York’s Kroll is on a roll

Tessa Kroll knows all about setting high standards for herself, and flirting with perfection.

The York senior scored a 35 on her ACT and 2,180 on her SAT, and carries a 4.7 grade point average. She’s already been accepted to Brown, Cornell and MIT and is waiting to hear back from Princeton and Yale.

Last Thursday, Kroll was darn near perfection on the softball pitching mound.

In a week where Glenbard North’s Lilly Fecho and Downers Grove North’s Elaine Heflin both threw perfect games, Kroll’s performance may have been the most impressive. The tall Dukes’ righty no-hit No. 1 Elk Grove, out-dueling Michigan State-bound Dani Goranson 2-0 last Thursday.

“Pretty impressive,” York coach Drew McGuire said. “Tessa pitched her heart out.”

Kroll might not have the notoriety or Division I scholarship in her back pocket, or pitch for an elite program like a Goranson or a Fecho. But opponents know it will be a grind when she’s pitching.

Kroll struck out 14 to beat Downers Grove North last spring; a week ago she went toe-to-toe with Fecho, losing 4-3 in extra innings. Heading into this week, Kroll’s only given up 1 earned run in 4 starts. Her defense, led by shortstop Ellen Barry, was air-tight in the Elk Grove win.

“She’s been pitching great all year,” McGuire said. “The biggest thing in that game is we had our defense to back her up.”

First-year coach McGuire has somewhat limited Kroll’s starts this year. She has had arm problems in the past, but his reasoning is more to see what else he has pitching-wise. McGuire did say she will be on the mound three times this week, including a Wednesday matchup with Leyden and DePaul-bound Morgan Maize. McGuire also credited Alyssa Johnson as “carrying us offensively.”

“When Tessa’s pitching,” McGuire said, “we can compete with anybody.”

Neuqua’s O’Brien a ‘game-changer”:

Neuqua Valley has had a host of talented softball players come through its growing program the last few years, from Jenna Marsalli to Colleen Hohman to Leigh Nebendahl to current senior Kat Widup.

Pencil in Jamie O’Brien next on that list.

The dynamic sophomore was hitting .630 heading into last weekend with a double, 2 triples, 8 runs scored and a team-high 10 runs batted in. Super fast and a natural lefty with good intuition on the bases, O’Brien can hit it with authority and is slotted in the No. 3 hole in Neuqua’s lineup. Loyola has already been out to watch O’Brien and other schools have shown interest.

“She’s a game-changer,” Neuqua coach Melissa Wilson said. “She has such potential. It’s exciting.”

O’Brien, who played last summer for the Homer Hawks and is moving over to the Bulls/Sox Academy team this year, does not pitch for her travel team. Middle infield or third base is her more likely college position, but O’Brien is Neuqua’s No. 1 pitcher.

O’Brien was roughed up in her first start this spring against Benet, but has been strong since. She beat Andrew and has 36 strikeouts in 32 innings. O’Brien got a cup of coffee on Neuqua’s varsity toward the end of last season, but spent most of her freshman year on a good Wildcats JV team.

“She’s got better and better every game,” Wilson said. “She has great command and demeanor on the mound and she is getting more and more confident, which is huge. She battles and is not afraid.”

Waubonsie’s Minahan keeps even keel:

It’s rare for her, but Waubonsie Valley’s Amanda Minahan got caught reaching at a pitch during Game 2 of a doubleheader Saturday with Glenbard West, grounding out feebly.

She didn’t pout. She didn’t throw a bat or take the at bat onto the field and commit and error.

And next time up, in an even bigger situation, Minahan drilled a first-pitch, bases-clearing gapper to key a Warriors rally. Minahan’s coach could appreciate that.

“It doesn’t get into her head, a bad at-bat or play,” Warriors coach Alyson Kelley said. “She’s not up and down emotionally. She’s just an amazing kid and an amazing player.”

An amazing kid, with a lethal bat and sure glove to boot.

Minahan opened eyes last year as a sophomore, hitting .523 with 5 homers, 15 doubles, 6 triples and 25 RBI. This spring Minahan is batting .485 with 5 doubles, 2 triples, a homer and 15 RBI with 15 runs scored.

She’s one of a great crop of shortstops in the greater Naperville area, a group that includes Naperville Central’s Kelsey Gonzalez, Metea Valley’s Anna Petersen and Benet’s Marissa Panko.

Minahan, though, plays primarily outfield in the summer with Bill Conroy and the Beverly Bandits, who connected her with South Alabama where Minahan is verbally committed.

Still plenty of high school softball left, though, which Kelley is grateful for. Minahan is the catalyst for a streaking Warriors team that’s won six in a row. A big week lies ahead, including a Wednesday date against Batavia and big thumper Katie Ryan.

“It’s never a dull moment with Amanda,” Kelley said. “Any time we can get her up to bat, you know the game is not over.”