Softball: Scouting the Fox Valley
Aurora Central CatholicCoach: Tom Babyar
Conference: Metro Suburban
2016 record: 15-17, 6-6
Top returning players: Seniors Jessica Eallanardo (C), Valerie Litrenta (SS), Bridget Butler (2B), Hannah Baxter (OF); Junior Jessica Kling (LF); Sophomore Danielle Brown (P/3B)
Top newcomers: Junior Rachel Haley (1B); Sophomore Isabell Gonzalez (1B/3B/OF); Freshmen Izzy Hernandez (P/3B/OF), Alheia Velazquez (CF)
Season outlook: The Chargers have an ace up their sleeve — and a No. 3 hitter in the middle of the order — in Brown, who had a memorable freshman season. “She hit .450 and drove in a ton of runs. She is a big-time player. She throws the ball pretty well. She has been working on her change-up. She's as good of a freshman as I've ever had.” Babyar likes the way Eallanardo handles the pitchers and expects a big year at the plate. Gonzalez is a transfer from Oswego who will help immediately, according to Babyar. “It's hard to say,” Babyar said of expectations. “If Danny and Izzy are on, I hate to put the pressure on them, but we could be pretty decent. Last year we lacked the consistency at the plate. We have to cut down on the strikeouts. If we do that I think we could be a pretty decent team. They are working hard. Spirits seem good. They want to play some ball.”
Aurora ChristianCoach: Rich Hazlett
Conference: Northeastern Athletic Conference
Top returning players: Senior Millie Britt (3B); Junior Raeann Holloway (P/RF); Sophomores Callie Britt (C), Grace Folino (CF/SS), Janae Holloway (SS/C), Tori Cammarano (P/LF)
Top newcomers: Freshman Noelle Chaney (P)
Season outlook: With 11 returning players and 18 out for the team, Hazlett is optimistic this will be an improved Eagles team. Millie Britt, Callie Britt, Folino and Janae Holloway all made all-conference last year. “We are expecting those four to lead the way for us again this year both offensively and defensively,” said Hazlett, who is hoping for more depth in the circle. “In addition to Tori Cammarano, who carried us through the last season as our lone freshman pitcher due to some injuries to our pitching staff, Noelle Chaney will add depth and speed to our rotation as well as Raeann Holloway, if she can keep healthy,” Hazlett said. “We have some depth at each position. Our team has struggled with numbers and having several girls who have never played before and each year we keep getting better. We would like to see this year as our breakout year and for it to be the best one yet.” Getting to .500 would be a big step forward for the Eagles. “Last year our goal was to score in every game and this year we've set a goal to win at least half our games. We continue to be a team every year that no matter what happens we fight to the end with great attitudes and never give up. We don't expect this year to be any different.”
BartlettCoach: Jim Wolfsmith
Conference: Upstate Eight Valley
2016 record: 23-14, 12-5
Top returning players: Seniors Elyse Hickey (3B), Elizabeth DiNuzzo (CF); Juniors Amber Pagan (P/SS), Taylor Rotondo (C/1B), Dani Kleeman (C/1B/3B), Caitlin Fippinger (INF)
Top newcomers: Juniors Janelle Ulasek (P/1B), Anna Marie Bucaro (OF/INF); Sophomore Charalotte Linnertz (C/SS/OF)
Season outlook: The Hawks bring back much of the middle of their order including Hickey, a 4-year varsity player and Evansville recruit who is hitting over .400 in her career. “We return most of the meat of our lineup,” Wolfsmith said. “We have a couple young kids coming up with potential.” Pagan is going to IUPUI and will share pitching duties with the newcomer Ulasek. “We're not going to say we have a top one right now,” Wolfsmith said of his pitchers. “They are both working hard to earn that spot.” Rotondo and Kleeman are both in their third year on varsity; Rotondo had 7 home runs and 44 RBI last year. Of the five newcomers to the starting lineup, Wolfsmith calls Linnertz a “gifted young athlete who will make her mark on the Upstate Eight,” and Bucaro “a nice, athletic junior hitter.” DiNuzzo, whose sister coaches Bartlett's soccer team, will take over in center field and has impressed Wolfsmith with her leadership ability. Several of the Hawks play more than one position — by design. “We're a team of versatility,” Wolfsmith said. “We stress it to our kids. If they want to play college, the more positions they have in the bag the better it is for them. And it's better for us if you can play multiple positions.” The Hawks will head to Clarksville, Tenn., for the fifth straight year. When they get back to conference play, Wolfsmith called West Aurora with its 1-2 pitching punch the team to beat. “I'm excited about the team we have,” Wolfsmith said. “West Aurora is still the team to beat in conference just because their pitching is so good.”
