Softball: Fox Valley All-Area softball team
Kristina Ahlers Burlington CentralFew players produced at the plate like the Rockets' shortstop. Blistered the ball all spring to the tune of a .570 average with 9 doubles, 4 triples, 12 home runs, 43 RBI and 43 runs. “Does she have a lot of power,” Rockets coach Erica Maisto said. “Every time she comes up to bat I'm excited to see what she does. She's got a strong arm at short and has a lot of range to get tough balls and make plays. I'm excited she's only a junior and I have her for another year.”
Hannah Beatus West AuroraThe junior ace repeat All-Area selection, Upstate Eight Valley pitcher of the year and Grand Valley commit finished 14-4 with a 0.78 ERA and 208 strikeouts in 118 innings, shutting out 10 teams including St. Charles East, St. Charles North, DeKalb, Bartlett and South Elgin. Won 18 games as a sophomore with 199 strikeouts. Also took over as the Blackhawks' leadoff hitter and had 2 home runs, hitting .341. “Can never say enough,” West Aurora coach Randy Hayslett said. “Big-game pitcher. Continues to grow as a hitter. A true student of the game as passionate about softball as anyone I have ever met.”
Emily Borg Jacobs The senior first baseman was the one to fear in the Jacobs lineup, not just this spring but the past four. A repeat All-Area and Fox Valley All-Conference selection, she blasted 6 home runs to finish her career with 27. Batted .470 with a .563 OBP, 29 RBI and 22 runs. “Emily led our team in all major offensive categories from the first game of the season until the last one,” Jacobs coach Katie O'Brien said. “She has evolved into a very disciplined hitter and has found a way to significantly contribute to every game. Emily has been a valued asset to our varsity team for the past four years and will be impossible to replace.”
Meg Cohrs KanelandThis 4-year starter heads to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater after batting .464 with 16 doubles, 6 home runs, 42 RBI and a 1.331 OPS. “It's going to be tough losing a young lady like Meg,” Kaneland coach Mike Kueffler said. “Everyone who watches her play sees the athlete, her skills at third, and her tremendous hitting. What you don't see is her knowledge of the game. She talks the game so well to her teammates and coaches and she's spot on with points and observations. You don't find too many kids who know the game as well as Meg.”
Jessica Daley StreamwoodThe senior was a force at the plate for the Sabres with a .517 batting average, .954 slugging percentage and 1.537 OPS. Earned all-Upstate Eight Conference honors with 23 doubles, 5 home runs, 28 runs, 39 RBI and only 4 strikeouts in 105 plate appearances. Won 9 of the Sabres' 13 games this year with 118 strikeouts in 109 innings. “Jessica was a key player and will be missed,” Streamwood coach Natalie Randazzo said. “She was an outstanding player and worked very hard this season.”
Peyton De Chant HampshireThis junior Loyola recruit led the Whip-Purs to a regional championship by batting .500 with a .551 on-base percentage, 6 home runs and 32 RBI. “Peyton is a great physical presence to have on any team,” Hampshire coach Kelly Wasilewski said. “She has the potential to dominate any situation brought her way both offensively and defensively, which can make things difficult for our opponents. We are looking forward to having her back next season and watching her grow and mature as an all-around team player.”
Amber Derr South ElginThis senior shortstop earned Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division All-Conference honors after hitting .489 with 10 doubles, 2 home runs, 34 RBI and a 1.207 OPS. Had more walks (13) than strikeouts (11). Along with senior second baseman Alexa Rogalla, the duo made the Storm strong up the middle. “They were great captains and leaders and solidified our middle,” South Elgin coach Brad Reynard said. “Offensively they have been our best the entire season. My only regret is that I do not have another season with them.”
Carley Frauenhoff West Aurora A .380 hitter with 27 RBI and a 1.017 OPS, Frauenhoff is a rare three-sport standout athlete (tennis, basketball, softball) and a three-year softball starter who played a key role in the Blackhawks going undefeated in the Upstate Eight Conference this spring and 26-4 overall. Will play basketball, and possibly softball, at St. Norbert in Wisconsin. “Her value doesn't get accurately represented in statistics,” West Aurora coach Randy Hayslett said. “She catches two hard-throwing pitchers, she's a team leader and captain who always delivered in the clutch for us. It will be one of our hardest voids to fill next year. She was our best off-speed hitter, one of our best contact hitters, and the team leader over the last 3 years.”
Toni Galas BataviaThis junior played stellar defense in center field while also helping at shortstop. Batted a team-best .472 with 49 runs and a .537 on-base percentage. Stole 34 bases while only being caught once. Made UEC River all-conference for the second time. “She's the spark to our offense with that speed,” Batavia coach Lupe Castellanos said. “If she gets on base there's a lot of things we can do. She's got that triple threat, she can slap the ball, place the ball, she's got power. She's a great athlete in center field.”
