Softball: Lake County all-area team

Jenny Behan Carmel

Her numbers - like 53 career home runs (third best in IHSA history), including a single-season state record of 4 grand slams this season - were Jurassic in size. But not everything the strong-armed third baseman did well was jaw-dropping. "She's got fantastic individual numbers," coach Jason Raymond said of his four-year all-area selection and the captain of the 2014 all-area team. "But it's the little things that she does with her teammates and playing the game the right way - sacrifice flies, taking walks instead of going for the fence. It's great having players like that leading the program." Behan's senior season included 66 hits, including 17 home runs and 14 doubles, and 63 RBI. She also walked 21 times, scored 63 runs and struck out just eight times. Her .532 batting average set the school record for the third year in a row. She'll continue her softball career at James Madison University.

Hannah Bulgart Mundelein

A labrum tear her junior took away at-bats in the spring of 2014. The injury never took away her passion to play softball. Bulgart returned to full-time duty in the outfield this season and was a force in the middle of the Mustangs' batting order. She hit .436 with 6 home runs, 13 doubles and 38 RBI. "Hannah could not wait to get back in her Mundelein jersey and start playing again," coach Brett Wilhelm said. "Her off-season work ethic and just love and passion for the game is something that's going to be truly missed as a coach. I can honestly say she's one of the most coachable kids I've ever encountered. She's a tremendous asset to any team she's on. She's such a great kid." A four-year varsity player, Bulgart will next play for Augustana College.

Maria DeVito Mundelein

Her staggering numbers from 2014 - .522 batting average, 66 hits, including 12 home runs - took a slight dip. That's because teams learned to be careful when pitching to the left-handed slugger. DeVito still led the Mustangs in batting average (. 486), on-base percentage (. 544) and RBI (42), while producing 22 extra-base hits (53 total hits), including 6 homers and 15 doubles. "As coaches start to see you more, they start to pitch around you a little more," coach Brett Wilhelm said. "You don't see the pitches that you used to see as a younger player. For her numbers to still stay up there and for her to do what she did for us this year, I think that's tough to do." The second baseman started four years on varsity and is a repeat all-area selection. She plans to continue her softball career at Eastern Illinois University as a walk-on.

Molly Dietz Lakes

Dietz accomplished some neat feats. Like 10 home runs as a freshman this season. The lefty-hitting first baseman also whacked 15 doubles, knocked in 43 runs and batted .480 with a .518 on-base percentage. She displayed maturity at the plate beyond her years, striking out only five times. "She's a very disciplined hitter," coach Bill Hamill said. "When she got two strikes on her, she would fight off a pitch and fight off a pitch, until the pitcher made a mistake."

Julienne Egofske Warren

The first-year varsity player provided a longball threat from the left side for the defending Class 4A state champs. The Blue Devils' designated player belted 8 home runs and hit the ball hard regularly, posting a .429 batting average and .796 slugging percentage. "She doesn't walk much," coach Jenna Anderson said. "She wants to get up there and hit. If she can get a bat on it, she's going to do it. She's very aggressive on the bases and in the box." A left-handed thrower as well, Egofske will be a candidate to start at first base next year. She also pitches.

Amanda Elert Carmel

After missing last season with an ACL injury, the junior catcher didn't miss a beat - nor her ability to homer with the bases loaded. Her 10 home runs included 2 grand slams, the same amount she had in an all-area campaign as a freshman. She finished with 64 hits, including 10 doubles as well, hitting .516 with 55 RBI. She was a more refined hitter this year compared to two years ago. "She picked up her on-base percentage and (batting) average," coach Jason Raymond said of his cleanup hitter. "Just that stick in the middle of the order protecting Jenny (Behan) was huge for us."

Jill Foote Antioch

Foote is more than fleet-footed. The athletic third baseman was one of the top freshman players in the county last season and followed up with an even better campaign for the Sequoits. "Jill is patient at the plate," coach Anthony Rocco said. After batting .398 with 20 stolen bases last year, the sophomore hit .418 with 9 doubles, 4 triples, 3 homers and 40 RBI. She used her speed to steal 22 bases and score 34 runs. The only time she was thrown out stealing was when she over-slid second base.

