Softball: Tri-Cities all-area team
By John Lemon
jlemon@dailyherald.com
Hannah Beatus, West Aurora
Beatus helped make West Aurora's return to the Upstate Eight Conference a memorable one, going 18-6 with 2 saves, a 1.63 ERA and 199 strikeouts in 172 innings. The Blackhawks tied Waubonsie Valley for the Valley title, and in two games with the Warriors Beatus beat them 2-0 in 10 innings, and struck out 17 in a 9-inning loss. Also hit .330 with 11 RBI. "We thought Hannah was capable of this," West Aurora coach Randy Hayslett said. "Her ability to pitch out of jams, she's a big-game pitcher. I can't say enough about that. She thrives on competition. She gets better with runners on base. She never backs away. She is jut a bulldog. We're so lucky to have her for two more years. She's been phenomenal."
Anna Geary, Geneva
This is the third year on the All-Area team for Geary, headed to Miami of Ohio as Geneva's all-time leader in hits (189), at-bats (459) and batting average (.412). She is second in runs (117), fifth in doubles (35), third in RBI (74) and fourth in stolen bases (33). Geary's 52 hits and .448 batting average this season both are second-best in school history. "Anna has been a great player for us from her first game to her last," Geneva coach Greg Dierks said. "Offensively she provided a great combination of speed, hitting for average, and hitting for power. Defensively she played center field and shortstop for us over the years and played them both well. She backs that up by being a top performer in the classroom and as nice of a kid as you will ever meet. She will be dearly missed."
Abby Howlett, St. Charles North
A three-time All-Area selection and this year's All-Area Captain, Howlett put up a monster senior season with a .526 batting average and 57 RBI, both tops in the area and school records. Also had 60 hits, 15 doubles, 7 home runs, 42 runs, an .867 slugging perentage, .585 on-base and 1.453 OPS. "We have been so fortunate to have had Abby for the four years she has been with the varsity," North Stars coach Tom Poulin said. "She has grown so much as a leader and is really the epitome of a captain. She remains positive and conducts herself as well as anybody we've had here."
Paige Kuefler, Kaneland
Headed to Lindenwood University in Belleville, this 4-year starter behind the plate and 2-time All-Area selection tore the cover off the ball for the Knights all year - then hit even better in the postseason. Kuefler went 2-for-3 in the regional championship win, hit home runs in both sectional victories, then went 3-for-4 in the supersectional that sent Kaneland to state for the first time since 2000. Takes a .486 average with 7 home runs, 12 doubles, 37 runs scored, 39 RBI, an .832 slugging percentage and 1.340 OPS into the Class 3A state semifinals. "She can hit wherever she wants," Kaneland coach Peter Goff said. "She's got a lttle Rod Carew in her. If it's inside and they give her inside she's going to pull and hit it. If it's outside she's going to slap it that way. If it's in her alley that's right-center and that's where it's at (her most power)."
Alex Latoria, St. Charles East
This slick-fielding third baseman has been part of some great Saints teams in her four years on varsity including back-to-back conference champions and a runner-up state finish in 2013. Latoria capped her career with a team-high .769 slugging percentage thanks to 13 doubles and 6 home runs. Also walked 19 times for a .555 on-base percentage giving her a 1.324 OPS. Drove in 37 runs and scored 41. Headed to Evansville. "Alex is a great defender with home run power always," Saints coach Kelly Horan said. "Great leader on and off the field."
Angie Morrow, Kaneland
This Wisconsin recruit dominated in the circle, winning all 8 of her Northern Illinois Big XII East games to pitch the Knights to a conference championship. Continued her success in the postseason by shutting out Lemont to win a regional crown, and blanking St. Francis in the sectional title game and Nazareth in the supersectional, improving to 17-2. In 32 postseason innings Morrow has struck out 50 with a 0.65 ERA. "She's been specatular all year," Kaneland coach Peter Goff said. "Angie is something beyond special. She will be the first one to tell you her parents have been behind her, PK (her catcher Paige Kuefler) has done a great job. And she loves her teammates. That's just the type of girl she is. She never takes credit, she always defers it on."
Taylor Podschweit, West Aurora
Headed to the University of Indianapolis, Podschweit capped her time at West Aurora in style with a .436 average, 7 home runs, 58 hits, .767 slugging percentage and 1.253 OPS. The Blackhawks won their first conferene title since 2000 and first regional since 2007 - with Podschweit going 6 for 7 with 2 doubles, a triple, a home run, 5 RBI and getting on base 8 of 9 times. And for all those offensive exploits, she might be even better defensively at shortstop with her sure hands and rocket arm. Was hitting .400 as a junior before breaking her leg and missing the playoffs. "I can't say enough good things about Taylor," West Aurora coach Randy Hayslett said of his leadoff hitter. "If you take a look at a kid who does everything right on and off the field and in practice it's Taylor. She gives 100 percent all the time. She's a coach on the field. She's an incredible role model."
