Scouting Mid-Suburban West softball teams

Mid-Suburban West

Barrington

Coach: Perry Peterson (17th season)

Last year: 33-4, 15-1

Graduated players: Kim Cygan, Kelsey Kuhn, Lindsey Dulla

Returning players: Colleen Shandley (Jr., IF), Kiersten Tinkoff (Jr., IF), Kristin Kuhn (Jr., C), Nora Logue Sr., OF), Kiley Dolezal (Jr., P), Liz Owen (Jr., OF), Kelsey Kazmier (So., IF-OF), Jordan Wekony (So., IF)

Newcomers: Carolyn Dacunha (Sr., OF), Courtney Blum (So., C, OF), Dana Moran (Jr., OF), Loren Krzysko (Fr., IF, OF, P).

Scouting report: With the graduation of three seniors who all had career-seasons, the Fillies look to reload. They've done that quite well over the year under coach Perry Peterson, who owns a career record of 514-116 in 17 years at Barrington. Including a year as the head coach at St. Viator, Peterson is 530-125. He has guided the Fillies to nine MSL crowns and six trips to the IHSA state finals, including five straight from 2004 to 2008. The Fillies return six starters on defense and seven in the batting order. Shandley (,447, 34 runs) returns as an all-stater, while Kuhn, Tinkoff (. 316, team-high 31 RBI) and Shandley (.446, 58 hits, 26 stolen bases, 34 runs) were all-area performers last spring. Logue provides power in the lineup as she hit 4 home runs and 9 doubles with 24 RBI last spring when the Fillies scored 189 runs and gave up 41 runs.

Conant

Coach: CathyAnn Smith (9th season)

Last year: 15-19, 7-9

Graduated players: Nichole Gross, Kristina Gluth, Dana Butler, Georgie Kutramanes, Tricia Kutramanes.

Returning players: Lauren Ambrose (Sr. OF-IF), Allie Bauch (So., IF), Briana Cavin (So. P, OF), Hannah Depa (Sr. OF), Kim Jacobson (So., C-IF), Vicki McGuire (Sr. IF), Hilary O'Donnell (Jr. IF-C), Kailee Prasbrig (Jr. P-IF), Amanda VanJacobs (Sr. OF-IF), Paige Ward (Jr. IF).

Newcomers: Miranda Cavin (Fr., C-IF), Sarah Pawlik Jr. IF), Ariel Salinas (So. IF), Lauren Wozniak (Sr., DP-IF).

Scouting report: The Cougars are excited about this season with a solid core group returning to the starting lineup and some promising new additions. Back on the mound is Briana Cavin, who had a strong rookie season averaging 10 strike outs per game and a shutout victory over Class 4A third-place finisher Fremd. "Bri worked hard in the off season and has increased her speed and movement on her pitches," Smith said. "She should help us out offensively as well. Four- year returner McGuire will hold down the corner at third and provide offense while all-conference Ambrose, who batted over .300 last season and led the team in runs scored, returns to center field. Van Jacobs and Depa will share time in the outfield and possibly some infield time. Newcomer Wozniak fills a big spot as designated hitter in the line up. Three-year starter Ward takes over at first base. Pasbrig will also see some time on the mound and will be used in the infield and outfield. "Kailee has a strong arm and can be utilized in various places defensively," Smith said. "As a pitcher she studies the batters well and has a good sense on how to hit key locations to keep batters off balance." Three-year starter O'Donnell returns in left field but will also help out behind the plate at times. Newcomer Pawlik will contribute in the middle infield as well as bring a spark to the lineup offensively. Second-year starter Jacobson returns for some action behind the plate and to provide a spark offensively. Bauch was a late addition last spring from the freshman team. "Allie really has a good sense of the game and will be a key factor in our middle infield this year," Freshman Miranda Cavin will see time behind the plate this season. "She has a great arm and a strong sense of the game as a freshman," Smith said.

Fremd

Coach: Jim Weaver (9th season)

Last year: 33-5, 13-3

Graduated players: Jessica Tackett, Casey Latal

Returning player: Lean Brottman (Sr. P), Lauren Zaworski (Sr. 2B), Kristine Werling (Sr. C-OF), Kelly Voigt (Sr., 3B), Jenny Schneider (Sr., OF), Alexa Cinquegrani (Sr., OF), Tess Dinterman (Sr., OF), Emily Janes (Sr., C-DH), Allie Gaeding (Jr., SS)

Newcomers: Jenny Whiteside (Jr., OF), Megan Horn (Jr., IF), Hailey Libert (Jr., IF), Stacey Hnytka (Jr., P-IB), Caitlin Patenuade (So., OF), Rachel Doering (So. P-OF), Megan Hubbard (So., U), Brittany Ciura (So., 1B).

Scouting report: The Vikings look primed to have another big season as they return eight of their nine starters from a team that took third-place in the Class 4A state tourney last spring. Coach Jim Weaver (207-76-1) puts Fremd's all-time strikeout leader Brottman (731) on the mound for her senior season. "We are very excited about the upcoming season," said Weaver, who has led his team to six regionals, two sectionals and two supersectional wins the last eight years. "We have a ton of experience returning " The Vikings have four four-year starters and three three-year starters. All-area performers from a year ago are Brottman (21-4, 0.73 ERA), Schneider (. 430, 25 RBI), Voigt (. 370, 20 RBI) and Zaworski (. 366, 26 RBI), who will play for Loyola University next spring. Werling batted. 315 last spring and stole 24 bases while Cinquegrani hit 340 with 6 doubles. Dinterman (. 278), who plays volleyball and basketball, also provided solid defense in center field.

