Softball: Scouting the Northern Lake County Conference
ANTIOCH
Coach: Anthony Rocco (seventh season)
Last season: 25-8, 12-2 NLCC (first place), won Class 3A Ridgewood regional, lost to St. Viator in Antioch sectional semifinals
Key players lost: 3B Jill Foote (College of Lake County), P Stephanie Bonaguidi (Carthage College), P Hannah Cook (Lafayette College), C Carlie Gaylord, 2B/SS Ashley Stephens, SS/2B Annie Wagner, OF/1B Jackalyn Geraty
Returning players: seniors Katie Sorenson (1B/OF), Deighton Butenschoen (C/1B/3B), Kaylee Schreiner (2B/3B/C), Kayla Burkhart (2B/C/OF); juniors Piper Foote (SS/OF), Megan Lawrence (OF), Abby Pyburn (2B/SS/OF), Ashley Hoerning (P/1B), Avery Malicki (3B/OF/C), Callie Tubbs (OF),
Newcomers: seniors Amber Blake (1B/P), Ella Maggio (2B/1B/C), Marissa Harris (OF), Ashley Furlan (3B/OF); junior Addison Hammock (2B); sophomores Jerianne Bonaguidi (P/OF/1B), Mollie Wagner (P/1B/C); freshmen Ashlyn Sundell (OF), Hailey Webb (C)
Outlook: Coach Anthony Rocco says last season's seniors essentially "carried the program" the last three years. But just because the super seven - Jill Foote, Ashley Stephens, Stephanie Bonaguidi, Hannah Cook, Carlie Gaylord, Annie Wagner and Jackalyn Geraty - have moved on doesn't mean the Sequoits will be rebuilding this spring. The returning offensive talent includes Piper Foote, Megan Lawrence, Deighton Butenschoen and Avery Malicki. Foote, who verbally committed to Western Illinois in the off-season, is coming off an ICA Class 3A third-team all-state and all-area sophomore season in which she hit .458 with 6 homers and 25 RBI and stole 26 bases in as many tries. A starter since her freshman year, Foote moves from center field to shortstop. Fellow junior Lawrence, who was also named third-team all-state last year and NLCC First Team, returns in left field. She hit .456 with 3 homers, drove in 23 runs and stole 18 bases. Butenschoen (.298 BA, 3 HR last year) returns as the Sequoits' primary catcher and will be backed up by freshman Hailey Webb. Malicki, another junior who was primarily the team's designated player last spring, can play third base or a corner-outfield spot. She belted a team-leading 8 homers last season and batted .408 with 23 RBI. As for the seniors, lefty Katie Sorenson returns for her third varsity season and will patrol first base again. Rocco will take advantage of Kaylee Schreiner's versatility again, as she will serve as DP or play in the infield. Schreiner posted a .333 batting average in a utility role. Lefty-hitting freshman Ashlyn Sundell will take over in center field. Speedy junior Abby Pyburn, a lefty who can slap, had some spot starts last year. She could start in the middle infield or outfield. The outfield mix also includes junior Callie Tubbs, who had 10 stolen bases last year. With Bonaguidi and Cook gone, the Sequoits' biggest question is pitching. Junior righty Ashley Hoerning has the most experience. She had 1 save and a 2.86 ERA in limited action last season. Sophomores Jerianne Bonaguidi (Stephanie's sister) and Mollie Wagner (Annie's sister) will get looks in the circle as well. Rocco calls senior pitcher Amber Blake, a righty, a specialist against lefty hitters. "We got talent," Rocco said. "We got kids who are athletes and softball players. We're definitely going to be faster on the base paths, and I think defensively we're looking pretty sharp, especially with all of the arms around the infield. These kids have all been timed on the radar gun at over 60 (mph)."
