DuPage County All-Area softball team
Brooke Andresen | Downers Grove South
In encore to her school record .514 batting average as a junior, this Loyola recruit put up big numbers again for 23-10 West Suburban Gold champs. Center fielder hit .387 with 4 homers, 29 RBI and scored 30 runs. Keen knowledge of the strike zone. "Just a wonderful team player and a great work ethic," coach Ron Havelka said.
Mary Connolly | West Chicago
DVC hitters must cringe at the thought of facing this sophomore for two more years. Followed up fantastic freshman year by going 22-4 with 0.57 ERA, area-best 259 strikeouts and 12 shutouts. Also hit .323. "Her ability to focus and concentrate on the mound is impressive," coach Emily Johnson said.
Bri DiGioia | Glenbard North
Intense, dedicated senior sets the tone for 25-8 DVC and regional champions. Has scored 14 runs with 16 RBI to go along with 8 doubles, 3 homers and a .358 average. Cat-quick behind the plate with a rifle arm and calls all the pitches. "People feed off of her," coach Josh Sanew said.
Colleen Drennan | Lisle
Lions enjoyed big turnaround from a year ago, going 27-11 and winning sectional. This junior catcher was a big reason why. Hit .400 with 8 doubles, 33 RBI and scored 29 runs. Also stole 19 bases. Threw out 4 of 7 basestealers. "She comes out every day and works hard," coach Jen Pomatto said.
Meghan Eastman | Benet
Feel-good story of the year. Plagued by physical ailments later diagnosed as Crohn's disease her junior year, this senior has come back with a bang. Is 22-4 with an 0.76 ERA, 13 shutouts and 4 no-hitters for 31-5 team. "The kind of kid you're just happy for," coach Jerry Schilf said.
Jenny Eldridge | St. Francis
Four-year varsity player and senior catcher has matured into quiet leader for a young team that that went 26-7, winning Suburban Catholic and regional titles. Hit .398 with 11 doubles, 29 runs scored and 24 RBI. Threw out 13 runners. "She's learned to control her aggressiveness," coach Ralph Remus said.
Claire Geyer | Benet
Aggressive in the outfield, aggressive on the bases - that's this senior leadoff hitter. Puts the ball in play, evidenced by a .427 average, 56 hits and 28 runs scored. Also drove in 21 runs for 31-5 team. "When she gets on base," Benet coach Jerry Schilf said, "we always win."
Jayme Hefler | Glenbard West
Among the leading hitters in DuPage County with a .537 batting average, has scored 32 runs and also stolen 27 bases. Committed to Lewis. Also an outstanding center fielder for a 22-15 team that knocked off No. 1 seed Elk Grove in regionals. "A multi-threat at the plate," coach Mary McGrane said.
Colleen Hohman | Neuqua Valley
Nobody in the area combined pitching and hitting better than this junior headed for Kansas. On the mound went 16-6 with a 0.68 ERA, 250 strikeouts, five shutouts and two no-hitters. At the plate hit .421 with 7 homers and 36 RBI. "She's improved so much from sophomore to junior year," coach Michelle Schmidt said.
Gina Knutson | York
As Knutson went, so did the 20-17 Dukes. Senior catcher committed to Delaware hit .434 with 11 doubles, 19 RBI, 38 runs scored and 13 stolen bases. Move to leadoff spot midway through year ignited Dukes. "I'm hoping our other players watched her run the bases," coach Tom Babyar said.
Courtney Makowski | Benet
Four-year starter headed for Lewis is the heart and soul of a 31-5 team that ran off 19 straight wins at one point. Hit .359 with 10 doubles, 20 runs scored and 27 RBI. Great glove at third. "She has the same attitude now that she had as a freshman - what can I do for the rest of the team to help them get better," Benet coach Jerry Schilf said.
Lara Mangialardi | Montini
Complete player led Broncos to second place in Suburban Catholic and a regional title. On the mound this junior went 19-5 with a 0.89 ERA, 202 strikeouts and 8 shutouts. Hit .407 with 33 hits, 7 doubles and 15 RBI. "She shouldered a lot of the load for us this year," coach Mike Bukovsky said.
Jenna Marsalli | Neuqua Valley
Softball junkie and three-year varsity starter swings one of the area's most lethal bats. Hit .472 with 7 homers and 39 RBI and also scored 38 runs with 8 doubles. Committed just 6 errors at shortstop. "You need a play made," Neuqua coach Michelle Schmidt said, "you want the ball hit to her. You have the bases loaded and two out, you want Jenna in the box."
Marissa Mersch | Downers Grove South
Leadoff hitter with pop, this sophomore outfielder is a hit machine. Her 56 this season give her 107 in two years. Hit .487, scored 40 runs, drove in 20 and also led Mustangs with 17 doubles and 5 homers. "One person that's already on the radar of many Division I colleges," coach Ron Havelka said.
Alexis Munaco | Lake Park
Hard-hitting senior catcher cleaned up for the Lancers in No. 4 hole. Lewis recruit hit .453 with 10 doubles, 6 homers, 41 RBI and scored 23 runs. Crowding the plate, Munaco is an intimidating presence in the batter's box. "I'd be shocked if anybody outworked her," coach Tom Mazzie said.
Samantha Rubright | Fenton
This four-year, three-sport senior accounted for 41 percent of Bison's total offense with 25 runs scored and 35 RBI to go along with a .442 average. Committed to Illinois Wesleyan. "She pushes the other kids to work harder," coach Dave Mello said, "because they don't want to let her down."
Hannah Santora | Glenbard North
The 2009 Daily Herald DuPage County All-Area softball captain, senior pitcher led the Panthers back to the top of the DVC after a one-year hiatus. Is 21-5 with a 0.52 ERA and 217 strikeouts. Will play collegiately at Kankakee Community College and Grand Valley State. "She has the trust to throw any pitch in any situation," coach Josh Sanew said.
Carly Willert | Lake Park
Few play the hot corner better than this junior. Hit .510 out of the No. 2 hole, scoring 36 runs with 53 hits and 24 RBI for the 20-15 Lancers. Defensively, said coach Tom Mazzie, "she can do things no other girls can do. Her skills are infectious and softball instincts are amazing."
Paige Wilson | Wheaton North
Hard-working sophomore shortstop on a young 21-10 Wheaton North team with a bright future. Has the ability to put the ball anywhere with the bat. Hit .493 with 6 doubles, 4 triples and 12 stolen bases. "She just loves the game, loves working at it and as a result is good at it," Falcons coach Karen Calabrese said.
Natalie Wunderlich | Naperville Central
Redhawks coach Andy Nussbaum said of this tireless worker, "in terms of the whole package, Natalie's the best pitcher I've had in 26 years." Senior going to Eastern Illinois is 18-5 with 0.48 ERA, 221 strikeouts, 7 shutouts and 3 no-hitters. "The ultimate compliment," Nussbaum said. "was when an umpire told me at one of our games, 'Your pitcher never throws it right down the middle.'"
<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=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=298383"><B>Baseball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298382"><B>Girls soccer</B></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>