Scouting Tri-Cities area softball teams
Aurora Central
Coach: Claude Ainsworth, first year.
Last year: 7-17 overall, 3-11 in the Suburban Catholic Conference.
Top returning players: Courtney Blake, sr., 2B/P; Courtney Hoffman, sr., 3B; Kristin Brouch, jr., SS/P; Brooke Frantzen, jr., RF; Catherine Pauls, jr., util./OF; Steph Schuetz, sr., CF; Anna Scott, sr., LF; Sarah Chandler, sr., 1B; Allyssa Hasenheyer, sr., C.
Top new players: Kendra Bradley, so., C/2B/util.; Ashley Bohr, so., 2B/C/util.; Crysta Hoffman, fr., util./SS; Casey Regnier, jr., P/1B.
Outlook: After 9 years coaching at the JV level at Benet, Ainsworth makes his varsity coaching debut with the Chargers. He replaced Justen Lehr, who decided to concentrate fully on the varsity wresting program at ACC. Right now, Ainsworth is getting to know his players, but from what he can tell so far, there is potential everywhere. "I'm excited," he said. "We have very good talent, even though the record didn't show last year. We have 6 seniors who are outstanding." Regnier may be a junior, but she is expected to do some outstanding things on the mound as the team's No. 1 pitcher. "She stands out," Ainsworth said. "I also coach a 23-and-under men's team, and they'd have trouble hitting against her." ACC should get strong hitting from Hasenheyer, Blake and Hoffman. Ainsworth also said Brouch is an "outstanding shortstop." Katie Rozanski, a 3-sport athlete (volleyball, basketball and softball) who graduated in 2006, is also on the staff as an assistant this year.
Aurora Christian
Coach: April Boldman, second year (5-17).
Last year: 5-17 overall, 5-9 in the Private School League.
Top returning players: Megan Cryder, sr., 3B; Ashlii Brummel, jr., C; Bridget Kennedy, sr., CF; Shannah Morris, so., SS; Naomi Haas, so., util./P; Amanda Hazlett, jr., P; Eryn Glassman, jr., OF; Steph Perik, so., 2B.
Top new players: Becca Strand, jr., 1B.
Outlook: Boldman did not expect a 5-win season in her first year with the Eagles. However, she knows this team is a work in progress. "The big focus is on fundamentals," she said. "With this year, we are still building the program from the ground up." Some position switching took place as well, as some of last year's returning players are trying out new positions. One of the few that remained the same was Hazlett at pitcher. She will be the Eagles' No. 1 with Haas at No. 2. "We've been working a lot with (Amanda)," Boldman said. Morris is the only player on the team who plays with a traveling team in the off-season. "We are really looking to her to step up," Boldman said. Once this team gets past the basics and gets some field experience, good things may happen. "We are expecting to compete," Boldman said. "You never know what might happen."
Batavia
Coach: Leon Pedraza, first year.
Last year: 14-21 overall, 5-9 in the Western Sun Conference.
Top returning players: Kelsey Phalen, sr., 3B; Brooke Jancik, sr., 2B; Tara Batty, jr., P/1B; Katie Luetkins, so., CF; Alexa Scofield, jr., 3B/SS; Kelly Coleman, jr., CF; Jessica Novy, sr., PH; Kirsten Anderson, sr., 1B.
Top new players: Brooke Nelson, fr., P; Christine Lynam, fr., C; Samantha Burke, sr., OF; Jill Ferguson, jr., 1B; Molly Mahan, jr., LF; Melissa Price, jr., util.; Brittany Simmons, jr., RF; Devan Tonn, jr., util.
Outlook: Pedraza may have spent the last 4 years at Batavia as the head varsity girls golf coach, but this is his first time coaching softball at the varsity level. He took over the program for Jim Schmitz, who resigned after 13 seasons. Pedraza has been with the team since only January, but was already familiar with some of the girls because he spent the last two seasons coaching the freshmen. In the past, he coached newcomers like Ferguson, Mahan, Price, Tonn and Simmons. "I know them, they know me, I know what they can do," Pedraza said. As for the returning players, the Valparaiso-bound Phalen, who has been on varsity since freshman year, is the player to watch out for at third base and at the plate. "She's an outstanding talent," Pedraza said of this three-time all-conference and one time All-Area player. Jancik, Batty and Luetkins are also returning players to keep an eye on. Two freshmen are on the roster, including pitcher Nelson, who is the younger sister of pitcher Elyse Nelson, who graduated last year. "She reminds me a lot of Elyse," Pedraza said. "She's off to a quick start. She showed really well at tryouts and has good softball instincts as well." Pedraza's No. 1 goal is to win the conference, something the Bulldogs have never done. "Why not now?," he said.