GRANT
Coach: Chris Van Alstine (third season)
Last season: 25-10, 8-6 in NLCC, lost to McHenry in Class 4A Prairie Ridge regional final
Key losses: CF Becca Wold
Returning players: seniors Erin Bengston (3B), Megan Chapman (P/OF), Sydney Goessele (P), Maddy Nourigat (2B), Maddy Quinn (OF); juniors Calista Warmowski (SS), Sarah Gallivan (C), Megan Mitchell (1B), Liz Schram (IF), Gabby Rogalevich (OF)
Newcomers: senior Ivy Clark (1B/DP); junior Julianna Reynolds (P); freshmen Becca Fabry (C/IF), Isabella Conticello (OF)
Outlook: This might be a tough season - for Chris Van Alstine. The Bulldogs' coach had shoulder surgery in December, is still rehabbing and can't swing a bat. "It got to the point where it was too painful," Van Alstine said. "I've been dealing with it for years." Fortunately for Van Alstine, he says he has "great assistants" in Jeff Durlak and Jessica Dart. He also has Erin Bengston and a veteran group that won 25 games last season. Which means this might not be a tough season. Far from it. Bengston verbally committed to Holy Cross last spring and signed with the Division-I Crusaders in the off-season. An all-conference catcher as a freshman and sophomore, she moved to third base last year and put together an ICA Class 4A first-team all-state season. Bengston hit a Lake County-record 22 home runs with 70 RBI, while posting a .596 batting average en route to being named captain of the Daily Herald Lake County All-Area team. Van Alstine says she's like a coach, as she even held a seniors-only meeting after a recent practice. "I'm just trying to enjoy my time with her," Van Alstine said. "She's so fantastic to watch, but it's not just that. It's all the things she does off the field, in the off-season." The Bulldogs feature five other seniors, including Sydney Goessele, who will pitch for Aurora University next year. Goessele and second baseman Maddy Nourigat have both started on varsity since they were sophomores. Senior pitcher Megan Chapman also returns, while senior Maddy Quinn looks to move from right field to center field. Ivy Clark, a 6-foot slugger, is new to the varsity. The returning group also includes juniors Calista Warmowski (shortstop) and Megan Michell (first base), both of whom have started since they were freshmen. Warmowski hit .385 with 23 extra-base hits (16 doubles) last season and earned all-area honors for the second year in a row. She and Bengston were both named All-Northern Lake County Conference First Team. Mitchell was All-NLCC Second Team, and Goessele was a third-team selection. Junior Liz Schram returns in the outfield along with junior Gabby Rogalevich, who was a midseason call-up last spring. Sarah Gallivan, another junior, returns behind the plate. Van Alstine calls freshmen Becca Fabry and Isabella Conticello "fantastic athletes." Grant hosts a Class 4A regional. "They want to win our own regional," Van Alstine said of his players. "We're going to go as far as these seniors take us."
GRAYSLAKE CENTRAL
Coach: Jason Schaal (fifth season)
Last season: 26-12, 11-3 in NLCC, won Class 3A Grayslake Central regional, lost to St. Viator in Antioch sectional final
Key losses: P Reagen Radke (Columbia College of Missouri)
Returning players: seniors Brooke Heraty (C), Lexi Waigand (UT), Morgan Smigielski (2B), Nicole Buerger (IF), Nicole Warren (OF); juniors Grace Bradley (P/OF), Elisa Koshy (1B), Bridget Marshall (OF), Libby Bien (UT), Ashlynn Coleman (IF)
Newcomers: sophomores Corinne Heidloff (P/OF), Avery Nims (P/IF), Kelsey Whalen (IF), Taylor Pribyl (IF), Elizabeth Boos (C/IF)
Outlook: The Reagen era is over. Which doesn't mean the Rams won't continue to prosper. They won 26 games and earned a Class 3A sectional-final berth last season with a roster that had just three seniors, albeit one of the best pitchers in program history. Reagen Radke graduated after a three-year run as the varsity's ace. Last season, the three-time all-conference and two-time all-area choice won 19 games, posted a 1.84 ERA and struck out 225 batters in 170 innings. Radke was named ICA Class 3A second team all-state. "Having to replace an excellent pitcher is never easy," coach Jason Schaal said. Junior Grace Bradley takes over in the circle after starting 10 games last season. "We have all the confidence in her, along with the rest of our pitching staff," said Schaal, who also has sophomores Corinne Heidloff and Avery Nims listed as pitchers on his roster. The other returnees include all-area senior catcher Brooke Heraty, who batted .398 from the left side last season and was named All-Northern Lake County Conference First Team, along with Radke. Heraty and second baseman Morgan Smigielski each earned third-team all-state honors last year. Smigielski, Lexi Waigand and slugging first baseman Elisa Koshy were named All-NLCC Second Team. Senior Nicole Warren, a three-year varsity starter, will help solidify the Rams' outfield. Junior Bridget Marshall will see a full year on varsity after having limited time the past two seasons. "With all the experience we are returning in the field, we feel it will help our pitching staff as they adjust to their new roles," Schaal said. "We always strive to be near the top in the conference and have a goal of winning another regional championship. We will get a better idea after our Spring Break trip in Orlando, Fla."