Kate Geary Geneva Geneva coach Greg Dierks called Geary the best defensive outfielder he's ever coached, but the sophomore showed her team mindset by handling shortstop this year for the Vikings. Disciplined hitter who walked 19 times, was hit by a pitch 7 and struck out only 4 to get on base at a .556 clip. Scored 46 runs, had 41 hits, stole 22 bases and batted .410. “Kate Geary excels at softball because she plays full speed and head first at all times,” Dierks said. “She is our best defensive player and the best base runner I have ever coached.”
Jordan Hall St. Charles EastHall held Schaumburg to 2 runs, pitching St. Charles East to a Class 4A regional championship. That was a pretty typical effort for the senior who took on the best hitting offenses in the area and usually held them down. The University of Minnesota-Morehead recruit went 18-5 with 89 strikeouts and a 2.47 ERA while batting .337 with 6 home runs and 24 RBI. “She's pitched the big games for us this year,” Saints coach Jared Gutesha said. “She does a wonderful job of keeping hitters off balance. She throws hard but she mixes speeds. Even some of the better hitters we've faced, she does a nice job of getting those girls out as well.”
Sam Hausl St. Charles NorthHausl, who along with her sister Allison will play at University of Wisconsin-Parkside, hit .420 with 4 home runs, 10 doubles, 22 RBI and a team-best 1.183 OPS. She impacted the game even more behind the plate, constantly throwing behind runners to pick them off and taking away the opponent's running game. Picked off 14 runners in 26 games catching. Four-year varsity player and all-UEC pick. “Sam could coach,” St. Charles North coach Tom Poulin said. “She is close to being able to coach right now. We've had some great catchers here and she had to wait in the wings. She made the most of her senior season. She is tough as nails. She was such a weapon back there.”
Elyse Hickey Bartlett
Hickey, committed to Evansville, tore the cover off the ball. The junior hit .556 with a .956 slugging percentage, 50 hits in 90 at-bats with 11 doubles, 5 triples, 5 home runs, 38 runs and 21 RBI. Walked 21 times to just 15 strikeouts. Made the Upstate Eight all-conference team. “She had a monster year everywhere,” Bartlett coach Jim Wolfsmith said. “Elyse is a great hitter who really has come into her own. She can defend, she can hit. She literally can do it all on the softball field.”
Amanda James St. Charles NorthHeaded to St. Leo University, this senior third baseman led the Upstate Eight Conference River Division champions with 7 home runs, 41 runs and 38 RBI. She batted .416 with 7 doubles, 2 triples and 11 stolen bases. Had a .733 slugging percentage and 1.179 OPS. A 2-year starter and 4-varsity player who broke Ashley Seering's career home run record with 18. UEC River position player of the year. “Amanda has come so far,” St. Charles North coach Tom Poulin said. “She always had great physical ability. She made great strides in the mental part of the game. She is one of the best athletes we've had. Very versatile. She has all the tools.”
Cara Jimenez West AuroraA 4-year starter, the sweet swinging third baseman saved her best for last, blasting 8 home runs to finish her career with the most in school history. Most valuable position player of the Upstate Eight Valley who batted .404 with 8 doubles, a team-high 33 RBI and a 1.287 OPS. “Cara came through with the power numbers this year,” West Aurora coach Randy Hayslett said. “One of the hardest hitters in the area to strike out, tremendous power, and defensively had a great year at third base. Not sure how many hitters hit the ball harder than Cara — a team captain and leader. Another big void to fill.”
Katie Keller GenevaIn her first year playing varsity softball, all Keller did was set the school record with a .510 batting average. A rare left-handed catcher, the sophomore led off for the Vikings and finished with 61 hits — also a school record — with 16 doubles, 5 home runs, 29 RBI, 47 runs, a .601 on-base percentage and a 1.374 OPS. “Katie exploded on the scene by hitting a home run in her first at-bat and never stopped hitting,” Geneva coach Greg Dierks said. “The enjoyment she gets from playing softball is second to none.”
Emily Kisch Burlington CentralBurlington Central softball won't be the same next spring without this four-year starter. Headed to Upper Iowa University, Kisch pitched the Rockets to a regional title with a 15-6 record, 166 strikeouts in 138.2 innings, and a 2.06 ERA. Shut out West Aurora 1-0. Also was an outstanding hitter with a .496 average, 13 doubles, 3 triples, 4 home runs, 16 RBI and 42 runs. “She performed and pitched like I had hoped she would,” Rockets coach Erica Maisto said. “She has great movement and can get out of tough situations. She also helped us defensively in the outfield. She did a great job being our leadoff hitter.”
Katie Kolb St. Charles EastKolb has been part of some of great Saints team, starting in left field as a freshman on St. Charles East's 2013 Class 4A state runner-up. Headed to Winona State, Kolb concluded her high school days hitting .491 with a .580 on-base percentage, 38 runs, 15 doubles and 19 stolen bases. Upstate Eight all-conference selection. “The biggest thing is she's been a great leader for us,” Saints coach Jarod Gutesha said. “She has done a very good job of making sure the team acts the way we want it to act.”
