Prospect provides winning 1-2 punch

Prospect's daily double of shortstop Amy Varner and catcher Cyndi Becker has been a winning softball ticket all season.

Through 22 games, the Knights' leadoff and No. 2 hitters have combined for 56 hits and 36 runs.

"They are a wonderful combination in terms of speed and versatility," said Prospect coach Brenda Martin. "They can bunt, hit and run. They can do it all. You can't ask for much more."

While the top two batters in the order will be graduating, Martin's Nos. 3 and 4 hitters will be around for some time.

Sophomore Amanda Mlikan has been in the three spot while freshman Nikki Surico has seen time at cleanup.

"They're great kids and very dedicated," Martin said. "They have really given us some big RBI this spring to help us win games.

Surico has a home run and 3 doubles while Mlikan has connected for 6 doubles.

"Next year Nikki will probably move into the infield and Amanda will probably catch," Martin said.

Pitch-catch: As the Rolling Meadows senior catcher, Angela Mahanna knows how to handle pitchers.

She also knows how to pitch.

Coach Tony Wolanski had to call upon the versatile right-hander to throw some innings last Saturday when an injury forced freshman Kayla Mueller to the sidelines.

Mahanna went the final 2 innings in a 6-4 loss to Streamwood. Freshman Kelly Keyzer was behind the plate.

Frosh heavy: While key freshmen seemed to have popped up on almost every team in the Mid-Suburban League this spring, no one can quite match Buffalo Grove.

Bison coach Laura Stock has seven on her roster. and all have played key roles at some point.

Three of the freshmen are pitchers who have seen significant time on the mound -- Andrea DiPrima, Emily Begnel and Maria Dax.

The other four are Mallory Smith, K.C. Dunne, Danni Shapiro and Danielle Brown.

Soph heavy: When Lena Brottman is in the circle, Fremd coach Jim Weaver has seven sophomores on the diamond.

And obviously they are seven talented sophomores as the Vikings are enjoying one of their finest seasons ever.

They were 24-3 through Monday of this week, with two of the losses coming to Mid-Suburban West champ Barrington.

In addition to ace pitcher Brottman, the other sophomores are Kelly Voigt, Alexa Cinquegrani, Lauren Zaworski, Tess Dinterman and Kristine Werling.

The Vikings will finish with their fewest losses in seven seasons under Weaver.

The previous record was in 2004, when the Vikings went 27-8-1 and won their first of three straight regional titles under Weaver.