GRAYSLAKE NORTH
Coach: Lea Corcoran (third season)
Last season: 13-20, 5-9 in NLCC, lost to Hersey in Class 4A Loyola regional semifinals
Key losses: P Jenna Pozezinski (Concordia University Wisconsin), C Carissa Popp (College of Lake County), OF Becca Sosa, OF Katie Moats, 2B Lauren Olsen, IF Shannon Cremin, 1B/OF Quinnlyn Meadowcroft (College of Lake County), C/1B Shaina Lesniewicz (graduated early), IF/OF Kylie Conrad (working)
Returning players: senior Jelly Diaz (C/2B/OF); juniors Grace Brown (3B/1B), Evan Garrett (P/1B/3B), Ashton Moore (P/1B); sophomores Faith Standerski (SS/OF), Nina Wittig (OF)
Newcomers: juniors Caitlin Barenbaum (C/IF), Alyssa Carr (OF), Emily Mack (P/1B); sophomores Scout Kram (P/OF), Gracie Moats (OF/2B), Maddy Wais (OF); freshmen Meghan Delahunty (C/2B/OF), Jess Pozezinski (OF/SS/2B)
Outlook: The Knights graduated a large group, including two-time all-area pitcher Jenna Pozezinski, but return six players. Included are two-time all-area and two-time all-conference power-hitting corner Grace Brown and third-team all-conference and all-area honorable mention shortstop Faith Standerski. Brown led the team with a school-record 10 home runs and 42 RBI, while hitting at a .439 clip. Standerski had 40 hits (18 extra-base hits) while hitting .460 in her freshman campaign. "I expect both to have phenomenal seasons again this year," coach Lea Corcoran said. Evan Garrett and Ashton Moore threw 50⅔ and 35⅓ innings, respectively, last year. Junior Emily Mack and sophomore Scout Kram who both had what Corcoran called outstanding JV seasons last year while also pitching some varsity innings. Senior catcher Jelly Diaz returns for her third season on varsity after missing a chunk of last season to injury. Last year's late-season call-up Nina Wittig looks to make a statement in her first full season on varsity after hitting .520 in 7 games with 7 doubles. Juniors Alyssa Carr and Caitlin Barenbaum also played in multiple varsity games last season. The roster features, in total, eight newcomers. "We're a young team, but the girls have been working harder than any team I've coached in my three years at North," Corcoran said. "They push each other to be better every day, which is awesome to see from a coaching standpoint. ... We've got talent and potential. I think we'll be competitive in all of our games, and I'm excited to see how this team develops over the course of the season. We're looking forward to the second year of the NLCC."
LAKES
Coach: Bill Hamill (10th season)
Last season: 22-12, 11-3 in NLCC, lost to Richmond-Burton in Class 3A Lakes regional final
Key losses: 3B Jen Reed, C Karlie Rotunno (College of Lake County)
Returning players: seniors Rachel Becker (SS), Molly Dietz (1B), Georgia Ohren (OF), Kayla Foote (P); juniors Camryn Jones (C/OF), Sarah Tubek (OF), Kelsey Ulrich (2B/OF); sophomore Amanda Stargardt (OF)
Newcomers: sophomores Haley Ovaska (3B), Rachel Dishinger (IF); freshmen Annie Willis (2B/OF/P), Ally Dietz (OF)
Outlook: Coach Bill Hamill will reach a milestone this season, and the Eagles will likely soar past it. Hamill enters the 2018 campaign just 2 wins shy of 200 in nine seasons at the Lake Villa school. "You never look at your own milestones, but it'll be nice to put up 200 wins in 10 seasons because it means you're averaging 20 wins," Hamill said. He knows he has plenty of talent this season, and it starts with four-year varsity starters Rachel Becker and Molly Dietz, both of whom will play Division-I softball next year. Becker, who signed with Purdue University in the off-season, hit .540 with 4 homers, 31 RBI and 48 runs scored last season. The two-time all-area shortstop was named All-Northern Lake County Conference First Team last year. Dietz, who batted .433 and was named all-conference second team, will continue her career at Belmont University. Dietz (first team) and Becker (second team) both earned ICA Class 3A all-state honors, as well. The Eagles also return third-team all-state/all-area selection Kelsey Ulrich (.429, 30 RBI, 13 SB, All-NLCC First Team), center fielder Georgia Ohren (.381 BA, 9 2B, All-NLCC Second Team) and pitcher Kayla Foote (All-NLCC Third Team). Camryn Jones (third-team all-state) moves from the outfield to behind the plate to replace four-year varsity player Karlie Rotunno. Sarah Tubek returns in right field. Sophomore Haley Ovaska looks to take over at third base, while freshmen Annie Willis and Ally Dietz (no relation to Molly) are vying for playing-time too. "We'll put some runs on the board," Hamill said. "We got a couple of defensive things that are in question right now, but we got three games before we head down to Tennessee and then we'll have 3-4 games down in Tennessee (to sort things out)."