Jen Giesey Carmel

The off-season pickup could pick it. In her first season as a Corsair, the Marian Central transfer provided a boost at the top of the batting order while also providing top-notch defense at shortstop. She hit .366 with her 52 hits including 8 doubles, 1 triple and 6 home runs. The sophomore also knocked in 41 runs and scored 54 times for the 30-game winners. "Offensively, she was great. She fit right in," coach Jason Raymond said. "But (just as importantly) she really stabilized us defensively. In conference, we gave up 139 runs last year, and this year we gave up 92. She was a big part of that."

Amanda Guercio Lake Zurich

She doubled in her final at-bat of the season. Which was fitting considering the Bears were competitive down to their last out with their sophomore catcher in the lineup. A repeat all-area choice, Guercio hit .457 with 13 doubles, 8 triples, 2 home runs and 40 RBI. She also scored 43 runs and stole 10 bases in as many attempts. "Amanda is a huge asset for our team," said coach Amanda Rodriguez, whose Bears won the Class 4A Buffalo Grove regional. "She takes command of field. She communicates well with her teammates and her coaches. She is the player that comes early and stays late. I am grateful to be able to have her for two more years."

Hannah Heraty Libertyville

Fans got a glimpse of the sophomore's athletic ability during the varsity basketball season, as she started at guard. She hit different kinds of shots this spring, hitting .466 with 9 homers and 46 RBI. She posted a .530 on-base percentage, slugged at an .845 clip and stole 12 bases. She also excelled in the circle, winning 19 games, second-best in school history. She posted a 3.22 ERA with 135 strikeouts and 38 walks. "Hannah did a great job stepping into a big role for us as a first-year varsity starter," coach Elissa Wisniewski said. "Her ability to work as hard as she does at such a young age sets up a bright future."

Emily Hudgins Warren

Verbally committed to Penn State before she played one inning of varsity softball, the sophomore center fielder showed why she is a Division I recruit. Batting at the top of the order, the lefty hitter did more than just slap, hitting the ball to all fields with authority. She hit .481 with a .529 on-base percentage. "She was really good in the outfield and she got on base all the time," coach Jenna Anderson said. "She has a good mix of speed and power, and she can lay down a bunt."

Taylor Koenigs Stevenson

She'll go down as one of the Patriots' best players ever and led the team to one of its most-memorable postseason runs. A No.-10 seed, the Patriots advanced to the Class 4A Barrington supersectional. Koenigs led the way, posting a .495 batting average with 9 home runs, 8 triples and 37 RBI. Her home-run total matched last year's, when she set the school record. "She's Ms. Clutch," coach Alex Vikartofsky said of her senior shortstop, who's a three-time all-area selection. "She comes through with the big hits and big plays whenever the team needs her to. She's got a great spirit and keeps her teammates in the game in the dugout and on the field. She sets the defensive tone for us in the infield."

Sarah Koesser Carmel

Her pair of 3-run homers in the Corsairs' sectional-semifinal win over Lakes were not surprising. Rising to the occasion in those kinds of moments was what she often did during her three-year varsity career. "Very clutch," coach Jason Raymond said. Koesser patrolled first base the last two springs. This season she belted 11 homers and drove in 41 runs, hitting .374 (43 hits). Her sixth double of the season was 1 of just 2 hits the Corsairs had in their sectional-final loss to Wauconda. "She's improved steadily over the last three years," Raymond said. "Her power numbers went up every single year."

Dana Meline Vernon Hills

The junior improved defensively in her third varsity season and, equally impressive, she even got better offensively. A .443 hitter last season, the slap hitter posted a .509 batting average, racking up 56 hits. She scored 38 runs for a Cougars team that nearly upset eventual sectional-champ Wauconda in the regional finals. She is an all-area player for the second year in a row. "Dana made the rest of the fielders better, and that's what leaders do," coach Jan Pauly said. "She will be one of the team captions next year. Slappers, like Dana, have the potential to ignite a team's offense, and that's what Dana did. She lead our team in hitting and stolen bases and will be a huge threat again next year."