Geneva
Coach: Greg Dierks, 18th year (276-300-1).
Last year: 25-11 overall, 9-5 in the Western Sun Conference.
Top returning players: Danielle Caprile, jr., OF; Nikki Davis, jr., OF; Corinne Mack, sr., OF/3B; Kait Pennybacker, sr., C; Deidre Phalon, jr., C/3B/OF; Reggie Rizzo, sr., SS/2B; Kristyn Ruitenberg, so., P/1B; Jordyn Searcy, sr., 3B/1B; Brianne Simmons, sr., P/1B.
Top new players: Amy Hersheway, jr., 2B/OF; Rachel Hunter, so., 3B/SS/C; Melissa Barber, fr., SS/3B; Kelly McCaffrey, fr., P/1B.
Outlook: The Vikings have the perfect blend of returning and new players, as 8 are back and 7 make their debut on varsity. Dierks thinks this year's team is going to be a lot like last year -- minus the power hitting. "It's something we need to work on," he said. What does look good is pitching, as Ruitenberg is the most experienced pitcher for the Vikings. Rookie McCaffrey and Simmons are the team's other two hurlers. "Pitching looks good," Dierks said. "They won't blow people out of the water, but these pitchers are more about movement and location. I am very confident our pitchers will do just fine." Versatility and flexibility are also on Geneva's side, as his girls can play multiple positions. Is another 20-plus win season on the way? It's very possible. "We aren't going to use the 'young team' excuse," Dierks said. "We'll see if we can win 20 games again, no excuses."
Kaneland
Coach: Dennis Hansen, 11th year (334-205 at Kaneland).
Last year: 21-14 overall, 7-7 in the Western Sun Conference.
Top returning players: Maggie Yagen, sr., SS; Lindsay Hansen, sr., C; Ericka Kendrick, jr., 1B; Jackie Smith, sr., DH; Brianna Hurst, jr., 2B; Sara Rose, jr., 3B; Vicki Matthieu, sr., RF; Haley Baluff, sr., LF; Mallory Huml, jr., P.
Top new players: Jordan Herra, jr., OF/DH/C; Erin Heyob, jr., DH/P; Brittney Nelson, jr., P; Chassidy Mangers, jr., OF; Jess Lubic, fr., OF.
Outlook: Both Rose and Yagen, a pair of All-Area infielders, return for the Knights, who are gunning for yet another winning season. "We are hoping to improve on that," Hansen said of last year's record of 21 wins. "We are hoping another year of experience will make us better." Yagen (who is heading to Hansen's alma mater, Elmhurst College) and Rose are also the team's best threats at the plate. Taking the mound this year is Mallory Huml, a junior who went 4-1 last year. She fills in for the two main pitchers Kaneland lost from last year's team, Brittney Carnell and Liz Choate. "We expect good things from (Mallory)," said Hansen, who listed Heyob and Nelson as the Knights' other two hurlers.
Rosary
Coach: Tara Tattersall, fifth year (47-60).
Last year: 9-16 overall, 8-6 in the Suburban Catholic Conference.
Top returning players: Courtney Classen, jr., C/OF; Lauren Contorno, sr., IF/OF; Andrea DeKing, jr., C; Jess Fortier, jr., P; Audra Masters, sr., 1B; Kylie Schalz, sr., P/SS; Colleen VanBogaert, sr., CF/3B.
Top new players: Ali Keenum, fr., IF; Lauren McNally, so., IF/OF; Brenda Rocha, fr., SS/2B; Karli Simmons, jr., OF.
Outlook: What's there not to like about the Royals this year? They have amazing potential to better last year's 9-win showing, as two players, Schalz and VanBogaert, who have been on varsity since freshman year, are heading to Division I schools. Schalz is going to Oakland University in Michigan and VanBogaert is heading to Loyola University in Chicago. "We have five seniors who really want to leave a mark," Tattersall said. "This group is talented up and down. They have experience from summer ball and are hard workers." There are just 4 new players on the roster who are expected to fill holes in the outfield and provide bat power. Both the volleyball and basketball teams won regional titles this year. Tattersall would like to see the trifecta completed with a softball regional and perhaps a conference title as well. "This group of girls is special," she said.
St. Charles East
Coach: Eric Ray, fourth year (42-50-1).
Last year: 11-22 overall, 7-13 in the Upstate Eight Conference.
