The Fox Valley all-area softball team

Caris Alan, Elgin

A junior second baseman, Alan led the Maroons with a .416 batting average and was equally adept in the field -- committing only 2 errors the entire season. An all-Upstate Eight Conference pick, Alan punctuated her season with a 3-run, game-tying double against Larkin in regional play. "I don't think I've coached a kid in all of my years that hates to lose as much as she does," said Elgin coach Peg Corcoran. "That's a big deal. She's a great kid and a great competitor. Caris is a steady, heady player. No matter what, she came to play every day."

More Coverage Links All-Area co-captain Kayla Oranger All-Area co-captain Lauren Arceneaux

Lizzie Andrews, Jacobs

Think she's not trying hard? You're wrong -- that's just the way this Jacobs senior plays the game. "She has such natural ability she puts you to sleep," said Jacobs coach Jeremy Bauer. "You don't even think she's trying hard but she has such good decision making ability, it's just fun to watch her play." This season, the senior co-captain hit .433 with 3 home runs and a school record 42 RBI for the 27-4 Golden Eagles, who won the Fox Valley Conference Valley Division title outright and undefeated. She also had 12 doubles, 4 triples, a .732 slugging percentage and a .477 on-base percentage. A three-time all-area selection, she will play at Heartland Community College in Normal.

Lauren Areceneaux, Jacobs

An honorary co-captain of the all-area team, this Jacobs senior shortstop was the area's leading hitter at .565 and had 5 homers and 28 RBI for the 27-4 Golden Eagles, who won the Fox Valley Conference Valley Division title outright and undefeated. "She led by example,quot; said coach Jeremy Bauer. "She told you how to do something and then she went out and showed you how to do it." The Loyola-Chicago recruit scored 48 runs, had 52 hits, including 7 doubles and 5 triples, and a .913 slugging percentage. She struck out only 8 times in 113 at-bats and is a 4-time all-area selection.

Sam Clemons, Huntley

Clemons, a junior, is a 3-time all-Fox Valley Conference selection who sports a 49-16 career pitching record with a 1.56 ERA. Clemons went 20-7 with a 1.98 ERA in helping the Red Raiders win their first FVC Fox Division crown this year. At the plate, Clemons hit .280 with 17 RBI. "Sam has had to carry the majority of the pitching load for us the last 2 seasons," said Huntley coach Mark Petryniec. "Every year, Sam has stepped up to the challenge and expanded her repertoire on the mound. Sam has already gone down as the most successful pitcher in school history and she still has her senior year to play." Clemons won 20 games for the second time in her career and is a 3-time all-area selection

Callie Dennison, Bartlett

Just a sophomore, Dennison played a steady shortstop and served as a backup pitcher for the Upstate Eight Conference champion Hawks, helping them to a 28-7 season record. Hit .360 with 3 home runs, 18 RBI and 13 doubles from the leadoff spot. Scored 34 runs, had a .560 slugging percentage and a .492 on-base percentage. Was 10-1 in the circle with a 1.83 ERA. "Callie worked very hard to improve between her freshman and sophomore years," said coach Jim Wolfsmith. "She worked very hard on her pitching knowing she's coming in as the No. 1 next year. She's got the whole package and I'd expect her to be a big-time player for us the next 2 years."

Rebecca French, South Elgin

One of several top senior pitchers in the area this season, this Storm right-hander led her team to a 23-11 record and the school's first regional title in any sport and a spot in the sectional finals. She was 13-6 with a 2.08 ERA and struck out 138 batters in 115 innings. "I think she's one of the best in the area," said coach Jason Schaal. Her won/loss record might not have been as great as some others but every time she stepped in the circle we knew we were going to be in the game." A two-time all-area pick, French will walk on at Division II Grand Valley State in Michigan. "She's a great kid and hopefully she has some success and makes the team at Grand Valley," Schaal said.

Jessica Gable, Crystal Lake South

Gable propelled the Gators into a Class 4A supersectional game by going 4-0 and allowing only 1 earned run in the team's first 4 playoff games (6-inning no-hitter in sectional title game). Gable then pitched 9 1/3 innings in a 4-3 10-inning loss to Barrington in supersectional action. "The entire team's attitude changed once the playoffs started," said South coach Scott Busam. "Jessica was the catalyst for this unbelievable run. She was our ace last year. She's our ace this year. She's a tough competitor and a fun person to be around." Gable, an all-Fox Valley Conference Valley Division pick, won 12 games and finished with a 1.58 ERA to go with 142 strikeouts in 155 1/3 innings (43 walks).