Kelly Rinker, St. Charles East
Saints coach Kelly Horan raved about the work Rinker put in during the off-season. A gym rat, Rinker constantly worked on her craft to become a sure-handed shortstop in the field and leadoff hitter at the plate who ignited an explosive Saints attack. Finished with 63 hits and a .500 batting average. Got on base at a .550 clip. Stole 14 bases and scored 43 runs. On defense only made 1 error at shortstop while playing every game. "Easily the Saints' most improved player," Horan said. "Her dedication to the weight room and the sport paid off tremendously. I have kids who work so hard in the off-season and Kelly is the perfect example of that. She came in on a mission this year. She's got one of the best hands in the business. She's just done fantastic."
Rylee Stout, St. Charles East
Only a sophomore, Stout came up with several timely hits throughout the season that helped the Saints go 29-6 and win a second consecutive Upstate Eight Conference River Division championship. She provided power in the middle of the St. Charles East lineup, hitting a team-high 7 home runs. Also had 8 doubles to finish with a .405 batting average, .685 slugging percentage, and a 1.125 OPS. Drove in 35 runs and scored 29. "Rylee is a great catcher who is fundamentally sound, throws runners out and was a powerful hitter hiding in the No. 5 or 6 spot," Saints coach Kelly Horan said.
Kaitlyn Waslawski, St. Charles North
A four-year starter, Waslawski moved from second base to center field and didn't miss a beat. She hit .440 with a team-high 54 runs. Had 9 doubles, 21 RBI and stole 40 bases without being caught once. Headed to Princeton University. "Kaitlyn has been an incredible player, captain and is a true student-athlete," North Stars coach Tom Poulin said. "She is someone who is always working to become better and is never satisfied despite having outstanding seasons her first three years. This season she played center field and was as good as it gets defensively. Kaitlyn also became a slapper and has been very successful leading off for us after three years of hitting second behind Sabrina Rabin. From the perspective of a coach, it doesn't get any better than Kaitlyn Waslawski."
2015 Softball All-area roster
First team
Player School Pos. Yr.
Hannah Beatus West Aurora P So.
Anna Geary Geneva SS Sr.
Abby Howlett St. Charles North RF Sr.
Paige Kuefler Kaneland C Sr.
Alex Latoria St. Charles East 3B Sr.
Angie Morrow Kaneland P Sr.
Taylor Podschweit West Aurora SS Sr.
Kelly Rinker St. Charles East SS Jr.
Rylee Stout St. Charles East C So.
Kaitlyn Waslawski St. Charles North CF Sr.
Second team
Player School Pos. Yr.
Gabi Alfaro Aurora Central Catholic SS Sr.
Meg Cohrs Kaneland 3B Jr.
Jordan Hall St. Charles East P Jr.
Jordan Heiber St. Charles East 1B So.
Cara Jimenez West Aurora 3B Jr.
Erin Nemetz St. Charles North 3B Sr.
Kaitlyn Plocinski Geneva C So.
Annika Radabaugh Geneva 1B So.
Ryanne Rokos Batavia CF Sr.
Jordyn Wolfe St. Charles North LF So.
* - Honorary captain
Special mentionOlivia Cheatham, St. Charles East, sr., 2B; Carley Frauenhoff, West Aurora, jr., C; Amanda James, St. Charles North, jr., 2B; Katie Kolb, St. Charles East, jr., OF; Rachael Lovestrand, Batavia, so., P/2B; Paige Miller, Aurora Central Catholic, jr., P; Alex Millett, St. Charles North, sr., C; Rylie Porretto, Geneva, so., RF; Jillian Waslawski, St. Charles North, fr., P; Morgan Weber, Kaneland, so., SS.
Honorable mentionSarah Baurer, Geneva, jr., LF; Rachel Goress, Kaneland, so., CF; Sam Hausl, St. Charles North, jr., DP; Corey McCreedy, West Aurora, jr., OF; Emma Molenhouse, Rosary, jr., P; Natalie Offutt, Batavia, sr., 1B; Kendall Podschweit, West Aurora, sr., OF; Kallie Rundle, West Aurora, so., 1B; Jessica Vargas, jr., OF; Molly Wrenn, Geneva, so., 3B.
The winnersConference champions
Kaneland, St. Charles East, West Aurora
Regional champions
Kaneland, St. Charles North, West Aurora
Sectional champions
Kaneland, St. Charles North
Supersectional champion
Kaneland
The futureTeams to watch in 2016
St. Charles East, St. Charles North, Geneva, West Aurora
- All-area selections and capsules by John LemonPast captains1998: Kristyn Ludvik, St. Charles
1999: Kristyn Ludvik, St. Charles
2000: Shannon Pedersen, Geneva
2001: Sarah Goedken, Kaneland
2002: Sarah Carlson, Geneva
2003: Petra Wade, Batavia
2004: Jessica Heimann, Kaneland
2005: Kelsey Ruitenberg, Geneva
2006: Christy Engel, St. Charles North
2007: Stephanie Becker, West Aurora
2008: Kylie Schalz, Rosary
2009: Stephanie Becker, West Aurora
2010: Taylor Russell, St. Charles North
2011: Amanda Ciran, St. Charles North
2012: Delani Vest, Kaneland
2013: Sabrina Rabin, St. Charles North
2014: Sabrina Rabin, St. Charles North