West's (Aren) killer 1-2 punch

Softball is one of those high school sports where if you have one ace pitcher, there's a pretty good chance you are going to have a great team.

But if you have two high-quality hurlers? Watch out.

This might explain why the West Aurora softball team is 10-0 and off to a great start this year.

Sure, everyone knows about ace left-handed pitcher Stephanie Becker, a Mississippi State-bound junior who was last year's All-Area captain in the Tri-Cities Area, but let's not forget Sam Arenkill.

West Aurora sure hasn't.

Arenkill, a senior, has not only emerged as a quality right-handed pitcher, but she's getting it done offensively and also is capable of playing right field and first base when Becker is on the mound.

It's this type of all-around player that has helped the Blackhawks start the season undefeated and made them the second-ranked team in the Daily Herald Top 20.

This is impressive, considering the Blackhawks lost 9 seniors from last year's team and only had 5 coming back, including Becker and Arenkill.

"I was kind of nervous because I didn't know how we'd do," Arenkill said. "When we went to Kentucky (for spring break and went 4-0), I was really shocked at how well we did."

As far as individual results go, new Blackhawks coach Dave Zine is anything but shocked at how well Arenkill has done this year. He coached her as a freshman for a half a season before she was moved up to the JV team.

"I saw her as a freshman, and I knew she could hit and she could throw hard," said Zine, who took over for coach Donna Proctor. "She's really developed into a pitcher, so we all knew Sam would help us out this year. Between her and Steph, those are two strong pitchers. It was no surprise."

Arenkill doesn't think so either. She's just glad she's getting more time on the mound than she did last year.

"This year, I get a chance," Arenkill said. "I really didn't get a chance last year, so it's better. We are all really close, and that makes me feel more confident. It makes it a lot easier."

Another thing that has made this year easier for Arenkill is that there is absolutely no jealously or resentment toward Becker.

Becker has pitched more innings (39¿ for a 7-0 record), has a lower ERA (0.71), and has struck out more batters (70) but Arenkill has managed to post solid numbers as well. In 19½ innings pitched, Arenkill has given up 17 hits, struck out 14 batters, allowed just 4 walks and has a 3-0 record.

The two hurlers have allowed just 17 runs and neither has yet to give up a triple or a home run to any of the 10 opponents the Blackhawks have faced.

"It's all fine by me because I know she's better," Arenkill said of Becker pitching more. "I don't mind because I like playing the field too. I think it's working out pretty good.

"There's no competition, nothing. We are actually good friends, so it's nice."

"Sam is a team player," Zine added. "She knows she can contribute more to this team than just pitching. If she was just a pitcher, that might get to her but she's a huge part of this team and the offense. We tell the girls if one is starting, the other one has to be warmed up. They both understand their role.

"They are both great offensive players as well. They both can hit when they are pitching, which is a luxury to have as a coach."

Through 10 games, Arenkill leads the Blackhawks in at-bats (29), doubles (2), RBI (14) and is tied with Devin Vaughn in hits (12).

Arenkill also has hit one home run, scored 9 times and has struck out just 3 times while third on the Blackhawks in batting average (.414) as the No. 3 batter in the lineup.

"This year, once again, (hitting) is helpful with all the girls behind me and supporting me," Arenkill said. "It's more about having fun and going with it."

It's this sort of all-around game that has allowed Arenkill to play at Kankakee Community College next year, where she plans on studying business.

"She's strong," Zine said. "She has a good sense of the strike zone. Kankakee is getting one heck of a player."

Even umpires have taken notice of Arenkill. While the Blackhawks were in Kentucky, Vaughn, a catcher, said an official made a comment to her while she was behind the plate.

"One of the umps said (about Becker), 'Oh, that must be your ace,' and I said, 'She's going to Mississippi State,'" Vaughn said. "Then Sam came in the next game, and he said, 'Well, she's pretty good too,' and I said, 'Yeah, we are set.' We are lucky to have both of them."