Renegades have plethora of experience

Under the guidance of longtime coach Glen Smith, the Fox Valley Renegades 16U girls fastpitch softball team will return to the diamond for the summer of 2008 following a very successful 38-15 campaign from last year.

Nine returning players will head the 13-person roster as the team invites four newcomers to help build upon past success.

Kaitlin Walsh of Hoffman Estates will head a solid pitching core which includes Scarlett Pucci (Resurrection) and Sarah Field from St. Edward.

Named a Toyota Player of the Week during the high school season, Walsh will be exciting to watch.

"Kaitlin will be our ace," said Smith. "She is throwing the ball really well and will be a lot of fun to watch.

"Pitching is a concern beyond her because our other girls are young, but they should fall into form quickly."

Both Pucci and Field are new to the team.

Cassy Bencal (Jacobs) and Jenni Kayser (New Jersey) will share time behind the plate, and anchoring the infield will be short-stop Beka Ozga (Stevenson). An all-conference selection, Ozga is multi-talented and is expected to be an impact player for the Renegades despite being new to the team.

"Beka is just an incredible all around ball player," said Smith. "She should head a very strong defense for us."

Another all-conference selection during the high school season, Ella Aslan (Lake Zurich) will play both first base and the outfield. Also playing first base and outfield for the Renegades will be Sarah McGinn of Schaumburg.

Ariel Loza (West Aurora) and Brittany Hill (Schaumburg) will alternate between second base and the outfield, and Layla Ismajlaj of South Elgin will play the hot corner. Ismajlaj helped South Elgin to the sectional championship game at Machesney Park Harlem where the Storm fell 1-0 to Crystal Lake South. Ismajlaj hit .254 with 5 doubles and 2 triples.

"Our hitting will be stronger this year than it was last year," Smith said. "We will have a very good hitting team."

Megan Smith (St. Edward) and Caitlin Becker (Schaumburg) will anchor the outfield.

"We're excited," said Smith. "We have a really strong team that will surprise some people.

"There are a lot of second year 16s here so experience will be a plus. With that, I'm seeing a certain maturity. The girls are very mature and very serious about playing competitive softball."

With talent all over the field, Smith and the Renegades will look to make it to the NSA Nationals in the weeks ahead.