Ellis Hatchett, Larkin

Despite Larkin's tough season, this senior infielder shined, hitting .407 with 7 doubles and 14 stolen bases. Had a .480 on-base percentage and struck out only 14 times in 102 at-bats. "She's one of the most coachable kids I've ever had," said coach Larry Hight. "She's a three-year varsity player who went through the ups and downs with us. "She's always been a leader and we'll miss her a lot." Might try to walk on at NCAA Division III national runner-up Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Elizabeth Kay, Bartlett

Bartlett's junior catcher played with a broken finger the second half of the season and still hit .438 with 8 homers and 39 RBI. Had a .769 slugging percentage and a .567 on-base percentage and struck out just 7 times in 121 at-bats. Scored 43 runs and had 12 doubles and 2 triples for the undefeated Upstate Eight Conference champs who finished the season 28-7. "I don't know how many players would break a finger on Saturday and come back and play against one of the top teams in the state (Lake Park) on Monday," said coach Jim Wolfsmith of this Illinois State recruit. "She worked harder than everybody out there day in and day out." A 2-time all-area selection.

Ally Kent, Hampshire

Kent, a sophomore center fielder-pitcher, hit .402 and was second on the team in runs scored with 33. Kent, an all-Big Northern Conference East Division pick, led Hampshire with 11 doubles and was also tops on the team with a .652 on-base percentage. Kent went 7-6 in the circle, striking out 110 batters in only 89 innings while registering a team-low 2.36 ERA. "Ally is a great athlete and a great center fielder and was one of our top pitchers," said Hampshire coach Ken Bram, whose team won a regional title. "She was able to drive the ball and was fast on the bases. She puts pressure on the defense. Ally is a great kid and a great team player."

Kelly Knott, St. Edward

This senior shortstop led St. Edward to a turnaround 18-13 season that ended with an extra-inning loss to Morrison in a Class 2A supersectional. She hit .449 with 5 doubles, 5 triples and 14 RBI from the leadoff spot. Also scored 23 runs, had 22 stolen bases and had a .476 on-base percentage. "The list about Kelly can go on and on," said coach Mike Rolando. "She's definitely a gamer and the definition of hustle. "She was a clutch player for our team and a real sparkplug for us."

Kristi Knott, St. Edward

Just a sophomore, this Green Wave center fielder helped her team to an 18-13 record and a berth in a Class 2A supersectional. She hit .388 with 6 doubles and a team-high 19 RBI. Also stole 13 bases and scored 18 runs. "She has great softball knowledge and tremendous athletic ability," said coach Mike Rolando. "She's got a tremendous arm in the outfield and threw out three runners at the plate to win games for us."

Erica Maisto, Burlington Central

The most prolific pitcher in area history, this Rocket senior went 16-1 this season with a 0.25 ERA and 11 shutouts. She finished her career with a school and area record 76 wins. The honorary co-captain of the 2005 all-area team, she is a 4-time all-area selection. Finished the season with 126 strikeouts and only 11 walks in helping the Rockets to a 32-2 season and their fourth straight conference and fifth straight regional titles and a 128-16 record in her 4 years. In her career she was 76-10 and gave up only 44 earned runs in 542 innings (0.56 ERA). Also played left field this season and hit .279 with 25 RBI. She will continue her career on scholarship at Division II Upper Iowa University. "She had an outstanding season and career and has done a lot for this program in her 4 years here," said coach Scot Sutherland. "She was a silent leader for us and she should be a nice addition to the Upper Iowa program.."

Erin McGraw, St. Edward

This senior pitcher came on strong down the stretch and led her team to an 18-13 finish and a berth in a Class 2A supersectional. Finished the season 9-7 with a 1.62 ERA in 104 innings. Also hit .292 with 5 doubles. "She carried us at the end of the season," said coach Mike Rolando. "She fed off the competition from (freshman) Sarah Field and worked on her game. It was her senior year and she wanted to make the most of it. She just did a tremendous job for us."