BataviaCoach: Lupe Castellanos
Conference: Upstate Eight River
2016 record: 21-13, 12-6
Top returning players: Seniors Toni Galas (CF), Racheal Lovestrand (SS), Jena Bendoraitis (C); Juniors Jaelen Lisberg (RF/P), Kaylen Waldron (P/RF/1B)
Top newcomers: Junior Katy David (OF); Sophomore Allison Bahlmann (C/3B)
Season outlook: The Bulldogs bring back a talented group including Galas, who will play next year at Evansville. She hit .464 last year with 37 stolen bases. Lovestrand batted .427 with 6 home runs. Lisberg had a 7-6 record while hitting .392 with 3 homers. Waldron went 10-2 last year while batting .338. In recent years team defense has been a problem for Batavia, one the Bulldogs know they have to correct to reach their potential. “I think our strengths are depth at pitcher and we have quite a few girls back with varsity experience,” Castellanos said. “I think some of the key areas that will determine how good we can be this season will be how are team defense does. We have to be able to limit are mistake on defense.” The competition is never easy in the Upstate Eight River. “I think overall St. Charles North and East are the teams to beat. Both teams been at the top for a long time. I expect Geneva to be really good this year. I feel we have the team to compete for the conference title with these teams,” Castellanos said. “Our overall goals are to compete as hard as we can on every pitch and to improve from last year's record. If we play the way we are capable of playing I feel we can compete for the conference title this season and be able to go deep in the playoffs.”
Burlington CentralCoach: Erica Snyder
Conference: Kishwaukee River
2016 record: 26-9, 12-2
Top returning players: Seniors Kristina Ahlers (SS), Gretchen Schrubbe (3B); Juniors Danielle Yurgil (P/1B), Sarah Kinney (INF/OF), Sarah Schmitt (C); Sophomore Lindsay Jamrozek (C)
Top newcomers: Junior Julia Barnes (P); Sophomore Abby Sanders (P); Freshmen Reili Gardner (OF), Megan Wiater (OF), Delyla Mroz-Reach (OF)
Season outlook: Ahlers was an All-Area selection last year after hitting .570 with 9 doubles, 4 triples, 12 home runs, 43 RBI and 43 runs. Schrubbe is the other key returnee in the Rockets' lineup. Schrubbe will play at Rockford College and Ahlers at Winona State. “Kristina and Gretchen are our defensive backbones and top hitters,” Snyder said. The Rockets have to replace Emily Kisch in the circle. She won 15 games last year while also hitting .496 with 4 home runs. Barnes will be counted on to help fill those shoes. “This team has a great work ethic, positive attitudes and strives to get better each day,” Snyder said. “Our goal is to play competitive softball that will help us prepare for the postseason.”
Cary-GroveCoach: Tammy Olson (24th year, 436-308-3)
Conference: Fox Valley
2016 record: 11-19, 2-8
Top returning players: Senior Rachel Stanley (P); Junior Alyssa Gurgone (SS); Sophomore Emma Hill (P).
Top newcomers: Seniors Alea Charlier (C/3B), Taylor Langguth (P/OF/1B), Victoria Beatty (OF); Junior Nicollette Richardi (2B); Freshmen Francesca Cruz (C/3B), Jazmin Flashing (OF), Kelly Johnson (SS/1B), Alina Krembuszewski (2B), Katy Wieczorek (3B).
