Leyden softball duo will stay in blue

Senior softball players Morgan Maize and April Markowski have worn blue and gold uniforms for Leyden the last four years.

They’ll both keep the blue for college but will add a new color.

Maize will sport the blue and red of DePaul while Markowski will don the blue and white of Eastern Illinois. Both have signed letters of intent.

“It has been an absolute privilege to coach both Morgan and April during their tenure at Leyden,” said Eagles coach Kurt Schuett. “ Personally, I believe both of these student-athletes have found homes away from home.”

One reason Maize chose DePaul was its location.

“I chose DePaul because it was close, but not too close, to home,” she said. “I can go home whenever I want or need to, and my parents and family can come see me play. This was important to me since my father has coached and watched me play since I was little.”

She also liked the idea of being in the city.

“I like the chance to experience it every day,” she said. “And I like the balance DePaul has between school and softball. Academics is the most important, but they encourage success in softball, too.

“Lastly, I like the honesty and respect coach (Eugene) Lenti demonstrates. He always says the 10 best players play, regardless of what year they are.”

Maize was one of the best players as a junior in 2011, enjoying a dream season with a school-record 18 home runs and 77 RBI. She also was one of the top pitchers (24-5) in the area and earned a 4-1 victory over Mid-Suburban League champion Conant in the regional championship, hitting a pair of 2-run homers.

“Morgan feels extremely comfortable with coach Lenti,” Schuett said. “She says that he reminds her of another coach she has had, and the fact that she is going to be part of a national contending team is exhilarating.

“Morgan really likes Cacciatore Stadium, and I’m quite certain she will bounce many home run balls off both the academic and dormitory buildings beyond the fence line there.”

Markowski served as an offensive catalyst for Leyden last season, hitting .360 with a .444 on-base percentage and .553 slugging percentage. She scored 37 runs with 28 RBI and 11 stolen bases. She had 41 putouts in the outfield and 56 assists.

Schuett said Markowski really felt comfortable with the Eastern Illinois program when she attended its camps and clinics.

“She feels coaches (Kim) Schuette and (Jason) Dorey provide a ‘family atmosphere’ that she finds so appealing, especially since she will be a little distance from home,” Schuett said. “She also is excited to be part of a conference championship program that boasted the lowest combined ERA in NCAA Division-I softball.”

Markowski also liked the campus and said she really enjoyed her future teammates.

“They’re awesome,” said Markowski, who plans to major in psychology and minor in criminology. “They’re just like family and I felt like I fit right in with them. It’s also close enough where my parents can come to games. They’ve never missed one in high school.”

Maize and Markowski will be joining other local stars at colleges.

Maize stayed with Kristin Verdun (Coal City all-state pitcher in 2010) at an overnight trip to DePaul this fall while Markowski knows former Elk Grove standout Stephanie Maday and is excited to be her teammate at Eastern. “The word on the street is that DePaul and Eastern are scheduling each other in the future,” said Schuett. “So I can’t wait to bring our Leyden softball program to watch these superstars climb the collegiate ranks.”

And he can’t wait to have them on his team for one more spring in 2012.

Faces in the Crowd

Valparaiso senior bowler Natalie Cortese (Hoffman Estates) was recognized as one of Sports Illustrated’s “Faces in the Crowd” for the magazine’s Dec. 5 issue.

Cortese has led the Crusaders to a tremendous start to the season, as Valpo has won two of its first three tournaments.

Valpo captured its first official tournament title in program history at the season-opening Greater Ozark Invitational.

Cortese led the Crusaders with a 204.8 average, earning all-tournament team honors.

The All-American also stood out on the first day of the tournament, rolling strikes on 18 out of 19 attempts in a baker win (special-format scoring) over Sam Houston State.

She also led Valpo as it captured its own Crusader Classic, posting a 201.0 average.

On the season, Cortese owns an average of 200.7 to pace the Crusaders, who are 30-8 overall through three tournaments, including a 15-5 mark against top-10 competition.

Cortese and the rest of the Valpo team are on an extended break from competition, but will return to the lanes Jan. 13-15 at the Mid-Winter Invitational in Jonesboro, Ark.

Women’s basketball

University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) freshman Abby Kirchoff (Barrington) came off the bench to score 21 points — a school record for a freshman.

After five games, Kirchoff led the Mountain Lions in scoring twice and is averaging 13.8 points per game. The best season average for a freshman at UCCS is 12.8 by Jennine Sauter in the 2002-03 season.

Men’s basketball

Sophomore Kyle Miklasz (Hersey) helped Roosevelt University win its first game of the season against Ashford Trinity when he scored a team-high 12 points. He then scored 10 points in their second win over Indiana NW University.

Sophomore Mykyta Cheshko (Palatine) is averaging 8.8 points for Roosevelt in its first five games.

Ÿ Augustana’s Brian DeSimone (Buffalo Grove) hit the basket that tied the game for the last time at 61-61 before Washington (Mo.) posted a 71-68 victory over the Vikings in the championship game of the Lopata Classic in St. Louis.

It was the first loss for Division III No. 1 ranked Augustana (5-1). DeSimone finished with 15 points.

It was Alan Aboona (St. Viator) who scored on the ensuing possession to give the Bears the lead for good. Washington has been the Division III national champions twice in the past four years.

Dylan Richter (Stevenson) went 5-of-8 from 3-point range and led the Bears (5-2) with 27 points.

Football

Patrick Derbak (Schaumburg) just concluded a successful season at Valparaiso University.

The sophomore linebacker led the Crusaders with 87 tackles (6.5 for loss), including 48 solos. He had 1 interception and was the third-leading tackler and the only underclassman in the top 15 in the Pioneer League. He was voted to the All-Pioneer League Team.

Feeder Basketball

The Hersey Junior Huskies Boys Basketball tryouts will be this Saturday and Sunday at the Hersey High School Fieldhouse. On Saturday: Sixth Grade: 1-2:45 p.m.; seventh grade: 3-4:45 p.m. and eighth grade: 5-6:45 p.m.

On Sunday, all levels will be from 1-2:30 p.m. Teams will be chosen upon completion of the Sunday practice. For information: jrhuskiesbasketball@gmail.com

Ÿ Please email Sports Notes items to jleusch@dailyherald.com or FAX to (847) 427-1173.