Scouting the Fox Valley area's girls softball teams
Bartlett Hawks
Coach: Jim Wolfsmith (5th season)
2007 record: 31-7 (Class AA Elite Eight)
Top returning players: Seniors Lauren Wydra (P), Concetta Lampugnano (OF), Steph Jones (C); juniors Elizabeth Kay (C/SS), Rachel Anello (1B); sophomores Callie Dennison (IF/P), Alexis Gordon (OF/IF), Megan Morales (IF/P).
Key newcomers: Freshman Nicole Beck (IF).
Outlook: The Hawks have one simple goal - a state championship. And it's a realistic thought for the Daily Herald's top-ranked team. With Wydra (23-5, 0.52 ERA, 189 Ks) and Kay (.449, 15 2Bs, 9 3Bs, 4 HRs, 33 RBI) back to anchor a team that advanced to the Class AA state quarterfinals last season, the bull's eye is squarely on Bartlett's back this season. "Our goal is to win the state championship," Wolfsmith said. "Our nonconference schedule is brutal and our conference (Upstate Eight) is tough but we want to raise the bar higher." In addition to Wydra and Kay, the Hawks return starters in Anello (.345, 21 RBI), Dennison (.276, 27 RBI), Morales (.269, 25 RBI), Lampugnano (17 RBI) and Gordon. The nonconference scheduled includes a trip to the Wendy's Spring Classic in Ashland, Ohio April 18-19.
Burlington Central Rockets
Coach: Scot Sutherland (10th season)
2007 record: 33-5 (Big Northern East champs)
Top returning players: Seniors Erica Maisto (P), Brooke Porto (OF/3B); juniors Mackenzie Scott (P), Brittany Priest (1B), Lindsay Lange (IF/OF), Kayla Oranger (SS); sophomores Samantha Gruner (C), Jordan Maisto (2B).
Key newcomers: Sophomore Ashley Scheffler (3B); freshman Abby Morrow (IF/OF), Katie Maleski (IF).
Outlook: The three-time defending champion Big Northern East Rockets have some holes to fill with the graduations of Carrie Sensor, Liz Gajewski and Christine Holthus, the honorary co-captain of the 2007 Daily Herald All-Area team, but one thing BC will not lack again is pitching. Erica Maisto (17-1, 0.66 ERA, 9 shutouts) and Scott (16-4, 0.77, 219 Ks, 9 shutouts) return to the circle to give BC possibly the best 1-2 pitching combo of any Class 3A team in the state. We're very fortunate when it comes to pitching," said Sutherland. "Hopefully those two can pick up where they left off." BC won its fourth regional under Sutherland last year but fell to Lake Park in the sectional semifinals. "First you have to be fortunate enough to get out of a regional and if we can do that, then we have to prove to ourselves we can win a sectional game," Sutherland said. The BN-East will be tough as well, with Marengo being anointed the No. 1 team in the state in Class 3A by the ICA. There are some mainstays back, including Oranger (.474, area-leading 63 hits, 19 RBI, 52 RS, 41 SBs), who is being wooed by several Division I schools. Solid center fielder Porto .319, 19 RBI) joins Erica Maisto as the only seniors on the team. Gruner (.312, 35 RBI) returns behind the plate and Jordan Maisto (.294) is back at 2B, where Maleski and Lange could see time as well. Priest (.330, 20 RBI) returns at 1B. Sutherland is looking for big contributions from Scheffler at 3B. "I'm not big on predictions," Sutherland said. "It's just a matter of how well the new kids can step in for the seniors we lost." The Rockets will not play in the Washington tournament this year but have added Barrington and Glenbard East to the schedule. They will also face Lemont and Plainfield South in the Stone City Jamboree.
Cary-Grove Trojans
Coach: Tammy Olson (15th year)
2007 record: 22-14 (FVC Valley co-champs, regional champion)
Top returning players: Seniors Maggie O'Brien (CF), Lindsay Fritz (1B), Kristen Bauer (P/1B), Julie Clemment (P/2B), Ellen Jesse (OF), Kelly Smith (C).
