Wildcats find selves in familiar spot

Forgive the Neuqua Valley Wildcats if they feel like they've been here before.

Last year Neuqua Valley lost its first seven games before rebounding to finish 18-16. After a 2-8 start this spring, the Wildcats had won eight of nine and five in a row before dropping a 2-1 decision to Bartlett on Tuesday.

"This year we had high expectations," said Neuqua Valley coach Michelle Schmidt, "and we still do. It took us a while to pull it all together. Now that we have it's very exciting."

Schmidt said the team has "drastically" cut down its errors, since allowing 8 unearned runs in a season-opening loss to Benet.

"We were 2-8," she said, "and after a long weekend we told the girls we start with a clean slate. They're finally trusting each other."

The Wildcats are certainly a youthful team, with six sophomores, one freshman and only three seniors. Two juniors weren't on varsity last year.

One of the sophomores isn't your run-of-the-mill second-year player. Shortstop Jenna Marsalli, the team MVP last year, was hitting .490 with 8 homers and 22 runs batted in heading into the Bartlett game.

"Jenna's talent is because of her instincts," Schmidt said. "She just has a feel for the game. She's a great leader and leads by example."

The kids can play: Starting a freshman and sophomore at third base and shortstop, respectively, doesn't sound like a recipe for success in softball.

But Glenbard North coach Josh Sanew isn't complaining.

Freshman third baseman Alyssa Jasinski and sophomore shortstop Jenny Nelson have only committed one error apiece this season.

In a recent game against Wheaton Warrenville South, Jasinski made a diving grab of a popped up bunt and doubled off a runner with a throw from her knees. Innings earlier Nelson caught a pop up in short left with her back to home plate.

"You can't say enough about the way they've played," Sanew said.

Nelson also swings a big bat, hitting a team-leading .429 with 5 homers and 11 RBI heading into Tuesday.

"She came out swinging this season," Sanew said. "We expect big things out of her."

Jasinski had tried out with the freshman team as a shortstop. Moved up to varsity, she has made a seamless tradition to third base and is hitting .306 batting near the top of the order.

"We loved the way she approached the game, always hustling," Sanew said. "She's sort of a little fireball out there.

"That left side will be real solid for the next couple years," Sanew added. "You can build a nice little nucleus around them."

Daring them to run: Starting at catcher since her freshman year, West Chicago's Linnea Detrick went from being a young catcher for veteran pitcher Christine Williams to being the veteran catcher for freshman hurler Mary Connolly this season.

And what a luxury Detrick is behind the plate, literally shutting down opposing team's running games.

The Illinois recruit has thrown out 12 base stealers this season while allowing just 2 steals. On Tuesday she picked off two runners at first base in a win over Wheaton Warrenville South.

"She has a quick release, strong arm and is pretty accurate -- but mostly it's her release," West Chicago coach Jim Schaudt said. "Her reputation precedes her, especially in conference."

Detrick, also the Wildcats' best baserunner, is cat-quick to throw out runners. And she's a big part of Connolly's 8 shutouts. Connolly said she hasn't shaken off a sign from Detrick all season.

"She's kind of wiry, not your typical frame for a catcher," Schaudt said, "and she knows the game pretty well."

Tough two weeks: Lake Park has started as many as five sophomores this spring. The kids have got their baptism by fire the last two weeks.

Since April 18, the preseason No. 1 Lancers played four games at the Wendy's Classic in Ohio, then returned home to play Bartlett on April 21 and Sandburg last Saturday. Then they lost a rematch with Bartlett on Wednesday.

"It's a good challenge for the kids," Lake Park coach Cray Allen said, "letting the young kids see what it takes to compete physically and mentally. If I had a choice I'd play the top five teams in the state in a row."

It's been no picnic. The Lancers suffered their first loss of the season in Ohio but did go 3-1 at the tournament. Then Bartlett beat them 9-0 and they lost to Sandburg 6-1.

"We got beat by Bartlett because we weren't focused," Allen said about the first matchup with the Hawks. "Sandburg, I don't know if the young girls were blurred by the No. 1 ranking or what, but we literally gave that game away."

It is competition like that the Lancers will need to beat in the postseason, if they hope to advance to the state tournament for the fifth time in six years.

"I think they all understand they have to play the best competition out there, in order to improve," Allen said. "We have a long way to go to be able to compete at that level consistently. I think they're going to get it."