Softball/Fox Valley all-area team
Liz Adams Crystal Lake South
Given serious consideration for all-area captain, this CL South senior catcher graduates as one of the top players to ever wear a Gators’ uniform. A three-time all-area choice who will play at Rutgers, she hit .490 with 2 homers, 27 RBI, 12 doubles and 27 runs scored for her 21-12 team. Only struck out 4 times in 117 plate appearances, had a. 705 slugging percentage and a .538 OBP. “Liz has been a dominant player in the Fox Valley Conference for four years,” said CLS coach Scott Busam. “Her leadership, dedication and love for the game are unparalleled. “Most impressively, spanning her last three seasons, she struck out only 7 times in 295 at-bats. She’s a wonderful person and she’ll be missed as much for her attitude as her skill.” A Super 60 selection as well.
Haley Albamonte Burlington Central
A four-year varsity player for the Rockets, Albamonte showed her versatility again this season, playing multiple positions early in the season before settling in at third base. Helped her team to a 28-9 season that included a regional championship. She hit .329 with 15 RBI and only struck out 8 times in 85 at-bats. A repeat all-area selection. “Haley is the type of ballplayer every coach wants on their team,” said BC coach Cray Allen. “She’s a true leader by example and has a tremendous passion for the game. Her level of expectations for herself and the team make everybody better. If I had six Haley Albamontes, we’d win a state championship.” Will play on scholarship at Indiana State.
Emily Bell Burlington Central
A repeat all-area selection, Burlington Central’s senior first baseman had another strong season in helping her team go 28-9 and win a regional championship. Hit. 380 with 2 home runs, 29 RBI, 12 doubles, a .633 slugging percentage and a .475 on-base percentage. “Emily put up some pretty good stats last year as a junior and followed up this year with another good year,” said BC coach Cray Allen. “She has made Central softball a better program the last three years.” Bell will play on scholarship at North Dakota next year.
Tiffany Bentley Hampshire
Hampshire’s senior shortstop was the catalyst and leader of her team, hitting .422 with 15 RBI and a .467 OBP. Also scored 25 runs and only struck out 7 times in 90 plate appearances. “Tiffany had a solid year for us,” said Hampshire coach Ken Bram. “She was a good leader for our team.”
Sam Bolin South Elgin
South Elgin’s durable senior pitcher set the program record for career wins with 38, pitching some of her best games against top Upstate Eight Valley teams down the stretch of the season. Finished this season 11-13 with a 2.69 ERA and an even 100 strikeouts. Also hit .287 with 2 home runs, 8 doubles and 21 RBI. Only had 11 strikeouts in 105 plate appearances. “I was very impressed with how Sam composed herself and how hard she worked this year,” said South Elgin coach Jason Schaal. “Our defense let her down at times and she never let it show. The last three weeks of the season she held quality teams to few runs. She was a multithreat for us and we’re going to miss her next year.” A repeat all-area selection and a Super 60 selection, Bolin will play at Culver-Stockton in Missouri next year.
Alyssa Buddle South Elgin
One of the top sophomore catchers in the Chicago area, Buddle had a breakout season hitting .511 with 3 home runs, 17 doubles and a team-high 22 RBI. Had a .830 slugging percentage and a .552 on-base percentage and only struck out 9 times in 106 plate appearances. “She had a good freshman year but this year what I was so impressed with Alyssa was that as a sophomore, other kids on the team really looked up to her as a leader,” said South Elgin coach Jason Schaal. “That really says something. She’s so accurate with her throws and she has brains behind the plate. She led us in most offensive categories and we’re excited about the things she can do for us the next two years.”
Tori Burke Bartlett
Bartlett’s senior ace had a stellar season in pitching the 31-8 Hawks to the program’s first state Final Four appearance. Went into the state tournament 20-6 with a 1.10 ERA and 187 strikeouts in 159 innings and only 24 walks. Also hit .310 with 4 home runs and 26 RBI. “Tori’s success is owed entirely to her incredible work ethic,” said Bartlett coach Jim Wolfsmith. “She had a good but injury-plagued junior year and came back determined to have a great senior season.” Among her big games was the 1-0 sectional championship win over No. 1 Glenbard North, a game in which she struck out 13. “She’s just a hardworking kid who was undervalued by a lot of people except within the Bartlett softball community,” Wolfsmith said. “It took people a while to realize she’s pretty good.” Burke, who helped her team to a share of the Upstate Eight Valley title, will play volleyball and softball at Cardinal Stritch in Milwaukee.
Brittany Delao Streamwood
Sabres’ junior third baseman/shortstop hit .410 with 3 homers and 19 RBI in leading her team to the program’s first 10-win season in about 10 years. Had 6 doubles, 4 triples and a .687 slugging percentage. “Brittany put the barrel on the ball and hit the ball hard,” said Streamwood coach Nick Baird. “She led our team in every offensive category and played a great shortstop after moving over from third base. She became our best defensive player. She put in a lot of hard work.”