Hoffman Estates

Coach: Lindsey Hamma (6th season)

Last year: 12-18, 6-10

Graduated players: Kaitlyn Kliver, Colleen Roberts, Kaitlin Walsh (competing at Benedictine University), Alex Wulbecker (playing for Northern Illinois University)

Returning players: Mary Hacker (Sr., CF), Emily Fett (Jr., SS), Kelsey Pellus (Jr., C,1B), Emily Allan (Jr., P, OF), Taylor Mann (Jr., 1B, C), Linden Fick (So., OF)

Newcomers: Carissa Adamson (Sr., IF), Nikki Roehrig (Sr., IF, OF), Molly Mangione (Jr., P, U), Amanda Harris (So., 1B, OF), Nicole Lechowicz (So., OF/IF), Alex Tuminaro (So., IF)

Outlook: The Hawks return four starters from last year's squad. Hacker and Fick bring experience to the outfield and will most likely fill the first two spots in the lineup. "Mary and Linden constantly challenge each other, and I look forward to utilizing their quickness on the basepaths," said Hamma, a former Daily Herald Athlete of the year at Buffalo Grove High School who went on to play for Illinois and the Chicago Bandits. Pellus is back for her third year on varsity as the anchor behind the plate. "I believe the girls will definitely look to Kelsey to set the tone for each game," Hamma added. " She is a born leader and will do big things for us both offensively and defensively this year." Fett will make the switch from second base to shortstop as the leader of a very young infield. "Em has developed into a strong infielder, and I will look to her to help shape our defense," Hamma said. The coach will look to Tuminaro, Harris, Lechowicz, Mann, Adamson, and Roehrig to step up and fill the remaining spots in the lineup. "All of our newcomers are extremely coachable and are improving each day," Hamma said. "Allan and Mangione will take over the duties on the mound. Emily and Molly have been working extremely hard at hitting their spots and developing their pitches."

Schaumburg

Coach: Erin Malinowski (3rd season)

Last year's record: 20-15, 8-8

Graduated players: Missy Anderson, Brittany Hill, Sara McGinn, Caitlin Becker

Returning players: Ally Poehlmann (Sr. C), Nicole Chase (Sr., SS), Theresa McGreevy (Sr. SS), Brianne Lingl (Jr. 2B), Alexis Carravetta (Jr., CF), Shannon Giovannone (Jr. LF), Jessica Cook (Jr., RF-P), Becca Thompson (Jr. 1B, 3B), Alyssa Lancaster (So., P)

Newcomers: Rachel Kakareka (Sr., P, 1B), Amber McCoy (Jr., OF), Courtney Raschk (So. 3B, 2B)

Outlook: With nine returning varsity players, including seven returning starters, Malinowski and the Saxons are excited about this spring's outlook. "We have a lot of experience returning," the coach said. "The girls have been working really hard in the off-season and they are excited to get the season under way." Lancaster was able to get a fair amount of varsity exposure last year. "We are excited to have her as our starting pitcher," Malinowski said. "With Ally (Poehlmann, an all-area catcher who batted .431 with a team-high 50 hits) behind the plate, we are certain that the two of them will lead this team. Ally had an outstanding season last year both behind the plate and in the batter's box and has only improved for her senior year." Lingl and Chase will make a solid duo in the middle of the infield and both are expected to provide strong bats. "We have a lot of speed in the outfield between Carravetta and Giovannone," Malinowski added. McGreevy is returning for her third year on varsity at third base and the Saxons expect her to see a lot of action on the corner. Thompson has stepped up this spring and filled the hole at first base. "We are looking forward to having her as a starter for us this year," Malinowski added. Jessica Cook will see a lot of time in the outfield and also get some time on the mound. Schaumburg's three new varsity players have versatile roles. "And they have given us a lot of flexibility with our lineup," Malinowski said. "We expect them to contribute as position players as well as in the DP role."

Palatine

Coach: Jeff Manz (8th season)

Last year's record: 15-15, 8-8

Graduated players: Kelsey Griffin, Michelle Dellamaria

Returning players: Kelli Burke (Sr., OF), Danielle Boisvert (Jr., P), Melissa Serio (Sr., OF), Sam Salomone (Jr., OF), Katie Mnichowicz (Jr., IF), Joanne Jablonski (Jr., OF), Alyx Ballenger (So., C), Meaghan Deegan (Jr., 1B), Katie Scovic (Jr., IF), Chrissy Roto (Sr., P), Heather Zimmerman (Sr., 3B)

Newcomers: Barb Gutwein (Jr., IF)

Outlook: With only two players graduating from the 2009 team, Pirates coach Jeff Manz welcomes back many familiar faces for his eighth season, including pitchers Roto (right-hander) and Boisvert (left-hander). "This is the most experienced team we've had in a long time," said Manz, who has more than 150 career victories and a pair of regional titles. "We have just about every starter returning and 11 of our 12 players were on the varsity last year." Among that group is four-year varsity pitcher Roto and three-year performer Jablonski, who was an all-area freshman who batted .434 that season. Mnichowicz, Scovic and Zimmerman are also basketball players and veterans on the softball diamond. Boisvert also has experience throwing on the varsity level. Ballenger was an all-area catcher last spring as she batted .290 with 15 RBI, throwing out or picking off 21 runners. "With these kids having at least one year under their belts, and many with more, we should be a lot more confident," Manz said. "We've got a good mix of slappers and power, so we should hit better." Mnichowicz is expected to lead off with Ballenger in the No. 2 spot. "They will set the table," Manz said."And we'll look for better things from Joanne (Jablonski) who will bat third. Salomone, a two-year varsity performer, has been in the cleanup spot and already produced some big hits this spring. "We lost some players through injuries but we still have a lot of experience," Manz said.