Paige Miller Aurora Central Catholic As a freshman Miller led Aurora Central Catholic all the way to the supersectional, and she concluded her senior season with another big year batting a team-high .483. Miller slugged .854 with 16 doubles and 7 triples, 30 RBI and 23 runs. “Paige has been consistent all season and actually got better as the year went on,” Chargers coach Tom Babyar said. “Paige is one of the best base runners I have ever coached, better than average speed with great instincts. Paige had three times more walks than she did strikeouts which is very unusual.”
Ali Moberg St. Charles NorthThis junior first baseman hit cleanup all season for the Upstate Eight Conference River Division champions and finished second on the team with 26 RBI. Had a .396 batting average, 8 doubles, 5 home runs, a .467 on-base percentage and a 1.115 OPS. Two-year starter and all-conference selection. “She can do it all at the plate,” St. Charles North coach Tom Poulin said. “She is an intelligent player. She's one of those kids coaches love having because she soaks up all the coaching, she's a phenomenal teammate. The kids on the team call her ‘mom.' She's just a joy to be around.”
Hayley O'Mara Huntley After batting .425 with 13 doubles, 8 home runs, 40 RBI and a 1.203 OPS on the winningest Huntley team in school history, O'Mara leaves big shoes to fill as she heads to Davenport University in Michigan. She homered in her final at-bat of her high school career, a sectional loss to Barrington. “Hayley is leaving Huntley as one of our top power hitters and defensive players of all time,” Huntley coach Mark Petryniec said. “We will have some large offensive numbers to replace next season. She has been a model of consistency at second base and a big contributor to our much improved defensive success this season. Hayley will be missed greatly.”
Taylor Rotondo BartlettRotondo, a sophomore, provided much of the thunder in Bartlett's lineup with 7 home runs and 44 RBI. Finished with a .396 batting average, 12 doubles and a .743 slugging percentage. Hawks coach Jim Wolfsmith also was impressed with her defense behind the plate, at first base and third base. Made the Upstate Eight all-conference team. “Taylor did a lot of heavy lifting for us,” Wolfsmith said. “She led us going away in RBI. Really nice season for her first full season up. Her future is bright.”
Jessica Shields HuntleyThe University of Wisconsin-Parkside recruit stole an amazing 67 bases in 71 attempts. A triple threat slap hitter with 5 doubles and 3 triples. Hit .727 with runners in scoring position and .536 overall. Moved from center field to shortstop. “Jessica has been our sparkplug to get everything started this year,” Huntley coach Mark Petryniec said. “Jessica can turn a single, walk or hit by pitch into a triple by stealing second and third. Jessica has had extreme patience at the plate. It has been a pleasure coaching her the last four years.”
Rylee Stout St. Charles EastSaints coach Jarod Gutesha penciled Stout into his cleanup spot and left the Winona State-bound junior there all year, watching her hit .469 with 15 doubles, 9 home runs, 51 RBI and a 1.364 slugging percentage. Also impressed with her play behind the plate. “She's got a quick bat,” Gutesha said. “She's not one of those kids you look at and think she's a big, strong kid. But she has tremendous bat speed. (Defensively) she's a solid as she can be. Not many balls get by her. You are comfortable with any pitch our pitchers want to throw. She's got a good arm, teams aren't able to run on her. That's huge.”
Allison Stratman St. Edward
Stratman was a key driver in St. Edward becoming the first Elgin high school team to reach the softball state semifinals. The senior catcher hit .405 with 45 hits in 111 at-bats. She scored 50 runs, belted 12 doubles and 4 home runs and drove in 27 runs. “Allie was the unsung hero back there,” said St. Edward coach Paul Netzel. “She had an excellent fielding percentage with all those strikeouts Lindsay (Zdroik) had. She had very few passed balls. I had all the confidence in Allie calling games. She had the right game plan. Both of them were so well prepared for the season that the only thing I had to get them ready for was the notion that we may go downstate because they were that good of a battery combination.”
Lindsay Zdroik St. Edward
Whether it was with her arm or bat, Zdroik, the 2016 Honorary Captain of the Daily Herald's Fox Valley All-Area softball team, was a constant high-level producer for a St. Edward Green Wave team that won 25 games and finished fourth in the state in Class 2A. Zdroik, now the school's all-time career strikeout record holder with 781, hit .550 with 55 hits in 100 at-bats. She belted 12 home runs to go with 68 RBI and had a slugging percentage of 1.020. In the circle, Zdroik was lights-out, going 16-5 with a 1.22 ERA. She struck out 247 batters in 143 innings (1.72 per inning), while allowing only 91 hits and issuing only 24 walks. “Lindsay set the bar so doggone high that everybody kept rising to the occasion,” said St. Edward coach Paul Netzel.