Hannah Nommensen Warren

She had the daunting task of taking over in the circle for a team that entered the season as the defending Class 4A state champ. Despite being just a sophomore and first-year varsity player, she was unfazed. Nommensen pitched the Blue Devils to the North Suburban Conference championship as well as a regional title. She went 15-1 with a 2.50 ERA, striking out 204 batters in 132 innings. "She was in a lot of pressure situations and kept her cool," coach Jenna Anderson said. "She played freshman ball last year. It's not like she played even on the JV level. To make that jump from freshman to varsity, and to have that much composure and do that well, is amazing."

Vera Pflugradt Stevenson

Pflugradt flat-out flies. Note her 33 stolen bases for the sectional champs. "She sets the offensive tone for the game with her bat and is a stud in the outfield," coach Alex Vikartofsky said of her center fielder. "As a sophomore, she has stepped into a leadership position, taking charge in center and making fantastic plays." A second-year varsity starter, Pflugradt scored 45 runs and posted a .467 batting average and .583 on-base percentage. "She will be a force to be reckoned with over the next two years," Vikartofsky said.

Sami Saliba Vernon Hills

Sami Saliba socked softballs and solidified second. The junior hit .455 with her 50 hits including 14 for extra bases. She also knocked in 33 runs, providing the Cougars a legitimate middle-of-the-order hitter. "Sami is a leader on and off the field and will be one of the team captains next year,"coach Jan Pauly said of her second baseman and returning varsity player. "Sami plays softball with passion, and her hard work all season certainly paid off." Saliba was awarded all-academic all conference honors.

McKenzie Sancken Grant

Barehanded plays by baseball infielders are one thing. Barehanded plays by softball infielders are something highly special. Coach Mike Dolezal remembers one such play his junior shortstop made this season. "The ball took a funny hop," Dolezal said. "She shifted her weight, barehanded this thing and threw the girl out. I was like, 'Wow.' " Sancken, a three-year varsity starter, also hit well, posting a .347 batting average with 4 home runs. "She really tried to carry the team," Dolezal said. "Kenzie is pretty hard on herself, but she's really a wonderful player. She's one of the best fielders I've seen. She makes some incredible plays."

Cassidy Schaar Lakes

Her fourth season on varsity provided a new challenge: another position change. Which she handled like a groundball - flawlessly. The Eagles' starting center fielder as a freshman, she patrolled shortstop for two springs in a row before moving to third base early in her senior season. "We moved her to third base because she wanted to play close," coach Bill Hamill said. "It wasn't like she didn't get a lot of groundballs there." Schaar made only 1 error at third base. At the plate, she batted .377 with 7 doubles, 5 triples, her first varsity home run and 32 RBI. She also scored 32 runs and struck only six times. "I've seen anyone better with two strikes," Hamill said. "She can spray the ball to all fields. The intangibles are what Cassidy brings to the game." Schaar will continue her softball career at Iowa Central Community College.

Brooke Sefcik Wauconda

Sidelined her sophomore season due to a back injury, after starting on varsity as a freshman, she showed early this spring that she was indeed, well, back. Sefcik hit 6 home runs in the first couple of weeks of the season. Her 10th of the season, a 2-run shot, provided the only runs in the Bulldogs' sectional-semifinal win over Antioch. In the team's sectional final against Carmel, she went 2-for-2 with a 2-run single and pair of walks. "Brooke is settling in and getting her swing back," coach Tim Rennels said after the team's third sectional title in a row. "She's dangerous right now. ... She had a little slump but she worked on a couple of mechanical things. She worked real hard with her dad (former Driscoll baseball coach Jeff Sefcik). She was fully aware of what little glitch was going on and she made adjustments." Sefcik finished with a .394 batting average and .485 on-base percentage (team-leading 20 walks). She had 6 doubles and 39 RBI and slugged at a .725 clip.