Season outlook: The Trojans' strength this season will be experienced pitching. Stanley and Hill each logged significant innings last season and should be more seasoned this year. Defensively, Cary-Grove returns its starting infield except for first base and catcher, where they need to replace graduated Brianne Prank and Grace Pilz, respectively. “We are excited this year to have a solid and experienced pitching staff,” said Olson. “We look forward to utilizing our speed in the outfield. Our goal is to grow more unified every day.”
Crystal Lake SouthCoach: Scott Busam (13th year)
Conference: Fox Valley
2016 record: 13-11, 4-6
Top returning players: Seniors Brittany Baker (IF/OF), Samantha Schettl (OF); Junior Carly Chovanec (C/IF); Sophomore Christina Toniolo (P/1B).
Top newcomers: Junior Lauren Schoen (IF); Freshman Kyra Swartz (OF)
Season outlook: Busam believes the Gators can contend for the FVC title this season but it will take a lot of hard work to get into that upper echelon. South has one of the area's top returning players in Chovanec, who hit .432 last season with 10 doubles, 4 triples, 3 home runs and 19 RBI. Toniolo came on strong in the circle as a freshman and picked up 5 wins. “We hope to compete with the top teams in the FVC this year,” said Busam, who will be joined in the dugout again by longtime assistant Mark Hardie and former Gator great Kaitlin Hardie. “We are young but our older, more experienced players are some of the hardest working players we have had in the program in years. This is a group with a lot of character and we're hoping the dedication and hard work from the offseason pays off for us on the field this year. As always there will be obstacles in the form of the top FVC schools — most of the teams are competitive and well-coached year after year. Nothing will be easy.”
Dundee-CrownCoach: Tracey Beatty (9th year)
Conference: Fox Valley
2016 record: 18-18, 7-9
Top returning players: Seniors Megan Emerson (1B), Jessica McVicker (OF); Juniors Sydney Ruggles (P), Claire Weeks (C), Andrea Conway (2B), Deanna Origer (3B), Kayla Sjodin (P); Sophomore Hannah Gestrich (SS).
Top newcomer: Freshman Cassidy Randl (OF).
Season outlook: With no seniors last year the Chargers turned the corner and posted a .500 record for the first time in over a decade, and Beatty expects the upward turn to continue this year. D-C returns one of the top pitchers in the area in Ruggles, who had 10 wins and 211 strikeouts last season. Origer was the third leading hitter in the area at .500 with 23 RBI while Weeks hit .467 with 21 RBI, Ruggles .449 with 13 doubles, Conway .434 with 9 doubles and Emerson .409 with 4 home runs. “We are a very strong defensive team,” Beatty said. “Sydney Ruggles is a very controlled aggressive pitcher and behind the plate Weeks has a great arm and great softball mind. Conway and Gestrich cover a lot of field and third baseman Origer has quick hands and a great arm along with a great glove in Emerson at first. We need to hit the timely hit and pull through in clutch situations. Staying focused for seven innings is our team goal.”
East AuroraCoach: Allison Cable
2016 record: 1-26
Top returning players: Seniors Samantha Moravek (C/3B), Lexi Bee (LF/P); Juniors Brianna Ping (CF)
Season outlook: After going winless in the Upstate Eight last year, the Tomcats are looking to change things this spring. “We have a great group of committed girls who are willing to work hard and improve on our overall record this season,” Cable said.
ElginCoach: Jenna Szabo
Conference: Upstate Eight River
2016 record: 8-25
Top returning players: Seniors Dannah Perryman (3B/P), Cassidy Sell (1B), Sophomore Alexis Ruiz (OF)
Top newcomers: Sophomores Alexis Ruiz (OF), Abigail Sensor (INF), Caitlin Keith (C); Freshmen Nayelli Sanchez (SS), Alexis Acevedo (OF)
Season outlook: Szabo, a Streamwood graduate who played softball for four years at Judson University, begins her first year after coaching as an assistant one season at McHenry County College and two years with the Fox Valley Renegades. The Maroons like the experience they have on the corners with Perryman and Sell. “Both are going to be solid for us at the corners,” Szabo said. “Our seniors have been part of our program all four years and are our leaders.” The Maroons will be counting on several new faces including Keith, who can catch but also play any position. Sanchez will be thrown into the heart of the defense at shortstop. “The expectations this year are to focus on one pitch at a time and control our controllables,” Szabo said. “I want to go out and win right away and keep our opponents on their toes. We have power and speed this year and we have many players who bring different strengths to the table. It'll be exciting to see it all unfold.”