Taylor Dunne Cary-Grove
Cary-Grove’s senior center fielder was the team batting average leader as she helped the Trojans to a 27-8 season and a share of the Fox Valley (Valley) title. A repeat all-area selection, she hit .378 with 3 home runs, 30 RBI and 15 doubles. Had a .595 slugging percentage and a .402 OBP. Also had 10 stolen bases. “She was a senior leader and a captain who stepped up her game in the outfield,” said Cary-Grove coach Tammy Olson. “She took over center field for (graduated) Alexis Haley and we didn’t miss a step. She put the ball in play and took walks when she didn’t want to. She was a real team player.”
Anna Eckholm Elgin
Maroons’; sophomore third baseman had another productive season as the team’s leadoff hitter, helping Elgin to a 20-12 record. Led the team with a. 367 batting average and had 3 home runs as well as a team-high 31 runs scored. Also had 9 doubles and 4 triples and a .606 slugging percentage. Is a repeat all-area choice. “She’s stepped into the leadoff spot the last two years and been a real catalyst for us getting on base and scoring runs,” said Elgin coach Chad Dahlman. “She has a strong arm and will play anywhere we need her to play. She made the plays for us no matter where she played.”
Lindsay Efflandt Cary-Grove
Now a three-time all-area selection, Cary-Grove’s junior right-hander devastated opposing offenses again this season, going 24-7 with a 1.10 ERA and 206 strikeouts in 210-plus innings in helping her team to a 27-8 record and a share of the Fox Valley (Valley) title. Also had 9 shutouts and was a .337 hitter with 3 home runs and 19 RBI. “She kept our team under control,” said Trojans coach Tammy Olson. “Most of her outs were infield outs. She is a huge part of managing where the ball is going. She might not have had as many strikeouts this year but she kept everything in check. She’s a huge reason why our team is so successful.”
Brooke Gaylord Burlington Central
Just a sophomore, Gaylord matured as much as any player in the area this season, taking on a significant load of the pitching for the 28-9 regional champion Rockets. The crafty left-hander went 8-4 with a 2.97 ERA, striking out 59 in 69 innings. She also hi .355 with 5 home runs, 23 RBI and 8 doubles. Had a .671 slugging percentage. “Brooke Gaylord is the true example of what hard work and dedication can get you,” said BC coach Cray Allen. “She’s made unbelievable strides the last two years. She’s met my expectations and I don’t think she’s reached a ceiling yet. We’re excited what she can do the next two years. The nice part is she’s a better person than a softball player.”
Sam Golf Crystal Lake South
CL South senior contributed to the Gators’ success as a pitcher, a shortstop and a center fielder, helping her team to a 21-12 season. Hit .345 with a home run and 16 RBI. Also had 9 doubles and a .436 OBP. Was 4-1 with a 2.72 ERA as a pitcher. “Sam Golf started as a solid player and improved every season,” said Gators’ coach Scott Busam. “She has one of the strongest arms I’ve seen in my career and her ability to track down a fly ball and throw out a runner is amazing. Sam is an AP student and an incredibly intelligent softball player. Her leadership will be tough to replace.”
Maggie Hansen Jacobs
Jacobs’ senior shortstop elevated her game all season and played her best down the stretch in helping the Golden Eagles to a 25-15 record and the program’s first sectional championship. Hit .320 with 3 home runs and 25 RBI. Also had 3 doubles and a .429 OBP. “Maggie went through some periods where she was on fired and couldn’t make an out,” said Jacobs coach Jeremy Bauer. “She had good power numbers and she played a real nice shortstop for us. She had a great senior year.”
Bekah Harnish Burlington Central
Became one of the area’s top hitters this year as a sophomore, as well as showing versatility as a catcher and shortstop. Hit .471 with 4 homers and 23 RBI. Also had 15 doubles, a .835 slugging percentage and a .511 on-base percentage. Struck out 9 times in 92 at-bats in helping Central to a 28-9 season and a regional championship. “One word describes Bekah Harnish — tough,” said Rockets coach Cray Allen. “She’s just flat-out a tough kid. She raises her level when the competition level goes up. She’s a kid who teammates can count on to come through in the clutch. In addition to being one of the best athletes, she’s always there at the end of practice picking up balls and putting bases away. She’s very dedicated to Central softball.”