Key newcomers: Juniors Jen Wirth (3B), Katie Berg (C); sophomore Amy Palminteri (SS); freshman Alexis Haley (OF).
Outlook: The Trojans lost a lot to graduation, including all-area catcher and honorary co-captain Sarah Waylock, who is now playing at Heartland Community College. Abby Heredia, who hit just under .300 last year, has chosen to play club volleyball this spring and last year's freshman phenom, Courtney Kinkade, who hit .500, has moved to Arizona. But the cupboard is far from bare. C-G returns both its pitchers from a year ago in Bauer and Clemment, and the Trojans might have the speediest center fielder in the area in O'Brien, who hit .309 last year and had 19 stolen bases. Fritz will move from the outfield to first base and Olson is high on several of her newcomers, including Palminteri, who will start at SS, and Haley who will be in RF. "This team has experience," said Olson, the dean of area softball coaches. "We have seven seniors back from a regional championship team, and we have our pitching staff returning. We'll have to see how this team is going to jell but we definitely have the potential to contend for the conference. It will all depend on how the seniors step up."
Crystal Lake South Gators
Coach: Scott Busam (4th season)
2007 record: 26-7; FVC Valley co-champions
Top returning players: Seniors Gina Defano (C), Jessica Gable (P), Michelle Bump (IF-OF), junior Megan Hardie (1B-C)
Key newcomers: Junior Emily Mahoney (P-OF)
Outlook: South will be without the services this year of junior 2-time all-area selection Kaitlin Hardie, who tore an ACL during basketball season. "That's a huge blow," said Busam. "But the senior girls we have are good leaders. The senior girls will handle things with a lot of patience." Busam has been impressed with the team's positive attitude. "They want to learn and they practice hard," said Busam. "The strength of this group is their desire to improve. We graduated 8 seniors last year and then we lost Kaitlin. We're young and we've got a lot of learning to do, but if we minimize our mistakes and put good softball together at the right time, we can still be a very good team and have a good season." The senior battery of all-conference pitcher Gable and Defano will also be a major plus for the Gators.
Dundee-Crown Chargers
Coach: Tracy Beatty (1st year)
2007 record: 3-28
Top returning players: Seniors Kathleen Collingbourne (C), Kayla Schumacher (P/1B), Lauren Howlett (1B/3B), Kelly Lewis (2B); juniors Melissa Summaria (P/3B/OF), Alex Lococo (OF), Jenn Tinsley (OF/2B); Emilie Kerkman (P).
Top newcomer: Junior Jennifer Engels (SS)
Outlook: It's a new era at Dundee-Crown, with new coach Tracy Beatty hoping to revive a program that has struggled for wins the past several years. There is some talent returning with Schumacher, Summaria and Kerkman all being experienced pitchers. "We've made progress from day one," Beatty said. "We've focused on fundamentals and every day we're improving our skills. We're making a lot of changes and basically starting over. But they are very coachable young women and I'm seeing a lot of progress. We have some athletic girls and I think they're tired of losing." Beatty will be assisted this season by Kristi Lotz, a former pitcher at Judson University. "We're fortunate to have her," Beatty said of Lotz. "She's a huge asset. Ninety percent of the game is pitching and she knows pitching." Beatty is just hoping her team gets better every day. "Every time we take the field we want to make progress," she said. "No. 1, we want to get better but we also want to win games."
Elgin Maroons
Coach: Peg Corcoran (5th year)
2007 record: 5-29
Top returning players: Seniors Alex Blanchette (OF), Jenn Repp (C/1B); juniors Caris Alan (2B); April Harwood (C/3B); sophomores Brandi Hernandez (SS/3B), Jenna Jaynes (3B/OF), Kelly Patchett (P/OF).
Key newcomers: Juniors Lindsey Morrow (SS), Kori Sabatino (C), Josephine Alborn (C/OF), Erica Ramirez (C/P/IF), Devin Hayes (IF/OF), Kelly Valin (IF/OF); sophomore Alysa Higdon (P).
