Tri-Cities All-Area softball team
By John Lemon
jlemon@dailyherald.com
Amanda Ciran,
St. Charles North
After years of sharing time in the circle, Ciran took over the top spot and dominated this spring with a 23-1 record and 1.11 ERA heading into the Class 4A state tournament Friday night. Struck out 149 hitters. The Upstate Eight Conference River pitcher of the year and two-time All-Area selection also helped herself at the plate with a .326 average, 6 home runs and 23 RBI. In her four years at St. Charles North she owns a 56-10 record and 417 strikeouts. Will play college softball at Loyola. “She was dominant all season in the circle and was also a threat at the plate,” North Stars coach Tom Poulin said. “She has worked so hard over the years and truly deserves all that she has received because she has earned it all.”
Chelsey Frieders,
Rosary
Rosary put is share of runs on the board and this senior third baseman/catcher/left fielder and right fielder was in the middle of a lot of that damage. Rosary’s cleanup hitter came up 91 times and delivered 41 hits for a .451 batting average. With 8 doubles and a home run she slugged a team-best .636. Her 31 RBI also led the Royals. Selected to the Suburban Christian Blue Division all-conference team for second straight year. She did all that despite getting off to a .220 start in early April before closing the year on fire. “Chelsea truly had another great season especially when you consider we asked a little bit more from her defensively,” Rosary coach John Kazmierczak said. “Down the stretch at the end of the season she turned in perhaps some of the best defensive work at third base, showing her persistence and working to improve herself and keeping her teammates in the game. I think her greatest attribute though is that she is just a super kid to coach and one that every coach would love to have on a team. She is always asking what can I do to get better.”
Kelly McCaffrey,
Geneva
After splitting time pitching throughout her Geneva career, this senior stepped into the lead role and wound up breaking the Vikings’ all-time record with 21 wins. Finished 21-11 with a 2.20 ERA and 172 strikeouts in 204 innings. Earned all-conference honors and team MVP. No-hit Waubonsie Valley. Also got off to a hot start at the plate and finished with a .284 average, 2 homers and 19 RBI. “Kelly had the type of season on the mound that we needed to be successful,” Geneva coach Greg Dierks said. “There were plenty of games where we struggled offensively as a group and we won because she shut down the other team’s offensive attack. Her success on the mound got most of the attention but her bat carried us early in the season when some others were finding their groove.”
RaeAnne Payleitner,
St. Charles East
This senior made the move from catcher to first base this year and kept hitting home runs at a school record clip. After slugging 7 homers as a sophomore and 7 more as a junior, Payleitner blasted 12 this year for 26 in her career. A three-time All-Area player, Payleitner will play college softball at West Point. She finished this year with a .404 batting average with 9 doubles and those 12 homers for a .856 slugging percentage. She drove in 43 runs and also walked 18 times giving her a .504 on-base percentage. “It was nice for Rae Anne to bounce back from the injury she sustained during basketball,” Saints coach Kelly Horan said. “She truly is a field general.”
Andrea Potts,
Kaneland
Kaneland found itself in its share of shootouts this spring, and the Knights could count on this senior first baseman to put up crooked numbers on the scoreboard. Potts, a unanimous selection to the Northern Illinois Big 12 East All-Conference team, hit .439 with 18 doubles, 9 home runs and 42 RBI. Her power bat will find a home in college next year when Potts plays for Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. “The numbers say a lot,” Kaneland coach Brian Willis said. “She is just a good, down to earth kid who wants to be successful.”
Sydney Russell,
St. Charles North
Moved from the No. 3 spot to the leadoff role this year and responded by igniting the North Stars’ offense with a .427 average. Two-time All-Area selection and also an All-Area basketball player, earned Upstate Eight all-conference honors. Hit her first home run to lead off St. Charles North’s regional championship victory over Lake Park. Only made 2 errors this year at second base and will play college softball at the University of Indianapolis. “Gets on base any way possible ... doubles, singles, bunts, walks,” North Stars coach Tom Poulin said. “Is a vocal leader in the infield and plays her position very well. Great athlete who knows the game inside and out. Very intelligent baserunner and will do whatever the team needs her to do to be successful. She has also been a great behind the scenes leader/captain on a daily basis for us.”
Taylor Russell,
St. Charles North
Followed up a blistering junior year when she hit .519 by batting .459 as a senior with 7 home runs and 44 RBI. A four year-starter, 3-year team captain, Russell earned the Upstate Eight Conference River hitter of the year. She leaves St. Charles North to play softball at the University of Indianapolis with 188 career hits, 12 home runs and 136 RBI with 2 games to go at state. And all that time she played outstanding defense at third base with only 5 errors this year in almost 100 chances. “She has had an incredible year, and career, for us,” North Stars coach Tom Poulin said. “Taylor can hit for average, behind runners, has the power to go deep, speed to beat out bunts and steal bases. Defensively she is exceptional. Taylor has an incredibly high softball IQ and really is another assistant coach out there. To put it simply, I have not seen a better softball player this season.”