GenevaCoach: Greg Dierks
Conference: Upstate Eight River
2016 record: 24-11, 11-7
Top returning players: Seniors Annika Radabaugh (OF/1B), Kaitlyn Plocinski (C/1B), Molly Wrenn (3B), Kyla Chenier (OF); Juniors Katie Keller (C), Kate Geary (IF/OF), Ali Dierks (P/2B); Sophomore Alyssa Kramer (OF)
Top newcomers: Senior Camryn Weitzel (P); Juniors Meghan Mraz (IF/OF), Anilise Bragg (IF/OF); Freshmen Sam Keller (IF/OF), Emily Viebrock (P)
Season outlook: The Vikings have a veteran team including three four-year starters. Radabaugh, headed to the University of Indianapolis, batted .477 with 35 RBI and 51 runs last year. Plocinski hit .400 and is committed to Grand Valley State. Wrenn, who is going to Augustana, hit .307 with 38 RBI. Geneva also has a strong junior class with Northern Illinois-bound Katie Keller, who batted .513 with 47 runs. Geary hit .410 with 46 runs, and Dierks won 10 games in the circle while hitting .323. Geneva's newcomers include Weitzel, Mraz, Bragg, Sam Keller and Viebrock. “I am looking forward to a successful season,” said Greg Dierks, who has 454 career wins. “Most of our top run producers return so I expect us to be able to score runs. We would love to advance farther in the postseason and challenge for a conference championship, but our focus is going to be on preparation, and then playing the game the right way. If we do those things then we can accept the results as they come.”
HampshireCoach: Kelly Wasliewski (2nd year)
Conference: Fox Valley
2016 record: 19-17, 7-5
Top returning players: Seniors Peyton DeChant (3B), Renee Malecki (OF), Erin Doyle (IF/OF); Junior Jasmine Lopez (P).
Top newcomers: Sophomore Delaney Rummell (SS); Freshmen Gwen Malecke (OF), Katie DelRe (P), Emily Egger (P), Abby Egger (C).
Season outlook: Hampshire jumps up to Class 4A this year after winning a 3A regional title last season and returns enough talent to compete. Loyola recruit DeChant hit .404 last year while Rummell, an Illinois commit, is back after missing last year with an injury. achieve them. “We are extremely excited to have a great core group of players back from last year's regional championship season,” said Wasilewski, who is assisted again by former Lake Park and Burlington Central coach Cray Allen. “To that group, we have added some young talent to make a competitive and versatile young varsity roster. We are adding to a lot of the core philosophies we brought to the program last year, and can't wait to see this group in action this spring. Our goal is to be better each day than we were the day before. Our team is extremely young, but a group of extremely dedicated hard working young ladies.”
HuntleyCoach: Mark Petryniec (14th year, 253-201)
Conference: Fox Valley
2016 record: 26-9, 9-1
Top returning players: Seniors Rylie Porretto (CF), Caitlin Brown (2B/OF), Kateri Conklin (P); Juniors Tiffany Giese (P), Autumn Kasal (OF/IF), Taylor Pacana (1B), Jackie Dorin (IF), Cailyn Pienschke (OF/IF); Sophomore Sofia Tenuta (C).
Top newcomers: Senior Breanne Weiss (IF); Sophomores Hali Marte (P), Kendra Mitchell (OF), Quinn Walsh (OF), Taylor Zielinski (OF); Freshman Teagan O'Reilly (IF).