Top returning players: Victoria Perez, sr., P; Michelle Yucuis, sr., 3B; Rachel Edwards, jr., 1B; Rebecca Reinbold, jr., SS; Jenny Niemiec, so., 2B.
Top new players: Brittany Perrotta, so., C; Steph Roan, so., OF; Gabby Moe, so., P; Claire Desrosiers, so., P.
Outlook: The Saints started last year on a strong note, but finished with just 11 wins. Ray wants to make sure that doesn't happen again. "We are looking to improve and be in the top tier of the conference," he said. With Perez healthy again, that may happen. Perez, who is in her third year on varsity, suffered with lower back pain last year. When the Judson College-bound left-handed pitcher was down, so was the rest of the team. "She's looking good now," Ray said. "She's hitting her spots and working hard." Yucuis is another returning player who is entering her third year with the Saints. The third baseman will play at Elgin Community College next year with hopes to transfer where her sister Liz currently plays -- the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. "She's improved and had a nice summer for us," Ray said. Reinbold made last year's All-Area team after a fine year at shortstop. She is part of the all-returning infield for the Saints.
St. Charles North
Coach: April Stary, fourth year (72-38-1).
Last year: 14-19 overall, 10-9 in the Upstate Eight Conference.
Top returning players: Lisa Korth, sr., IF/OF; Jackie Devitt, sr., IF; Brooke Jaeger, sr., IF; Lauren Screeden, sr., IF; Christine Roggemann, jr., P/OF; Christine Truesdell, sr., P/OF.
Top new players: Natalie Capone, fr., IF: Sydney Russell, fr., IF; Taylor Russell, fr., IF; Loren Cihlar, fr., OF; Amanda Engel, so., P; Amanda Ciran, fr., P/IF.
Outlook: Stary had little explanation for what happened last year. The North Stars had the talent, but they failed to produce a winning record. "I don't know what it was," Stary said. "It just wasn't connecting at the same time." Perhaps it will this year? With 5 new freshmen and an optimistic outlook, St. Charles North may get back on track to its winning ways. "All the kids have some experience -- maybe not on varsity -- but this is something new and we are keeping them on their toes," Stary said, adding that if it all clicks, this can be a "super wicked season." This is a roster filled with little sisters of former North Stars. Cihlar is the younger sister of Stephanie, who currently plays at Loyola University in Chicago; Engel is a pitcher like her two older sisters, Christy and Melissa; twins Sidney and Taylor are the younger siblings of Linda. Engel and another new Amanda, Ciran, will be pitching this year, along with a pair of returning Christines -- Truesdell and Roggemann. Korth will anchor the outfield as the top returning hitter. "It's going to be an interesting season," said Stary, who has a new assistant in Tom Poulin, who is the head varsity boys basketball coach and also coaches with the football team. "We have the talent. We have to put it all together."
West Aurora
Coach: Dave Zine, first year.
Last year: 22-12-1 overall, 10-4 in the DuPage Valley Conference; only team in the area to win a regional title, which was the 11th under former coach Donna Proctor.
Top returning players: Stephanie Becker, jr., P; Sam Arenkill, sr., P; Mariah Barnak, jr., CF/2B; Kelsy Renner, sr., C; Devin Vaughn, so., SS/2B.
Top new players: Madison Whitt, jr., OF; Jenny Stutz, jr., 3B/OF; Christina Hunger, fr., IF; Maribeth Vasquez, so., C; Jessica Medgyesi, jr., IF/OF; Allie Sherman, jr., 1B/P.
Outlook: There's a little bit of the old and a whole lot of new for the Blackhawks this year. For starters, they have a new coach in Zine, who took over after Donna Proctor resigned after 21 seasons as head coach. There are also 9 players making their debut on the team and a trip to Kentucky during spring break is new on the schedule. "Right now, I'm getting a feel for the talent on the team," said Zine, who also coaches varsity girls golf at West Aurora. The "old" is also one of the top talents on the team, as last year's All-Area captain, Becker, returns for her third year on varsity. The junior lefty committed to Division I Mississippi State right before the season began and posted an awesome 0.14 ERA last year. "All the pressure (to pick a school) is off her, and now she can focus on the rest of her high school career," Zine said. "I tried catching for her, and it wasn't fun." Becker and Arenkill (who will play at Kankakee Junior College) will be the anchor of the pitching staff, as the two complement each other well. Even though West Aurora lost 8 seniors, the team still appears to be in pretty good shape, as Zine thinks the newcomers will contribute right away. "It's a challenge, but at the same time, it's a great opportunity," Zine said.