Jenna Mychko, Huntley

Mychko, a 2-time all-Fox Valley Conference Fox Division pick, hit over .500 for the second year in a row -- this year registering a .513 average with 4 home runs and 36 RBI. Just a sophomore, Mychko sports a career .511 batting average (113-for-221) and a .751 career slugging percentage (.748 in 2008 via 89 total bases). Mychko also sported an unblemished 1.000 fielding percentage (197 total chances) this year and has a career .995 fielding percentage (388 total chances; 2 errors). "It is hard to believe that she is only a 15-year-old doing what she can do on the field," said Huntley coach Mark Petryniec. "Besides being our biggest offensive threat, she has been exceptional behind the plate. Jenna calls every game and has been a tremendous asset to our program." Mychko belted a critical game-tying homer in the regional title game this year.

Maggie O'Brien, Cary-Grove

This senior center fielder gave up her position when a teammate got injured to come in and play shortstop and helped the Trojans to an 18-14 season. She finished the season with a 16-game hitting streak and went 22 for her last 29. She only made 1 error in the outfield. "She really came on at the end of the year and did a phenomenal job of reading the pitcher and reading the defense," said coach Tammy Olson. The left-handed slapper finished the season hitting an even .400 and set a school record for stolen bases with 27. Also led her team with 26 runs scored and had a .466 on-base percentage.

Kayla Oranger, Burlington Central

An honorary co-captain of the all-area team, this Rocket junior shortstop had her best season yet, hitting .496 with 26 RBI and 43 stolen bases. Also had 4 triples, a .605 slugging percentage and a .522 on-base percentage. Scored 46 runs and had an area-high 64 hits. "She got us going," said coach Scot Sutherland of his leadoff hitter. "She's very versatile at the plate and a tough out." A 2-time all-area player she is being recruited by a variety of Division I programs.

Kim Pierce, South Elgin

A late transfer from Florida, this junior stepped into the center field spot at South Elgin and helped the Storm to a 23-11 season and the school's first regional championship in any sport. Hit .495 and led the area in home runs with 8 and RBI with 47. Also had 14 doubles, 4 triples, a 1.000 slugging percentage, a .519 on-base percentage and only struck out 5 times in 97 at-bats. She even stepped in to pitch a few games when needed and went 2-1 with a 1.94 ERA. "She's the kind of kid any coach would want to move in," said coach Jason Schaal. "She led by example. She just came in and played softball and helped us move to the next level. She's great kid and definitely a Division I prospect."

Brooke Porto, Burlington Central

A 4-year varsity player, this Rocket center fielder was a key part of the team's 32-2 season that included their fourth straight conference and fifth straight regional titles. In her 4 years on the BC varsity, the Rockets went 128-16. This season she hit .389 with 2 home runs, 25 RBI and a .458 on-base percentage. Also stole 23 bases and scored 36 runs. "She was a very solid defender for us throughout her 4 years," said coach Scot Sutherland. "She did an outstanding job of helping to lead the team this year. Offensively she could much more than just hit. She could beat out bunts and she was one of our quickest players."

Barb Posinger, Streamwood

Posinger earned her second straight all-Upstate Eight Conference selection thanks to hitting .298 and leading the team in doubles (7) and finishing second in RBI. Posinger was also a key cog for the Sabres in the circle, winning 8 games and striking out 92 batters in 144 innings of work. "Barb has been the backbone of the team," said Streamwood coach Lindsay Mulay. "She's a leader and a captain. She's meant everything to the team. Her batting average went up and she was able to hit her spots a lot more pitching and she added two pitches."

Megan Pozezinski, St. Edward

This senior third baseman missed her junior season with an ACL injury but came back strong to earn all-area honors for the third time. Finished the season hitting .309 with 2 home runs and 16 RBI in helping her team to an 18-13 season that ended with a run to a Class 2A supersectional. Scored 22 runs and had 8 stolen bases. "She started off slow but she really came on in the second half of the season and was a stead solid leader for us," said coach Mike Rolando.

Kari Rankin, Prairie Ridge

Rankin's senior season was at one point in jeopardy due to her having surgery to remove an abscess from her inner ear. But Rankin came back in April with authority and ended up hitting .542 with 8 doubles and 10 RBI. Rankin, who moved to left field from her normal third base slot after the surgery, slugged .678 and had an on-base percentage of .585. A four-year starter, Rankin earned her second-straight all-Fox Valley Conference Fox Division honor this year. "She's one of the hardest-working athletes I've ever had," said Prairie Ridge coach Mike Buck. "She's a great young lady. To come back with that determination at that level is truly a success story."