Season outlook: The Red Raiders are the prohibitive favorite in the Fox Valley Conference and have the returning talent to defend their conference title. Porretto (Lewis University, .364, 6 HRs, 47 RBI) and Giese (UW-Green Bay, 25-7, 2.34 ERA, .417, 24/25 SBs) were all-conference last year and will lead the way. The offense is potent with Kasal (. 346, 4 HRs, 19 RBI) and Tenuta (. 343, 2 HRs, 22 RBI) also wielding big bats. “Offensively, we will have a good combination of speed and power,” Petryniec said. “We have a talented group of players that are working very hard in the preseason. If our pitching, defense and offense come together, we will be a tough team to compete against each day. Our goal is to get our team to come together, integrating our returning players with our newcomers to varsity. Our team goal is to challenge for the conference title and to make a deep run into the postseason.”
JacobsCoach: Katie O'Brien
Conference: Fox Valley
2016 record: 9-13
Top returning players: Seniors Alexis Addante (OF), Grace O'Malley (OF); Juniors Kerri Healy (U), Jess Mrzlak (C); Sophomore Katie Armstrong (P)
Top newcomers: Sophomore Hannah Slocum (U); Freshman Savannah Svedman (P)
Season outlook: Addante, committed to UW-Whitewater, leads the returnees for the Golden Eagles. Healy earned all-conference as a sophomore last year, as did Armstrong as a freshman. “This year, I have a group of very competitive girls who push each other to improve each day,” said O'Brien, whose varsity assistant is former Jacobs and Judson University standout pitcher Katie Kirker. “I get excited thinking about the potential we have, and I look forward to seeing them work together on the field this season.”
KanelandCoach: Mike Kuefler
Conference: Northern Illinois Big XII East
2016 record: 22-15, 5-6
Top returning players: Seniors Morgan Weber (SS), Alyson Jesionowski (P/OF), Junior Lexi Abruzzo (2B), Hannah Theobald (1B), Katie Kurzrock (OF)
Top newcomers: Sophomores Maddy Wheatley (OF), Hailey Roach (C/3B), Natalie Kraemer (3B/SS); Freshmen Emilee Erickson (P), Donatela Sommesi (U)
Season outlook: Weber, who just helped the Kaneland girls basketball team reach the Sweet 16 as an All-Area guard, turns her attention to the softball diamond where she's been a 4-year fixture in the Knights' lineup. Last year Kaneland lost to eventual state champion Montini in the sectional semifinals. Weber, headed to Lewis University, hit .407 with 8 home runs and 41 RBI. Jesionowski also is back after batting .370 with 2 home runs 16 RBI. Abruzzo and Theobald also were big parts of the Kaneland attack, hitting .415 with 13 RBI and .330 with 25 RBI, respectively. “We are a young team that I think will surprise a lot of people,” Kuefler said. “We are coming off a 22-15 season which was one of the toughest schedules we could put together, This year's schedule is a little different — it's tougher yet.” Several of Kaneland's newcomers will be thrown into the fire, and Kuefler expects them to hold their own. “I expect this group of girls to grow as a team a bit over the first few weeks of the season,” Kuefler said. “After that if they continue to stay focused and work as hard as they have so far, it's going to get interesting. No predictions here. We are going to be competitive and continue to learn a little bit about ourselves every game and with that we get better every game.”
LarkinCoach: Anne Vogt (6th season)
Conference: Upstate Eight River
2016 record: 2-27, 1-17
Top returning players: Seniors Hannah Gross (P), Jenny Beltran (2B), Sophie Young (C), Alexa Urbanik (1B); Juniors Haley Bohne (SS), Gloria Stoltz (3B).
Top newcomer: Sophomore Kiara Villa (P/UTIL).
Season outlook: The Royals graduated eight players from last year's team but they do have experience back in the circle in Gross and their entire infield returns, including Bohne (. 400) and Stoltz (. 348) on the left side. Villa draws Vogt's praise as a promising newcomer in the circle, where she will be able to take some of the pressure off Gross. “We're not really young this year but we are inexperienced,” Vogt said. It's a great group of girls who are eager to learn and they have a ton of heart. We will play hard and sneak up on as many teams as we can.”