Ashley Stephens Antioch

The bat is impressive and so is the versatility of the sophomore. She started in right field last year and played second base this season. "Eventually she's going to end moving to shortstop with Jess Pedersen (graduating)," coach Anthony Rocco said. "She's a natural shortstop. I think her (playing second base) was the best move for us so she could learn from Jess and be closer to her (on the field)." Stephens hit .435 as a freshman and actually increased her batting average to .451 this season, all while being bumped up to the middle of the order. She racked up 9 doubles, 4 triples, 6 home runs, 56 RBI and 40 runs. She also stole 15 bases in 17 attempts. "Ashley could have two bad-pitch strikes (swinging)," Rocco said, "and then make great contact."

Jamie Stevens Libertyville

When she wasn't hitting, she was getting hit. A repeat all-area selection, the junior batted .464 with a .542 on-base percentage, the latter of which was aided by the 11 times she was hit by a pitch. She racked up 39 RBI and stole 13 bases. She started at third base for the third varsity season in a row and also saw time at shortstop. "Jamie is one of the most competitive players to go through the program during my time at Libertyville," coach Elissa Wisniewski said. "She not only comes up with clutch hits with her bat, but is also fierce on defense and will not let a ball by her. She is a gutsy player, and her confidence and vocal leadership on the fields set the tone for our team.

Katie Strickland Grayslake Central

Strickland isn't strictly one-dimensional as a softball player. While her versatility as a hitter was valuable, her defensive ability was probably more important for the Rams. A three-year varsity player, she called the pitches again this season. "She's called her own game for a long time, probably ever since she was 14," coach Jason Schaal said. A three-year varsity starter, she was valuable offensively, too, batting anywhere from second to sixth in Schaal's lineup. Her 4 home runs were the first of her varsity career. She finished with a .333 batting average, with her 35 hits also including 8 doubles. Schaal lauded her "come ready to play and ready to work" attitude.

Kayla Switalla Grayslake North

She could ignite a great start for the Knights, and in a late-season contest against Grayslake Central she ended a game by delivering a walk-off double. The Knights' leadoff batter hit .431 with a .521 on-base percentage. She displayed some gap power, too, hitting 11 doubles (three in the Grayslake Central game), 5 homers and 4 triples. The senior also played a strong shortstop. "(She) proved herself to be one of North's best leadoff hitters," coach Molly Tomlinson said. "She was a fierce defender at shortstop with an impeccable ability to lead the team by example."

Sabrina Trevino Warren

After hitting 7 home runs for the Class 4A state champs last year, the junior third baseman had a goal of reaching double digits this season. She accomplished that with still a month to go in the season. She finished with 17 home runs, while batting .377 with .429 on-base and .877 slugging percentages. "I think having another year under her belt really helped her out a lot," coach Jenna Anderson said. "She played good competition over the summer too, so she's seen a lot of good pitching." Trevino set Warren's single-season and career home-run records this season. "She waits back," Anderson said, "and it's, 'See ya.' "

Teagan Truskowski

The junior went from designated player last season to everyday second baseman this spring. She not only played well defensively but continued to shine with the bat. "For a leadoff hitter, I couldn't ask for anything more," coach Jason Schaal said. "She did it all for us." Truskowski hit a team-best .403 with her 48 hits including 11 doubles, 1 triple and 4 home runs. She also drove in 28 runs, scored 40 times and posted a .463 on-base percentage.

Kayla Wedl

Don't let the 5-foot-7, 125-pound frame fool you. Wedl was a beast again in her third varsity season, all have which have seen the Bulldogs reach the Class 3A supersectional round. The captain of the Daily Herald Lake County All-Area team, she is a three-year all-area player with another season to go. While her pitching numbers - including 381 strikeouts, a 0.73 ERA and 4 no-hitters - were jaw-dropping again, she also hit .517 with 18 doubles, 5 triples and a career-high 14 homers, including a pair of 2-run shots against Carmel in the sectional finals. Her 3-run homer in the bottom of the seventh against Vernon Hills in the regional finals forced extra innings. She finished with 61 hits, 53 runs scored, a staggering 1.110 slugging percentage and 48 RBI, while striking out only twice. "Not bad," coach Tim Rennels said with a laugh. "The kid's amazing."