Megan Roadcap, Hampshire

Roadcap, a junior shortstop, led the regional champion Whip-Purs with a .438 batting average to go with 2 homers and 29 RBI. A transfer from Pennsylvania, this all-Big Northern Conference East Division selection led the team with 39 hits and also sported a .629 on-base percentage. "Megan is a wonderful shortstop -- a great fielder," said Hampshire coach Ken Bram. "She made some real nice plays besides the routine plays. She was really reliable at shortstop and really shored up our defense."

Mackenzie Scott, Burlington Central

One of the more dominant pitchers in the area, this 3-time all-area selection went 16-1 for the Rockets this season with a 0.78 ERA and 247 strikeouts (14.9 per game average), leading to 8 shutouts as she helped her team to a 32-2 record and its fourth straight conference and fifth straight regional titles. Opponents hit just .092 off her. Gave up just 35 hits in 116 innings. "She did an outstanding job and her potential is unlimited," said coach Scot Sutherland. "We're looking for her to be a leader for the program next year and someone for the kids to look up to. There's a lot of upsides to the things she has to offer.

Lauren Vitiello, South Elgin

South Elgin's first baseman had a breakout junior season, upping her batting average 200 points, hitting .539, which was second in the area. She also had 7 home runs and 41 RBI in helping the Storm to a 23-11 season and the school's first regional title in any sport. She had a .882 slugging percentage and a .573 on-base percentage and struck out just 8 times in 102 at-bats and had 10 doubles. "She's a great kid and a great hitter," said coach Jason Schaal. "If she continues to grow and make strides like she did this year, there's no telling how good she can be next year."

Becky Wilson, Jacobs

The senior mainstay in the circle for the 27-4 Fox Valley Conference Valley Division champions, Wilson, who transferred in from Las Vegas before her junior year, was 11-2 with a 0.84 ERA and walked only 14 this season, sharing time in the circle with freshman Kara Arceneaux. When she wasn't pitching she played first base for the Golden Eagles and finished the season hitting .261 with 13 RBI. "She's no different than any other kid," said coach Jeremy Bauer. "She's competitive for sure, but when she wasn't pitching she played a good first base for us. She was a really good teammate."

Lauren Wydra, Bartlett

Easily one of the best pitchers to ever come through the area, this 3-time all-area selection was 18-4 with a 0.80 ERA and 232 strikeouts for the undefeated Upstate Eight Conference champion Hawks, who finished the season 28-7. Also hit .354 with 3 home runs, 28 RBI and 6 doubles. "After 3 years of counting on her it will be a hard thing to swallow to see her gone," said coach Jim Wolfsmith. "We came to rely on her to do so much for us. She was a safety net and she was also an integral part of our program taking the next step. She's a left a lasting legacy."

Honorable Mention

Bartlett --Nicole Beck (Fr., IF), Concetta Lampugnano (Sr., OF), Megan Morales (So., IF)

Burlington Central -- Brittany Priest (Jr., 1B), Sam Gruner (So., C)

Cary-Grove -- Lindsay Fritz (Sr., 1B), Ellen Jesse (xx., xx)

Crystal Lake South -- Vicky Pyan (So., SS)

Dundee-Crown -- Lauren Howlett (Sr., 1B/3B)

Hampshire --Jessica Kraus (Sr., 3B), Jordan Moore (Jr., C), Kelsey Watson (Jr., 1B)

Huntley -- Alex Albanese (Jr., SS/2B), Deana Debosschere (Jr., 3B), Amanda Wisniewski (So., CF)

Jacobs -- Kara Arceneaux (Fr., P), Sara Jacobson (Fr., C/OF)

Larkin -- Sophie Sterricker (Sr., OF), Sarah McCleary (Sr., P/1B)

Prairie Ridge -- Anna Patras (So., SS), Erika Trojan (Jr., P)

South Elgin -- Caitlin Stredde (So., OF), Katelyn Stonecipher (Fr., OF)

Streamwood -- Melissa Abraham (Sr., 3B), Adrienne Pisano (Sr., C), Daniella Vida (Sr., CF)

Westminster Christian -- Katie Moeller (Fr., SS)