Rosary Coach: Megan Tracy
Conference: Girls Catholic Athletic Conference
2016 record: 15-17, 6-3
Top returning players: Senior Sarah Willam (P/INF), Aubrey Fischer-(IF/OF); Junior Xandria Olsen (OF)
Top newcomers: Freshmen Chloe Saltijeral (C), Mikayla Cassidy (IF/OF/C), Abby Young (IF/P)
Season outlook: Olsen hit .450 last year with a .623 on-base percentage and 23 runs, and she'll be back to help ignite Rosary's attack. William also put up good numbers last year with a .375 average, .550 slugging percentage and 1.80 ERA. Fischer batted .457. “We have grown into a very competitive and strong team,” said Tracy, who is starting her third season. “Our goal this year is to make it back to the regional championship and to win our conference. We are strong on both sides of the ball with strong infield defense and notable returners to our lineup offensively. We have a strong freshman class that will add to our depth. I am very excited to see what this team can do.” Tracy said St. Francis is one of the teams Rosary is expecting to be a challenge in conference. “St. Francis is always a good game for us,” Tracy said. “They have a great team with great athletes and have been at the top of our conference. We are looking forward to competing with them well this year.”
St. Charles EastCoach: Jarod Gutesha
Conference: Upstate Eight River
2016 record: 32-5, 15-3
Top returning players: Seniors Jordan Hieber (IF/P), Rylee Stout (C/1B), Sarah Kreiner (U), Delaney Devor (P/OF), Megan Daly (3B/1B); Juniors Maddie Candre (OF), Sara Campagna (C/Util); Sophomores Maddy Stout (OF), Paige Ligocki (C/SS)
Top newcomers: Seniors Allie Balaskovits (1B), Alyssa Thurman (OF); Junior Hannah Cozzi (OF); Sophomores Krista Sbarra (P/U), Allison Masulis (3B/1B)
Season outlook: The Saints once again have a roster full of talented players including Rylee Stout, headed to Winona State University, and Devor who will play at Rock Valley College. They did graduate Jordan Hall who has been the team's ace the past three years. She was 18-5 with 89 strikeouts and a 2.47 ERA last year while batting .337 with 6 home runs and 24 RBI. Devor also had a standout season a year ago, going 14-0 with a 0.65 ERA and 51 strikeouts in 85 innings. “This year's team will look slightly different from last year due to the graduation of players that contributed a lot of innings last year,” Gutesha said. “We have such a strong program and players that are committed to the game of softball, so our team will be very competitive again this year. Our pitching will be able to generate outs by keeping the ball around the plate and will allow our defense to do its job.” The Saints return plenty of their offense from last year. Rylee Stout smashed 9 home runs and Devor had 5. Stout drove in 51 runs and batted .469 with an .841 slugging percentage. Candre batted .379. “Offensively, we think we'll pick up where we left off and be able to hammer the ball around the field,” Gutesha said.
St. Charles NorthCoach: Tom Poulin
Conference: Upstate Eight River
2016 record: 23-6, 16-2
Top returning players: Seniors Jordyn Wolfe (CF), Allison Moberg (1B/C), Natalie Walters (P/OF), Maddie Webb (P/OF/1B), Juniors Alyssa Eby (OF/2B), Ashlyn Jozefowicz (OF)
Top newcomers: Junior Grace Quinn (C/3B); sophomore Mary Webb (3B/SS)
Season outlook: The North Stars are coming off another conference and regional championship and look poised for a typical big year. “We expect to work each day to compete to win a conference title and advance as far as possible in the state tournament,” Poulin said. “Each season our goal is to overachieve. Our strengths should be our team first attitude and our depth at each position.” Wolfe, a four-year varsity player, has elite speed and will play at Louisville. “She has speed and a high softball IQ, which makes her tough to handle at the plate and on the basepaths,” Poulin said. “Jordyn is a high level defensive outfielder as well and has developed into a leader.” Moberg provides a big bat in the middle of the lineup. She finished second on the team last year with 26 RBI with a .396 batting average, 8 doubles, 5 home runs, a .467 on-base percentage and a 1.115 OPS. “A true captain and leader on a daily basis,” Poulin said. “She is a model of consistency on and off the field.” Walters will play next year at Hillsdale College. “She can hit for power and has great speed as well,” Poulin said. “Throws with high velocity and is a very versatile player for us.” Webb is headed to Lake Forest College. The North Stars bring back all-conference selection Waslawski in the circle; she has been a force for the North Stars. “She has been all-conference each season and continues to improve,” Poulin said. “Jillian is an incredible teammate and fearless competitor.” Eby also is a returning all-conference selection.