Outlook: More than anything, to compete this year the Maroons will need to improve on last year's anemic .185 team batting average. "If we can score some runs and play defense we can win some games," said Corcoran. "I think our infield is solid. We'll have some new faces in the outfield but I think we can compete with a lot of teams in the area." Patchett returns to the circle as the No. 1 pitcher while last year's No. 2, Klaudia Valazquez has transferred to Jacobs. Jaynes (3B), Hernandez (SS), Alan (2B) and Repp (1B) look to anchor the infield. Repp missed last season with a foot injury. "Defensively I know we'll be stronger," Corcoran said. "We just have to get people on base and move them. Last year we didn't give our pitchers any support."
Hampshire Whip-Purs
Coach: Ken Bram (2nd season)
2007 record: 8-20, 1-9 Big Northern Conference West Division
Top returning players: Seniors Jessica Kraus (3B), Katie McBride (P), Paige Kent (2B), juniors Kelsey Watson (1B), Jordan Moore (C), Brianna Doyle (CF-LF), sophomore Ally Kent (OF-P)
Key newcomers: Juniors Tegan Singleton (P-CF-IF), Megan Roadcap (SS)
Outlook: Hampshire features a large contingent of returners from last year's squad, highlighted by all-area performer Kraus. "We're going to do the best we can to go after every win we can and hope for the best," said Bram. "We're a year more experienced now and that will help. We're looking to improve in the conference and we want to improve overall and play hard and play with enthusiasm and excitement." McBride, Kent and Singleton give Bram a variety of different ways to go in the pitching department. "We don't have that dominating pitcher," said Bram. "We've got three pitchers that are very solid. Hopefully our defense will keep getting better and will help hold up our pitching." Roadcap is a transfer from Pennsylvania. "Megan will help us in the middle infield," said Bram. "She's a real good ballplayer."
Huntley Red Raiders
Coach: Mark Petryniec (5th season)
2007 record: 23-12 (12-3 FVC Fox)
Top returning players: Seniors Amanda Omiatek (RF), Shannon Ryan (OF); juniors Samantha Clemens (P), Sarah Clancy (CF), Alex Albanese (2B/1B), Deana DeBosschere (3B); sophomore Jenna Mychko (C).
Key newcomers: Junior Jordan Hogue (IF); sophomores Alexys Robbins (C/IF), Amanda Wisniewski (IF/OF), Arianna Albanese (1B); freshmen Kelsey Hagan (IF/OF), Taylor Larson (P/1B).
Outlook: The Red Raiders return one of the most potent offenses in the area led by Mychko, who hit .509 last season and led the area with 40 RBI. Clemens was second in the area with 20 wins in the circle last season. "Our goal for this season is to compete for the (FVC) Fox Division title and to advance as far as possible in the playoffs," said Petryniec, whose team will compete in the Class 3A postseason. "We will need to improve our team defense to be more successful than last year. Hitting is still our strong point but we will focus on getting better with our situational hitting." The Red Raiders return six starters but also will rely on contributions from four sophomores and two freshmen. "We have some good internal competitions going for starting positions," Petryniec said.
Jacobs Golden Eagles
Coach: Jeremy Bauer (5th year)
2007 record: 25-8, 11-4 FVC Valley (tied for first); regional finalist
Top returning players: Seniors Lizzie Andrews (3B-OF), Lauren Arceneaux (SS-P), Katie Collins (OF-2B), Julie Escareno (OF), Meghan Hough (3B), Stephanie Schmidt (2B-OF), Becky Wilson (P-1B)
Key newcomers: Juniors Cassy Bencal (C), Sam Vojtsek (1B-OF), sophomore Sara Jacobsen (C-OF), freshmen Kara Arceneaux (P-2B), Jenna Teson (utility)
Outlook: The Golden Eagles have an abundance of senior talent, headlined by all-area selection Lauren Arceneaux (headed to Loyola), who led the area with a .531 batting average and 7 home runs. Andrews was also an all-area performer last season. "We've got a lot of depth," said Bauer. "There isn't a weakness in the lineup I can see. I'm really confident about our hitting. We're not afraid to hit deep in the count and we've got a lot of patience and experience that will play to our advantage." Bauer also has many different options in the circle, including Wilson, Lauren Arceneaux and Kara Arceneaux. Bauer feels the FVC Valley will be a dogfight again. "Our side seems to be pretty deep with good teams," said Bauer. "We do have experience and we're loaded with seniors. We've got a lot of talent and have a lot of potential. We'll see how far that gets us. Hopefully it gets us pretty far."
