage. Nagy is encouraged not just with Mitchell but all the players coming back. “They are all returning and we are looking for them to have a great year,” Nagy said. “They have all put in a lot of work over the summer and are all looking much stronger this year.” Wayzer will pitch along with the sophomores Hayton and Drager. Nagy said West Aurora could benefit from the graduation losses at other conference schools. “The DVC lost some good pitchers last year, but there is always someone new to watch out for in the conference,” Nagy said. “We should finish much stronger than last year.” Nagy also knows West Aurora needs to put pressure on its opponents by putting more runs on the board. Too many times last year West Aurora couldn't string together hits. “We need to hit with more consistency this year and success will follow,” Nagy said. “We will continue to work hard and improve our skills each day so we are ready for the DVC.”