Tri-Cities All-Area softball team

Melissa Barber | Geneva

With her .337 average and 29 hits, the Vikings' sophomore shortstop was among the top hitters in the area. Her 16 doubles topped everybody. She also was far and away the biggest RBI threat in the middle of the Vikings' lineup. "She has had a nice year," Geneva coach Greg Dierks said. "Melissa has got 21 RBI on the year, and no one else has 10. She has clearly been our (primary) run-producer."

Stephanie Becker | West Aurora

Nobody dominated on the mound like this senior Mississippi State-bound pitcher. In 156 innings, Becker fanned 264 hitters. That brought her career total to 818, most in West Aurora history. She also has the most wins in school history after going 12-8 this year with a 1.11 ERA. "She's developed from the thrower to a pitcher," West Aurora coach Dave Zine said. "She's made the adjustments along the way. She works really hard."

Amanda Ciran | St. Charles North

The sophomore is 10-5 with a 1.21 ERA. She struck out 84 batters in 87 innings and only walked nine. Offensively, she batted .268 with 7 doubles, 2 home runs, 16 RBI and 15 runs. "Solid, complete pitcher, knows when to mix it up and always gets the job done, defensively and offensively," St. Charles North coach April Stary said. "Poised and confident and in control when she steps on the mound. Ton of power... can and does hit to gaps for extra bases, true power hitter. Great kid and has nowhere to go but up in the next few years."

Courtney Classen | Rosary

The senior split time at catcher and right field. She led Rosary in many offensive categories, including her .397 batting average. Also led the team in RBI and was second in runs for Rosary squad that won its first regional in 15 years. "Courtney is dynamic, a team player, with a tremendous amount of power," Rosary coach Tara Tatersall said. "She was made captain by the team and she did a fantastic job stepping up as a leader."

Jess Lubic | Kaneland

The sophomore turned in a consistent season in the middle of the Kaneland lineup, batting .394 with 16 RBI, 2 home runs, 3 triples and 6 doubles. She also was equally important in the field, where she started the year at first base and then switched to shortstop and played the final 15 to 20 games there. "She's settled in at shortstop and really did a nice job," Kaneland coach Ken Neahring said.

Gabby Moe, St. Charles East Moe, a junior, came into her own in the circle, leading the Saints to second place in the Upstate Eight with a 14-6 record. She struck out 95 batters and had a 1.92 ERA. "She's an unshakable type pitcher," St. Charles East coach Kelly Barnett said. "She doesn't get rattled. She comes out fired up every time. She just gets it done. She's a true competitor."

RaeAnne Payleitner | St. Charles East

Only a sophomore, Payleitner, the Saints' catcher, slammed 7 home runs to lead the area in that category. She also hit .349 and had 22 RBI, giving the Saints a consistent threat in their cleanup spot all season. Payleitner was just as tough behind the plate, gunning down runner after runner and making it hard for opponents to run. "It's really fun to watch her," St. Charles East coach Kelly Barnett said. "You can see her wheels turning inside (her mind when she's at the plate)."

Casey Regnier | Aurora Central

The Chargers' top pitcher didn't give the opponents much this year, finishing with an 0.80 ERA and 103 strikeouts in just 88 innings. In conference games she sported an 0.91 ERA. Regnier also was a threat at the plate batting .311 with 9 triples, 1 home run and 5 doubles. The three-sport athlete was one of three captains. "She is selfless when it comes to her teammates," Aurora Central coach Claude Ainsorth said.

Rebecca Reinbold | St. Charles East

The Saints captain played shortstop, batted third in the order and finished with strong numbers across the board, including a .357 batting average, 25 runs and 20 RBI. "What a senior season she's had," St. Charles East coach Kelly Barnett said. "You can never keep Rebecca down for an entire game. A pitcher might make her look silly the first at-bat, the second at-bat but watch out she will get a hit the third at-bat. She's got the desire and just keeps fighting. Awesome kid, awesome leader."

Sara Rose | Kaneland

A four-year starter who made All-State last year, the senior finished the year at third base for the 27-9 Knights. She batted .308 with 25 runs, 12 doubles and an on-base percentage over .400. "She's shown a lot of leadership and a lot of patience at bat and taking walks," Kaneland coach Ken Neahring said. "She has been a settling influence especially the last two or three weeks."

Taylor Russell | St. Charles North

The team MVP for a St. Charles North team that won Upstate Eight and regional championships, this sophomore third baseman led the North Stars with a .374 batting average and was second with a .580 slugging percentage. She also had team highs with 9 doubles and 11 stolen bases while scoring 30 runs and driving in 26. "Three-spot hitter that defines that offensive role, solid power hitter that goes deep into gaps but can also drop a bunt down and let it out," St. Charles North coach April Stary said. "Smart at third base, she has a solid arm, near flawless defense all year. Fantastic kid, great player."

Alexa Schofield | Batavia

Schofield stepped up offensively and defensively in her final year at Batavia. At shortstop, Schofield was in the middle of the Bulldogs' vastly improved defense, while at the plate she hit her way into the No. 3 spot in the lineup with her .368 average and ranked among the area leaders in steals and runs. "She's done an outstanding job defensively and at the plate," Batavia coach Leon Pedraza said. "She still remains our top hitter, aggressive, makes contact."

Ashley Seering | St. Charles North

The center fielder moved from third base. She was one of the best power hitters around with her .620 slugging percentage, 4 home runs, 7 doubles and 26 RBI. She also batted .362 and scored 24 runs. "Monster arm can easily throw to any place on the field from center field, covers a massive amount of ground in the outfield," North Stars coach April Stary said. "Quick hands and power to spare... is coming on very strong."

Delani Vest | Kaneland

Only a freshman, Vest quickly made an impact. As the leadoff hitter, she hit .385 with a .418 on-base percentage, 2 home runs and 14 stolen bases. On the mound she went 17-6 with a 0.50 ERA. "I don't know who else around had that combination," Kaneland coach Ken Neahring said of her pitching and hitting success. "She was so consistent."

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>All-Area Teams</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Cook County</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=298406"><B>Softball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298405">Softball captain: Nikki Goranson</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298398"><B>Baseball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298397">Baseball captain: Jon Carlson</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298403"><B>Girls soccer</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298402">Soccer captains: Laura Mayer, Mary Kubiuk</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298401"><B>Boys volleyball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298400">Volleyball captain: Chris Falknor</a></li> </ul> <h2>DuPage County</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=298388"><B>Softball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298392">Softball captain: Hannah Santora</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298388"><B>Baseball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298582">Baseball captain: Jack DeAno</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298391"><B>Girls soccer</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298394">Soccer captain: Leah Fortune</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298390"><B>Boys volleyball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298393">Volleyball captain: Joe Kelly</a></li> </ul> <h2>Fox Valley</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=298676"><B>Softball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298362">Softball captain: Kimberly Pierce</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298660"><B>Baseball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298356">Baseball co-captain: Brian Brauer</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298355">Baseball co-captain: Craig Lipp</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298658"><B>Girls soccer</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298361">Soccer captain: Cori Wronski</a></li> </ul> <h2>Lake County</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=298410"><B>Softball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298408">Softball captain: Olivia Duehr</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298407"><B>Baseball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298396">Baseball captain: Chas Evans</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298404"><B>Girls soccer</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298409">Soccer captain: Courtney Levy</a></li> </ul> <h2>Tri-Cities</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=298385"><B>Softball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298379">Softball captain:Stephanie Becker</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298383"><B>Baseball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298380">Baseball captain: Matt Milroy</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298382"><B>Girls soccer</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298378">Soccer captain: Emily Hinchman</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>