Katie Ryan,
Batavia
In her first year playing varsity softball, all this sophomore center fielder did was put herself among the best power hitters the state has seen. Ryan slugged 18 home runs, which tied the most in state history entering this season. In 110 at-bats she finished with those 18 homers plus 4 doubles, 4 triples, 42 RBI and 39 runs to be named Upstate Eight All-Conference. “Katie had a standout rookie season,” Batavia coach Ashley Szymski said. “She plays hard and swings the bat even harder. She is incredibly athletic and I believe she will continue to have success in her softball career.”
Ashley Seering,
St. Charles North
Seering stepped into the cleanup spot and blistered the ball to the tune of a .468 average, 9 doubles, 6 triples and 6 home runs for an .820 slugging percentage. Drove in 43 runs. The all-Upstate Eight Conference performer and 2-time All-Area selection will play college softball at IUPUI. “Carries a big stick and has a cannon for an arm,” North Stars coach Tom Poulin said. “What impressed me most about her production was her patience at the plate. She did not see many good pitches to hit, but she worked the count in her favor and made the most out of the situation when the pitcher had to pitch to her. To hit for such a high average and still hit home runs and drive in runs tells you a lot about her abilities. She was also a serious threat to throw out runners at first, third and home ... have not seen a player with a stronger arm. Ashley has had a great attitude, putting the team first and doing whatever is necessary to help us win games.”
Elena Wright,
Geneva
This Upstate Eight all-conference selection led Geneva with 11 doubles, 2 homers, 32 RBI and a .547 slugging percentage and was second with a .385 batting average. The junior was versatile in the field spending time at shortstop, third base and left field for the 25-11 Vikings. “Elena had a very strong offensive and defensive season for us,” Geneva coach Greg Dierks said. “She worked very hard in the off-season to improve her skills and to strengthen herself physically, as well. Her hard work paid off as she led us in many offensive categories and she played in every game this season.”
2011 Softball All-area roster
Player School Pos. Yr.
*Amanda Ciran St. Charles North P Sr.
Chelsey Frieders Rosary 3B/C Sr.
Kellly McCaffrey Geneva P Sr.
RaeAnne Payleitner St. Charles East C/1B Sr.
Andrea Potts Kaneland 1B Sr.
Sydney Russell St. Charles North 2B Sr.
Taylor Russell St. Charles North 3B Sr.
Katie Ryan Batavia OF So.
Ashley Seering St. Charles North OF Sr.
Elena Wright Geneva 3B/SS/OF Jr.
Second team
Player School Pos. Yr.
Casey Basic St. Charles East C Jr.
Natalie Capone St. Charles North SS Sr.
Loren Cihlar St. Charles North OF Sr.
Annie Korth St. Charles North C Sr.
Christine Lynam Batavia 3B/C Sr.
Brooke Nelson Batavia P/1B Sr.
Lexi Perez St. Charles East SS So.
Brenda Rocha Rosary SS Sr.
Kirsten Searcy Geneva 1B/3B So.
Rilee Vest Kaneland C Sr.
* — Honorary captain
Special mention
Emily Dorjath (sr., C, Batavia); Katy Dudzinski (jr., 1B/DH, Kaneland); LaRi Mitchell (jr., OF, West Aurora); Dori Rogers (sr., SS/OF, Geneva); Bridget Weitzel (so., CF, Geneva).
Honorable mention
Dani Asquini (sr., 3B, St. Charles East); Mackenzie Astling (sr., OF, Rosary); Melissa Barber (sr., 2B, Geneva); Erin Costigan (fr., 2B, Batavia); Ali Keenum (sr., 1B, Rosary); Caitlyn Khoury (sr., 1B, St. Charles North); Katie Neubauer (jr., P/INF, Batavia); Allyson O’Herron (so., SS, Kaneland); Sabrina Rabin (fr., OF/2B, St. Charles North); Claire Stribling (jr., C, Geneva); Emily Watts (sr., P/OF, St. Charles North).
The kids can play
Top freshmen and sophomores
Katie Ryan, Batavia; Kirsten Searcy, Geneva; Lexi Perez, St. Charles East; Sabrina Rabin, St. Charles North; Bridget Weitzel, Geneva.
The winners
Conference champions
St. Charles North
Regional champions
St. Charles North
Sectional champions
St. Charles North
Supersectional champions
St. Charles North
The future
Teams to watch in 2012
Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles East
— All-area selections and capsules by John Lemon