Softball: Scouting Vernon Hills
CENTRAL SUBURBAN NORTH
VERNON HILLS
Coach: Jan Pauly (fourth season)
Last season: 16-21, lost to St. Viator in Class 3A St. Viator regional final
Key losses: 3B/C Sara Lenzi, OF Jessica Salerno
Returning players: seniors Meg Finerty (OF), Tatiana Guletsky (1B), Nicole Pieper (3B/2B/C), Alexi Viviano (OF), Hannah Monteith (P/2B/OF); juniors Delaney Bowen (SS), Rachel Wright (3B/OF), Mackenzie Mahler (1B/OF); sophomores Elisa Handler (C/IF), Quin Yuter (OF), Madison Johnson (P/IF), Brooke Pieper (P/OF)
Newcomers: junior Lauren Ellis (C/2B/OF)
Outlook: The Cougars return 12 varsity players so this year's team should be long on experience. Nicole Pieper (University of St. Thomas) and ICA Class 3A third-team all-state selection Tatiana Guletsky are four-year varsity players along with second-team all-state selection Delaney Bowen (Purdue commit). They should anchor the team. The junior Bowen is a two-time all-area choice who batted .449 with 17 extra-base hits and 35 RBI last season, despite missing a couple of weeks with a concussion. With a year under their belt, senior Meg Finerty and sophomores Alyssa Handler and Quin Yuter look to be solid complements, coach Jan Pauly said. Senior Hannah Monteith and sophomores Madison Johnson and Brooke Pieper provide what Pauly calls a formidable trio of pitchers. Alexi Viviano, Mackenzie Mahler, Rachel Wright and Lauren Ellis will add depth and power to a lineup that lost to St. Viator in a Class 3A regional final last year. "If it stays healthy and continues to progress," Pauly said, "this is a team that will compete for the Central Suburban League North Division title."