ROUND LAKE
Coach: Patrick DeDina (fourth season)
Last season: 3-11 in NLCC, lost to Cary-Grove in Class 4A Prairie Ridge regional play-in
Returning players: seniors Brianna McGinley (IF/C), Charla Ryan (IF/P), Kaley Greenwood (OF); juniors Emily Etherington (SS/P), Sydney Verastegui (2B)
Newcomers: juniors Alizza Lebron (OF), Gledisai Lebron (OF), Emily Padilla (OF), Yareli Olmos (OF), Lina Navarrete (OF); sophomores Alondra Saucedo (OF), Lillian Larson (C/1B), Jessica Leitl (IF/P/OF), Idalis Martinez (IF/P/OF)
Outlook: The Panthers struggled offensively last season in a competitive Northern Lake County Conference, but coach Patrick DeDina has some talent on his roster. Sydney Verastegui was named All-NLCC First Team, while Brianna McGinley was a third-team selection.
WAUCONDA
Coach: Tim Orisek (first season)
Last season: 10-20, 6-8 in NLCC, lost to Grayslake Central in Class 3A Grayslake Central regional final
Key losses: 1B Alexandra Steffens (Carthage College), 3B Mallory Carver, OF Sarah Ricci, OF Hayley Redmann, OF Taylor Lambert, C Sydney Williams
Returning players: senior Kelly Weller (P/1B/OF); juniors Kayla Serio (P/SS), Sydney Rodgers (OF); sophomores Angelica Cho (2B/SS/P), Riley Aldrich (1B/P)
Newcomers: seniors Chloe Goathouse (OF), Kacy Morris (C/1B); juniors Rhiannon Himmelmann (3B), Jackie Johnson (3B/1B), Maggie Bonefas (1B), Emily Weber (OF); sophomores Hannah Miller (2B/OF), Stella Mincica (OF); freshman Julia Fohlmeister (C/INF)
Outlook: It's a fresh start for the Bulldogs - and their head coach. Tim Orisek replaces Tim Rennels, who stepped down following 18 seasons. Orisek previously taught and coached baseball at Jacksonville High in central Illinois as well as North Mac in Virden. He served as varsity assistant coach at Jacksonville for the 2007 and 2008 seasons, then spent six years as the pitching and hitting coach at Illinois College in Jacksonville, before getting the head-baseball position at North Mac from 2016-2017. "This is my first year coaching softball, but I bring a lot of experience as a high school and college baseball coach to the (Wauconda) softball program and hope to get it back to the program it was just a few years ago when they made it to the supersectionals," Orisek said. In its first season after ace pitcher/slugger Kayla Wedl led the team to three supersectional appearances in four years, Wauconda won just 10 games. The Bulldogs graduated a large class but return all-area pitcher/second baseman Kayla Serio, who was also named All-Northern Lake County Conference First Team. As a sophomore last year, Serio batted .409 and posted a .527 on-base percentage. She also struck out 100 batters in 117 innings. The Bulldogs are thin on experience besides her, however. "We are relying on many juniors and sophomores to fill out our lineup," Orisek said. "We will be a younger team with only three seniors on the roster, but the coaching staff and I feel that our roster is very talented. Our players have created a great work ethic in practice where our focus has been to become fundamentally sound defensively and on the bases as well. I truly feel that we will be able to compete with any team in our conference and our nonconference schedule."