St. Edward
Coach: Paul Netzel (2nd year)
Conference: Metro Suburban
2016 record: 25-10, 9-3
Top returning players: Seniors Devyn Ernst (SS), Emily Stapay (1B/P); Sophomore Jessy Kramp (P/IF).
Top newcomers: Freshmen Ashley Miller (C/IF), Chloe Davies (P/IF).
Season outlook: St. Edward is coming off one of the best seasons in school history, one that culminated with a fourth-place finish in the Class 2A state tournament. But is' a new year and with it comes changes. The Green Wave will be back in 3A this season and they'll have to attack the campaign without last year's All-Area captain Lindsay Zdroik, now at Valparaiso, in the circle and Allie Stratman, now at Kenyon College in Ohio, behind the plate. The pitching chores will be left to Stapay and Kramp, who both saw mound time last year, albeit limited as compared to Zdroik. The defense will be anchored by 4-year varsity stalwart Ernst, who will also be the team leader. She hit .296 last year with 19 RBI. Stapay hit .350 with 17 RBI. “Our goal is to improve on last year's conference and state tournament finishes,” Netzel said. “We will have two returning pitchers, an improved defense and seven returning players from last year's squad. Half of our 12-person squad will be freshmen and sophomores and the main obstacle we face is that we are moved up to Class 3A.”
South ElginCoach: Brad Reynard
Conference: Upstate Eight Valley
2016 record: 19-18, 8-9
Top returning players: Seniors Mariah Spivey (SS), Grace Anne Aldred (C), Alyssa Hargett (CF), Bri Pena (1B)
Top newcomers: Sophomore Casey Brennan (SS/CF), Freshman McKayla Timmons (3B/1B)
Season outlook: “Our team goals are win conference, win a regional and 20 wins,” said Reynard, and the reasons for his optimism are easy to see. South Elgin returns 9 players from last year's team. Reynard is impressed with his team's outfield defense.
Streamwood Coach: Will Shogren
Conference: Upstate Eight River
2016 record: 13-18
Top returning players: Senior Mariah Rebecca Daley (CF), Junior Rebecca Roncone (C), Sophomore Taylyr Crocilla (P)
Top newcomers: Freshman Gabriella Cardinale (OF)
Season outlook: Shogren begins his first year as varsity coach. “I grew up around the sports of baseball and softball as well as played baseball for many years,” said Shogren who started his involvement in coaching with catching lessons, has umpired for a decade, and was the softball coordinator for the Schaumburg adult softball leagues. Most recently, he has assisted the Streamwood freshman and varsity teams the past two seasons. He's looking forward to seeing what the Sabres can do. “The season is off to a good start,” Shogren said. “We have a fairly young team and we are excited to see them grow. Our players have done everything asked of them thus far which is a great sign. We are looking to have a really strong infield and are excited to see some of the young talent in the outfield gain experience.” Shogren is counting on the second-year varsity player Crocilla in the circle. “She did get some experience pitching at the varsity level last year as the No. 2 pitcher,” Shogren said. “This year Crocilla will be our first pitching option to start the season. We are looking for her to change location often and attack the strike zone as she has good movement which should make it difficult for opposing teams to make solid contact. We are looking for Crocilla to be our go-to pitcher this year.” Overall, Shogren is upbeat about the season. “This year we are looking to have a winning record both in conference and overall,” Shogren said. “The strengths will likely be the infield positions as well as some power hitting.”