Larkin Royals
Coach: Larry Hight (13th year)
2007 record: 16-17 (11-7 Upstate Eight)
Top returning players: Seniors Regina Cozzone (IF), Sarah McCleary (P/1B), Sophie Sterricker (OF), Ellis Hatchett (IF).
Key newcomers: Seniors Brittany Heine (C/IF/OF), Heather Graff (P/IF/OF), Kailee Moore (P/C/IF), Lauren Gabler (IF/OF); freshmen Victoria Nino (C/IF/OF), Corinne Wimmer (C/IF/OF).
Outlook: It will be a rebuilding year of sorts for the Royals, and their success will depend on who steps up to take over for graduated all-area pitcher Jessica Schue, now at ECC. The first one that will fall on is McCleary, who has increased her velocity since last season, when she pitched just 21 innings behind Schue. "Sarah has been looking pretty good," said Hight, who has 272 career wins at Larkin. The offense will need a boost with the loss of all-area first baseman Kiley Holtz, who is now playing at Eastern Illinois. Hatchett returns to 2B and hit .286 last year while Sterricker has won the center field job Cozzone also returns to the infield and the Royals could get a boost from Gabler, who missed the basketball season while recovering from ACL surgery. "She's got some skills and she's battling for a position," Hight said. The catching duties will likely fall to the freshmen, Nino and Wimmer. "We have some good speed but our pitching is unproven and we're inexperienced," said Hight, whose team ended Lake Park's 39-game UEC winning streak last year.
Prairie Ridge Wolves
Coach: Mike Buck (10th year)
2007 record: 21-11, 13-2 (Fox Valley Conference Fox champions)
Top returning players: Senior Kari Rankin (3B), junior Erika Trojan (P), sophomore Anna Patras (SS)
Key newcomers: Sophomores Katie Schillinger (IF), Lexi Wachman (IF), Johanna Turner (P), freshman Lauren Seegers (C)
Outlook: Rankin, Trojan and Patras earned all-conference accolades a year ago. Rankin led the team in hitting at .420, while Trojan had the team's best pitching record. "We've got two pretty solid pitchers and defensively we should be pretty solid," said Buck. "Having three all-conference kids back is big." While the Wolves are still relatively young in age, they don't lack in varsity experience. "Even though we're a little young, we've got that confidence to play at a higher level," said Buck. "Our confidence level is up." Buck's team is looking to continue to build off last season's success. "We knew we could be pretty solid last year," said Buck. "We had things go our way and we won some close games. We certainly expected to compete for a conference championship. Going into this year and next I think we're going to be pretty solid. Our expectations are higher. We went one and out last year in the regional. We certainly want to improve on that."
St. Edward Green Wave
Coach: Mike Rolando (1st year)
2007 record: 6-15
Top returning players: Seniors Megan Pozezinski (3B), Kelly Knott (SS), Erin McGraw (P/OF), Megan Tourtellott (1B/RF); Paige Maschinski (OF), juniors Megan Smith (LF), Madeline Foehringer (IF); sophomores Kristi Knott (CF), Kristina Brockner (C), Meghan Petersen (P).
Key newcomers: Senior Celeste Von Ahnen (1B); freshmen Lea Diaz (2B), Sarah Field (P).