Katie Kirker Jacobs
A special consideration member of the all-area team, this Jacobs senior right-hander returned from two high school seasons off due to an ACL injury and then battled a nagging groin injury all season yet beat Barrington and Fremd before coming back strong in the postseason and leading her team to its first sectional championship, shutting out Cary-Grove, Hononegah and Carmel before falling to Elk Grove in the supersectional. In 28 postseason innings, she walked only 1 batter and ran through a string of 25 consecutive scoreless innings at one time. Finished the season with a 6-2 record and will play next year for Judson University. “She was definitely our postseason MVP,” said Jacobs coach Jeremy Bauer. “We’re really happy she got to contribute the way she wanted to and the way we knew she could for three years.”
Kali Kossakowski St. Edward
St. Edward junior shortstop, a repeat all-area choice, led the Green Wave with a .465 batting average and the great great granddaughter of Olympic legend Jim Thorpe led the area with 31 stolen bases, being caught just 4 times. She also struck out only 5 times in 99 at-bats. Had 8 doubles and 21 RBI, a .717 slugging percentage and a .602 OBP. “Kali had a great junior year, she is a real leader for us,” said St. Edward coach Jaci Corn. “Our wins were a result of Kali getting on base, stealing bases and scoring runs and playing solid defense at shortstop. We’re looking forward to her doing great things again next year.”
Alyssa Lach Jacobs
A rising sophomore star, Lach anchored third base for Jacobs this season, helping the Golden Eagles to a 25-14 season and the program’s first sectional championship. Hit .417 with 4 home runs, 28 RBI, 13 doubles and 3 triples. Had a .661 slugging percentage and a .441 OBP while striking out only 3 times in 127 at-bats. “She led our team in almost every offensive category and she’s only a sophomore,” said Jacobs coach Jeremy Bauer. “She definitely didn’t play like a sophomore. She played a solid third base and made plays that won game for us.”
Sarah Leudo Cary-Grove
Emerged this season as not only one of the top catchers around but also one of the top hitters. Cary-Grove’s durable junior backstop hit .369, tied Sarah Waylock’s record for home runs in a season with 7, and led her team with 33 RBI. Also had 10 doubles, 3 triples and a .728 slugging percentage and a .411 OBP. “Sarah did a tremendous job of calling games,” said Cary-Grove coach Tammy Olson. “She’s thinking well and she and Lindsay (Efflandt) were on the same page. Sarah did a nice job of taking a leadership role for us this year.”
Melany Love Dundee-Crown
Dundee-Crown senior outfielder/pitcher led the area with a .533 batting average and had 16 doubles from the leadoff spot. Led the Chargers to an 8-win season, the most games D-C has won in the past 7 years. “Mel was one of the hardest working most dedicated players I have ever coached,” said Dundee-Crown coach Tracy Beatty. “She will be a success in anything she does in life.”
Alex Morales Bartlett
This Bartlett sophomore outfielder burst onto the scene this season after not even making the JV team as a freshman. In helping the 31-8 Hawks to a share of the Upstate Eight Valley title and the program’s first state Final Four appearance, she led the team with a .386 batting average. Also had 19 RBI and drew 18 walks. She drove in the game’s only run in Bartlett’s 1-0 sectional final win over No. 1 Glenbard North. “She’s got a beautiful swing and the ball explodes off her bat,” said Bartlett coach Jim Wolfsmith, “and, she led our team in walks and on-base percentage. It’s amazing to see how she hits the ball and she plays a solid left field. I was pleasantly surprised at how she acclimated herself to the varsity level. She lives for the big moment in games and she has the potential to be our next Division I player from Bartlett.”
Hannah Perryman Elgin
The honorary captain of the all-area team, Elgin’s senior left-hander broke Liz Waller’s season strikeout record with 372 as well as Waller’s Elgin career mark with 840. Had a 1.31 ERA and a 17-9 record for the 20-12 Maroons. Of her 372 Ks, 100 of them were called thirds. Had 9 shutouts. Also hit .333 with 5 homers and 27 RBI and struck out just 3 times in 93 at-bats. “Hannah’s was one of the most dominating pitching seasons I’ve seen in baseball or softball in a long time,” said Elgin coach Chad Dahlman. A Super 60 selection.
Randi Peterson Huntley
Huntley’s junior shortstop was a key player in the Red Raiders’ success this season. She hit .465 with 14 doubles, 38 RBI and only 3 strikeouts in 101 at-bats. “Randi was our most productive and complete offensive player this season,” said Huntley coach Mark Petryniec. “She put up some of the best numbers in Huntley High School history. Randi continues to improve every year and we look forward to her continued success next season.”
Lexi Smithberg Larkin
A repeat all-area choice, this Larkin senior showed her versatility again this season by playing multiple positions. She hit .346 with 7 doubles, 2 triples and only 7 strikeouts. “Lexi led by example on the field,” said Larkin coach Anne Vogt. “She had a brilliant defensive game at shortstop in our 1-0 loss to Elgin. We moved her from third to short about 10 games into the season and she did an outstanding job at both positions, neither of which she had played in the past at Larkin. Lexi will be greatly missed by the Royals. She’s a class act player and person.”