Maddie Zazas Mundelein

The Mustangs nominated their senior shortstop for all-state honors. She certainly has her place in state history, at least. Her 18 doubles this season hiked her school-record total to 60, which going into this year would have ranked her in the top 10 in the IHSA record books. "It's going to be tough to see a girl like Maddie go, with what she can do for us defensively and offensively," coach Brett Wilhelm said. "It's remarkable to see that she's top 10 in career doubles because I think a lot of times she wows people more defensively and gets complimented more about her defense." Zazas hit .468 with her team-leading 58 hits also including 2 triples and 3 home runs. She also led the Mustangs in runs scored with 60 and drove in 28 runs. She will play softball at Concordia University Wisconsin.

All-area roster

Player School Yr. Pos.

Jenny Behan Carmel Sr. 3B

Hannah Bulgart Mundelein Sr. RF

Maria DeVito Mundelein Sr. 3B

Molly Dietz Lakes Fr. 1B

Julienne Egofske Warren So. DP

Amanda Elert Carmel Jr. C

Jill Foote Antioch So. 3B

Jen Giesey Carmel So. SS

Amanda Guercio Lake Zurich So. C

Hannah Heraty Libertyville So. P

Emily Hudgins Warren So. CF

Taylor Koenigs Stevenson Sr. SS

Sarah Koesser Carmel Sr. 1B

Dana Meline Vernon Hills Jr. SS

Hannah Nommensen Warren So. P

Vera Pflugradt Stevenson So. CF

Sami Saliba Vernon Hills Jr. 2B

McKenzie Sancken Grant Jr. SS

Cassidy Schaar Lakes Sr. 3B

Brooke Sefcik Wauconda Jr. SS

Ashley Stephens Antioch So. 2B

Jamie Stevens Libertyville Jr. 3B/SS

Katie Strickland Grayslake Central Sr. C

Kayla Switalla Grayslake North Sr. SS

Sabrina Trevino Warren Jr. 3B

Teagan Truskowski Grayslake Central Jr. 2B

*Kayla Wedl Wauconda Jr. P

Maddie Zazas Mundelein Sr. SS

* All-area team captain

Honorable mentionRachel Becker (Lakes Fr. SS), Rachele Belletini (Warren Sr. 1B), Erin Bengston (Grant Fr. C/3B), Karlee Busscher (Mundelein Jr. 3B), Dani Comitor (Vernon Hills Jr. 1B/P), Dani DeLozier (Carmel Jr. 2B), Jessie Lauret (Libertyville Jr. SS/P), Maggie Mahar (Mundelein Sr. C), Taylor McCarthy (Wauconda Jr. C), Kayleigh McGovern (Stevenson Sr. C/DP), Shannon McKeon (Warren Sr. SS), Nicole Parney (Mundelein Jr. P), Jessica Pedersen (Antioch Sr. SS), Ally Perdue (Lakes Jr. P), Myra Peterson (Stevenson Jr. P), Claire Petrus (Carmel Jr. P), Brittney Pettinger (Lake Zurich Sr. 2B), Trisha Porzycki (Stevenson Jr. RF), Jessica Puccinelli (Lake Zurich So. CF), Reagen Radke (Grayslake Central So. P), Kenzie Rother (Libertyville So. RF), Hannah Skoog (Antioch Sr. CF), Alex Steffens (Wauconda So. C/1B), Hayley Steinberg (Round Lake Sr. 1B), Jessica Vaughn (Grayslake North Jr. P/SS), Ashley Wegner (Round Lake Sr. P), Jordyn West (Mundelein So. CF), Beka Wold (Grant So. 3B)

Selections and profiles by Joe Aguilar