Outlook: After a troubling season in which a hired head coach had to be removed before the season for not being certified, St. Edward softball s back on the right track with Rolando, Scott Brockner, Eloy Diaz and Jaci Corn taking over the program. The Green Wave also has a ton of talent coming back including Pozezinski, who missed most of last season while recovering from ACL surgery. Von Ahnen also returns to play first base after not playing last season. The Knott sisters are returning starters and Brockner handled most of the catching duties last season. McGraw and Petersen have varsity pitching experience and Field is a promising freshman. "They look good," said Rolando, also the school's head football coach whose daughter Veronica is on the Wave's sophomore team. "They're very dedicated and excited about the season. We're excited about the regrowth of the program and that we'll have three levels. There's a lot of talent on this varsity team and there's a lot of competition for positions. We've had a great attitude from all the girls."
South Elgin Storm
Coach: Jason Schaal (2nd year)
2007 record: 16-18 (9-10 Upstate Eight)
Top returning players: Seniors Rebecca French (P/IF), Tegan O'Connor (C), Stephanie Sanocki (IF); junior Lauren Vitello (P/IF); sophomore Caitlin Stredde (OF).
Key newcomers: Junior Kim Pierce (OF); sophomore Courtney Bosteder (IF/OF).
Outlook: In its first varsity season last year, the Storm made great strides. Now, Schaal hopes to take yet another step forward with a more experienced team and the school's first senior class. "Last year was an excellent learning year for us and we played pretty well," Schaal said. "The three seniors back helps a lot and all of these girls have played a lot of summer ball." French (10-11, 1.73 ERA) and Stredde (.381, 24 RBI) are returning all-area players. Where Schaal is looking for the most improvement is in close games. "We had nine one-run losses last year and we've talked about turning those pressure situations to our favor this year," he said. "We just want to take a step forward and improve in the pressure situations."
Streamwood Sabres
Coach: Lindsay Mulay (2nd season)
2007 record: 16-18 overall
Top returning players: Seniors Barb Posinger (P), Adrienne Pisano (C), Melissa Abraham (3B), Danielle Vida (CF), Beth McRill (LF), Jessica Lorusso (2B-SS), Brittany Jasker (OF)
Key newcomers: Junior Arella Gallione (1B), sophomore Delaney O'Malley (utility)
Outlook: Posinger, Pisano and Abraham are returning all-Upstate Eight Conference performers and headline a list of senior veterans. "We've got seven seniors who are taking leadership rolls in key positions on the field," said Mulay. Consistency at the plate is being stressed. "Hopefully our bats will stay strong the whole season," said Mulay. "We started well last year and then we had a little slump at the end." Posinger is back as the team's top pitcher. "It's huge having Barb back," said Mulay. "She's been practicing and developing strength and different types of pitches and speed. She's a key asset to the team." Mulay is confident the team can improve on last year's final mark. "I definitely think the potential is there to do better," said Mulay. "We have to rely on doing the little things throughout the game. Doing all the little things right adds up to wins throughout the season."
Westminster Christian Warriors
Coach: Jim Mueller (1st season)
2007 record: This is the program's first season
Top players: Junior Sara Serrato (P-C), freshmen Julia Engen (C), Katie Moeller (3B-OF-P), Hannah Graves (3B-SS)
Outlook: Westminster Christian's sports stable continues to expand with the addition of softball for the first time. Mueller is an 11-year softball coaching veteran in the Lombard area. "We've got some nice young talent," said Mueller. "Everybody is working together. The team chemistry is really good and that's really important." Despite being a first-year program, Mueller isn't placing any restrictions on goals. "I always tell the girls to set your sights high," said Mueller. "I don't think we're going to win the state title, but that doesn't mean we're not going to try. The further along we get in the season, we're going to be a lot better." Mueller said the response he's received about the first-year program has been nothing but encouraging. "The girls are really ecstatic about it," said Mueller. "The school is excited to have a program. I went to the Private School League meeting and all of the teams are excited that we've got a new team. We've been getting a lot of positive feedback." Westminster will play and practice at the Elgin Sports Complex.