Victoria Watt South Elgin
South Elgin’s junior second baseman/shortstop came back from a wrist injury early in the season and hit over .450 in Upstate Eight Valley play, finishing the season at .411 overall. Also had 8 doubles and 14 RBI hitting leadoff much of the time and only struck out 4 times in 81 plate appearances. “We moved her to No. 1 the last few weeks and she was a terror,” said South Elgin coach Jason Schaal. “Victoria did a lot of great things for us this season. We moved her to second base to help solidify our defense and we’re looking forward to big things from her next year.”
Kaylyn Zierke Bartlett
Bartlett’s junior catcher, Zierke had another productive season in helping the 31-8 Hawks to a share of the Upstate Eight Valley title and then the program’s first trip to a state Final Four, where they will play defending state champion Moline tonight. Was second on the team in batting average (. 369) and RBI (26) and led the Hawks in doubles with 11. “Kaylyn is just a hardworking kid who has continued the blessed streak of Division I players we’ve had here,” said Bartlett coach Jim Wolfsmith of the Temple recruit. “She’s driven to succeed and she puts a lot of time into her game. Her desire to be the best is unmatched and she’s just a tremendous athlete.”
2012 All-area roster
Player School Pos. Yr.
Liz Adams CL South C Sr.
Haley Albamonte Burlington C. 3B/C Sr.
Emily Bell Burlington C. 1B Sr.
Tiffany Bentley Hampshire SS Sr.
Sam Bolin South Elgin P/1B Sr.
Alyssa Buddle South Elgin C So.
Tori Burke Bartlett P Sr.
Brittany Delao Streamwood 3B/SS Jr.
Taylor Dunne Cary-Grove OF Sr.
Anna Eckholm Elgin 3B So.
Lindsay Efflandt Cary-Grove P Jr.
Brooke Gaylord Burlington C. P/OF So.
Sam Golf CL South P/OF Sr.
Maggie Hansen Jacobs SS Sr.
Bekah Harnish Burlington C. C/SS So.
Katie Kirker Jacobs P Sr.
Kali Kossakowski St. Edward SS Jr.
Alyssa Lach Jacobs 3B So.
Sarah Leudo Cary-Grove C Jr.
Melany Love Dundee-Crown CF/P Sr.
Alex Morales Bartlett OF So.
*Hannah Perryman Elgin P Sr.
Randi Peterson Huntley SS So.
Lexi Smithberg Larkin SS Sr.
Victoria Watt South Elgin 2B/SS Jr.
Kaylyn Zierke Bartlett C Jr.
* — Honorary captain
Honorable mention
Bartlett — Andreana Taormina (Sr., OF), Kayla Haberstich (So. IF)
Burlington Central — Sarah Kisch (Sr., C/3B), Angie Morrow (Fr. P/OF)
Cary-Grove — Sara Markelonis (Sr., 3B), Lisa Semro (So., OF)
CL South — Sam McLean (So., SS), Hailee Massie (Fr., P)
Dundee-Crown — Jessica Lewandowski (Sr., 1B)
Elgin — Monica Stockman (Jr., 1B), Jennah Perryman (So., IF/P)
Huntley — Tara Lycos (Sr., OF)
Jacobs — Nicky Chapa (Jr., 2B)
Larkin — Alex Buhrow (Jr. C)
St. Edward — Maddie Kerr (Sr. OF)
South Elgin — Paige Allen (Fr. OF)
Westminster Christian — Rachel Fugiel (So. UTIL)
Captain’s honor roll
1996 — Elizabeth Waller (Elgin)
1997 — Heather Wendt (Burlington Central)
1998 — Heather Wendt (Burlington Central)
1999 — Stacy Nagel (Larkin) and Jackie Brittain (St. Edward)
2000 — Tami Potter (Larkin)
2001 — Kim Dean (Larkin) and Kelli Gallas (Cary-Grove)
2002 — Lauren Morstad (Larkin)
2003 — Lindsey Hall (Larkin)
2004 — Tracy Korth (Larkin) and Candace Warren (Burlington Central)
2005 — Lissa Fehlman (St. Edward) and Erica Maisto (Burlington Central)
2006 — Corinne Dennison (Bartlett) and Caitlin Herina (Cary-Grove)
2007 — Christine Holthus (Burlington Central) and Sarah Waylock (Cary-Grove)
2008 — Lauren Arceneaux (Jacobs) and Kayla Oranger (Burlington Central)
2009 — Kimberly Pierce (South Elgin)
2010 — Callie Dennison (Bartlett) and Lindsay Efflandt (Cary-Grove)
2011 — Lindsay Efflandt (Cary-Grove) and Katelyn Stonecipher (South Elgin)
2012 — Hannah Perryman (Elgin)
All-area selections and capsules by John Radtke