Hoffman Estates' Ward will join Lewis' baseball program

After graduating from Hoffman Estates High School this spring, pitcher Ryan Ward will continue his baseball career at Lewis University in Romeoville.

The senior made his commitment in early December as one of seven other recruits who will join coach Tim McDonough's program.

Ward, a 6-foot-2, 216-pound right-hander, has earned three letters at Hoffman Estates and is a member of the National Honor Society and honor roll.

As a junior, Ward finished with a school-record 9 wins while losing only 3.

He had a no-hitter, 2.33 ERA, 72 strikeouts and only 13 walks.

Ward was named to the Mid-Suburban League all-conference team and was a Daily Herald all-area selection team as a junior.

“Ryan comes from a strong, supportive family and has a terrific work ethic,” said Hoffman Estates coach Todd Meador. “I knew when he joined the varsity team as a sophomore he would be a special pitcher. Every time he takes the mound our team knows he will give us a chance to win.”

Football

St. Norbert College senior defensive back Frank Laterza (St. Viator) has been named to the 25-man American Football Coaches Association Division III All-America Team.

The Barrington Hills native was one of four defensive backs selected. He is St. Norbert's first AFCA All-American since 2006.

Laterza was named Midwest Conference Defensive Skill Player of the Year following a year where he led the Green Knights to a 10-1 overall record and an unbeaten 10-win regular season.

St. Norbert won the Midwest Conference championship, its 16th since 1985, with a 16-7 win over Monmouth College in the league's title game on Nov. 14.

Laterza led the Green Knights this season with 6 interceptions with 121 return yards. He added 7 passes defended, 2 fumble recoveries and 1 forced fumble to his total of 23 tackles. St. Norbert's defense allowed just 155.5 yards passing per game and the unit finished with 21 interceptions, its most since 2006. The Green Knights also allowed just 13.4 points per game this season.

Laterza becomes the fifth St. Norbert football player to earn six AFCA All-America honors, all coming since 2000. Jerimiah Janssen was named at linebacker in 2000 and 2001, Kevin O'Malley at offensive line in 2002, Joe Masciopinto at defensive back in 2003 and Bob Forstrom at kicker in 2006.

Softball

St. Norbert sophomore Gina Mastrodomenico (St. Viator) has been named a co-captain for this year's team.

She was named co-rookie of the year for St. Norbert as a freshman. Mastrodomenico was a four-year starter at Viator.

“Frankly, I'm not surprised,” said Lions varsity coach John Scotillo about Mastrodomenico taking on a leaderhip role as a sophomore. “Gina is a natural motivator.”

Women's basketball

Carthage sophomore Morgan Harris led the Lady Reds with a game-high 26 points and 17 rebounds in a 72-57 loss to reigning national runner-up, George Fox University, in the D3Hoops.com Classic at Las Vegas' South Point Casino,

George Fox (10-0) is the third-ranked team by D3Hoops.com and second ranked team in the USA Today DIII coaches poll.

It was Harris' fourth 20-plus point performance of the season fourth double-double of the season.

“Morgan's activity was great today,” said Carthage coach Tim Bernero on the school's website. “She played with a lot of confidence and did a great job getting us the extra possessions by earning rebounds the way she did.”

Harris, who was named all-tourney, also had a game-high 21 points and 14 rebounds in a 67-60 overtime loss to St. Vincent College.

Carthage freshman Monica Masini (Palatine) scored 11 points and added 5 rebounds as the only other Lady Reds scorer in double digits.

Most recently, Harris recorded her fourth straight double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds in a 67-64 win over Millikin that was Carthage's first game of the 2016 portion of its schedule.

Women's volleyball

St. Viator sophomore Catherine Hickey, a Des Plaines native, attended the American Volleyball Coaches Association Phenom College Prep Program and NCAA Women's Volleyball Final Four last month in Omaha.

The program is an invitation-only event with the athletes included on the 2015 Phenom List.

Hickey has been identified by the AVCA as an elite rising high school volleyball student-athlete and will be recognized on the 2015 AVCA Phenom List that will be released on August 31 on the AVCA website.

The AVCA Phenom List is comprised of underclassmen who have received some form of recognition for their outstanding play.

A formal invitation to the 2015 Phenom Program will be sent to Catherine this October.

Athletes that attend the 2015 Phenom Program will attend educational sessions regarding recruiting and life as a college athlete.

They will receive tickets to Under Armour High School All-America Match and NCAA Final Four matches and interact with AVCA Collegiate All-Americans.

Also, they will undergo Volleyball Performance Index testing and participate in the AVCA Talent Showcase. During that time, the athletes will demonstrate their skills in front of the 200+ college coaches in attendance.

The event is designed to prepare and educate participants and their parents about playing volleyball at the collegiate level.

Men's hockey

Notre Dame freshman defenseman Bobby Nardella of Rosemont had a 3-point weekend to help the Irish to a pair of ties against No. 5 Minnesota-Duluth. The rookie defenseman had a goal in the first game of the series before notching his first multi-point game in the next contest to secure the second-straight 3-3 tie between the squads.

Women's golf

Barrington junior and defending Mid-Suburban League champion Reena Sulkar was recognized as a 2015 Esmark High School All-American for her outstanding achievements in athletics, academics, and community service, combined with character and perseverance.

The Esmark High School All-American Recognition program was created by Esmark Inc. Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer James P. Bouchard to recognize outstanding athletic, educational and community service achievements by high school student-athletes across the United States in 16 major sports programs. The program includes recognition of student-athletes from four U.S. geographic regions: Northeast, Southeast, Southwest and Northwest.

• Please email Sports Notes items to jleusch@dailyherald.com