Tri-Cities softball year in review
Aurora Central
Final record: 14-20 overall, 3-11 in the Suburban Catholic Conference.
Top losses to graduation: Courtney Blake, Courtney Hoffman, Steph Schuetz, Anna Scott, Sarah Chandler, Allyssa Hasenheyer.
Top returning players: Casey Regnier, jr., P; Kristin Brouch, jr., SS/P; Kendra Bradley, so., C/2B.
Final quote from coach Claude Ainsworth: "(The season) was quite successful. Up until this year, ACC hadn't won 14 games in several years. The girls came along well. We had 6 seniors and a lot of young players coming back."
Aurora Christian
Final record: 6-16 overall, 5-8 in the Private School League.
Top losses to graduation: Megan Cryder, Bridget Kennedy.
Top returning players: Ashlii Brummel, jr., C; Shannah Morris, so., SS; Naomi Haas, so., util./P; Steph Perik, so., 2B.
Final quote from coach April Boldman: "The season started off rocky, but we improved and ended up in the regional final and won 6 of our last 8 games. That's pretty good."
Batavia
Final record: 9-15 overall, 4-10 in the Western Sun Conference.
Top losses to graduation: Kelsey Phalen (heading to Valparaiso), Brooke Jancik, Jess Novy, Kirsten Anderson, Sam Berke.
Top returning players: Alexa Scofield, jr., IF; Kelly Coleman, jr., CF; Brooke Nelson, fr., P; Katie Luetkins, so., CF.
Final quote from coach Leon Pedraza: "It was a fun, hectic (season). I learned a lot. I'm looking forward to a lot of positive changes next year."
Geneva
Final record: 14-15 overall, 6-8 in the Western Sun Conference (fifth).
Top losses to graduation: Corinne Mack, Kait Pennybacker, Reggie Rizzo, Jordyn Searcy, Bri Simmons.
Top returning players: Melissa Barber, fr., SS/2B; Danielle Caprile, jr., CF; Nikki Davis, jr., LF; Amy Hersheway, jr., 2B/OF; Rachel Hunter, so., 3B; Kelly McCaffrey, fr., P; Dee Phalon, jr., C/RF; Kristyn Ruitenberg, so., P.
Final quote from coach Greg Dierks: "It was up and down. We went on a couple of winning streaks and a couple of losing streaks, but I was proud of how resilient the girls were. They didn't let the losses get to them. I'm very encouraged for next year."
Kaneland
Final record: 23-7 overall, 11-3 in the Western Sun Conference.
Top losses to graduation: Hayley Balluff, Maggie Yagen, Vickie Mathieu, Jacki Smith, Erica Kendrick, Lindsay Hansen.
Top returning players: Mallory Huml, jr., P; Sara Rose, jr., 3B; Jess Lubic, fr., OF; Brianna Hurst, jr., 2B.
Final quote from coach Dennis Hansen: "I'm a little surprised at how well we did. Mallory exceeded what I thought she would do and the hitters got better and better. I'm surprised, but they worked hard at it. This was a good group."
Rosary
Final record: 17-15 overall, 12-2 in the Suburban Catholic Conference (only team in area to win a conference title; first conference title for the Royals since the 2003 season).
Top losses to graduation: Kylie Schalz (Oakland University), Colleen VanBogaert (Loyola), Lauren Contorno, Emily Rath, Audra Masters.
Top returning players: Courtney Classen, jr., C/OF; Andi DeKing, jr., C; Jess Fortier, jr., P; Lauren McNally, so., IF/OF; Brenda Rocha, fr., IF.
Final quote from coach Tara Tattersall: "It was very exciting and a lot of fun. This was a great group of girls who got along well. It was fun to watch the seniors grow and mature."
St. Charles East
Final records: 15-14 overall, 12-7 in the Upstate Eight Conference.
Top losses to graduation: Victoria Perez, Michelle Yucuis.
Top returning players: Rebecca Reinbold, jr., SS; Gabby Moe, jr., P; Mary Kate Brooks, so., OF; Steph Roan, so., OF; Claire Derosiers, so., OF; Rachael Edwards, jr., 1B.
Final quote from coach Eric Ray: "In years past, we've struggled to find the .500 mark, but this year, we took steps forward in the right direction and got to where we wanted to be (but) there were a few games there we should have won. Overall, it was a fun year. The girls learned a lot."
St. Charles North
Final records: 23-12 overall, 12-8 in the Upstate Eight Conference.
Top losses to graduation: Lisa Korth, Jackie Devitt, Brooke Jaeger, Lauren Screeden, Christine Truesdell.
Top returning players: Natalie Capone, fr., IF; Sydney Russell, fr., IF; Taylor Russell, fr., IF; Loren Cihlar, fr., OF; Amanda Engel, so., P; Kristin Damm, so., C; Amanda Ciran, fr., P.
Final quote from coach April Stary: "We didn't know what to expect this year, but it was an eye-opening year because the kids did awesome. They grew and got the job done when they needed to."
West Aurora
Final records: 17-15-1 overall, 5-9 in the DuPage Valley Conference.
Top losses to graduation: Sam Arenkill, Kelsey Renner.
Top returning players: Stephanie Becker, jr., P; Mariah Barnak, jr., OF; Devin Vaughn, so., SS/2B; Madison Whitt, jr., OF; Ali Sherman, jr., 1B; Christina Hunger, fr., IF.
Final quote from coach Dave Zine: It was a tale of two seasons. In the first half, everyone contributed, but in the second half, we couldn't buy a run. It was a young team, and there was some inexperience there, but I'm looking forward to next year."
-- By Christine Bolin
Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com
St. Charles North's Lisa Korth slides safely into second base before Geneva's Melissa Barber can apply the tag. The North Stars lost a heartbreaker in 11 innings in the regional championship game this year while the Vikings wrapped up the year 14-15.