West Aurora Coach: Randy Hayslett
Conference: Upstate Eight Valley
2016 record: 27-4, 17-0
Top returning players: Seniors Hannah Beatus (P), Grace Hunger (SS), Kallie Rundle (1B), Sarah Hansen (OF); Sophomores Payton Lundberg (P), Sophia Delgado (2B/C)
Top newcomers: Juniors Aislinn Strusz (IF/OF), Faith Pokryfke (IF/OF), Emma Boland (OF); Freshmen Gabriela Drager (3B/P), Shai Erdrich (OF), Gabriela Nilles (C/OF)
Season outlook: The defending Upstate Eight Valley champions have a 1-2 pitching punch like no other. Beatus is a senior headed to Grand Valley State. She went 14-4 last year with 208 strikeouts in 118 innings. She is a 2-time All-Area pick who won 18 games as a sophomore with 199 strikeouts. Beatus also led off last year; she hit .341. “Tremendous competitor and team leader who just gets better every year,” Hayslett said. Lundberg, committed to DePaul, was almost perfect after coming up to varsity halfway through her freshman season. She went 7-0 without allowing an earned run in 48 innings. Only allowed 6 hits to go with that 0.00 ERA, and she struck out 114 — an average of 2.4 an inning. “Breakout as a freshman last year, can't wait to see her stats with a full season this year,” Hayslett said. “She was really dominant, and she threw against a few pretty good teams. Her and Hannah will really split the load this year.” Hunger batted .420 with 5 home runs, 29 RBI and 23 runs. “Solid shortstop with a great arm and power at the plate,” Hayslett said. Rundle is a 3-year starter who hit .290 with 12 RBI. “Steady contributor offensively and defensively,” Hayslett said. Hansen batted .400 with 15 RBI. “She had a nice year as a junior and is getting better at the plate,” said Hayslett, who called Delgado a “great defender at second base as a freshman who will be hitting at the top of our order this year.” Despite graduating seven seniors, Hayslett is excited about the talent the varsity newcomers bring. West Aurora suffered a surprise loss in the regional finals last year, something they are out to make right this spring. “We expect to contend for the Upstate Eight championship and for a regional title,” Hayslett said. “We are hoping for a deeper postseason run this year. We have a nice combination of veteran leadership with some very talented underclassmen. Offensively we'll have a better balance of power and speed than we've had in the past. We are anxious to see what our lineup is capable of. Infield defense should be solid. We'll have a couple of newcomers to the outfield this year, and the lineup will be a bit different. But we expect to have the short game and team speed to compensate and generate some runs.”
Westminster Christian Coach: John Wedell
Conference: Northeastern Athletic
2016 record: 8-15, 4-4
Top returning players: Senior Sarah Schmitt (INF); Juniors Drew Randazzo 3B/C), Kristen Mason 3B/OF/P); Sophomores Sophia Hopkins (INF), Rachel Schmitt (INF/C)
Top newcomers: Freshman Sophie Kovachevich (INF)
Season outlook: Starting his seventh year, the Warriors are coming off a second-place finish in conference. Sarah Schmitt made first team all-conference and Mason and Randazzo were both second team. Schmitt hit .413 last year with a .494 on-base percentage and 15 RBI. Drew Randazzo batted .351 with a .393 on-base percentage, 21 runs and 14 RBI. Mason also is a returning .300 hitter while Hopkins had a .407 on-base and scored 21 runs. As a freshman, Rachel Schmitt hit .338 with 14 RBI. The Warriors return eight players but only have 10 girls on the roster. “We look to contend again for another conference championship and expect to compete for our second regional championship as well,” Wedell said. “We feel anything is possible. Our concern is the size of our roster. That could be a huge problem.” Wedell said Alden-Hebron returns most of its team from last year's NAC champs. The Warriors will challenge themselves with nonconference games against Marian Central, Immaculate Conception, Elgin, Earlville, Larkin and Rockford East.