Lake County All-Area softball team

Allie Anttila | Antioch

That's Allie, emphasis on "All." The junior shortstop does it all on the diamond. Her regular-season numbers included 9 homers, 30 RBI, 32 runs scored, 10 stolen bases and a .340 batting average. "Allie is a superb softball player and shortstop," coach Jeff Tylka said. A repeat all-area player who excelled during the basketball season, as well, Anttila slugged at a .670 clip during the regular season for the North Suburban Conference champs. "She has the ability to bunt for a hit," Tylka said, "or drive the ball 250 feet on any pitch."

Alex Booker Warren |

The junior outfielder made her presence known the first month of the season - and then she played a game. Despite not getting playing-time until the third week of April because of off-season knee surgery, Booker batted a team-best .413 (26 hits). That, after she gave a verbal commitment to the University of Illinois. "Alex will always be a vocal presence both on and off the field," coach Carri McGahan said. "Throughout her injury in the early part of the season, she never wanted to miss a practice because of therapy and worked hard to rehabilitate her knee to full strength extremely rapidly. Alex was a continual (supporter) for her teammates throughout the time she spent in the dugout and was rarely negative about her recovery." An all-area player since her freshman year, Booker was quickly playing like her old self once she returned to action. She went 3-for-3 in the Blue Devils' regional loss to Palatine, with McGahan saying her leadoff batter "led the team and uplifted their spirits in numerous moments."

Carly Borders | Grayslake North

Borders' defense bordered on the ridiculous. "She played a phenomenal first base for us," coach Molly Jones said. The slick-fielding senior lefty could throw it, too. Borders struck out 62 batters in 64 innings pitched. She also slugged from the left side, batting .330 with 11 doubles, 4 home runs and 32 RBI. She was the Knights' lone all-Fox Valley Conference selection. "Carly was our strongest player overall," Jones said. "She had a great bat and her defensive game was top notch." Borders will continue her softball career at the University of Findlay in Ohio. Said Jones: "I expect her to be very successful in college."

Brie Brugioni | Grant

She rolls strikes and throws them, too. One of the best bowlers in the state, the junior righty hit her target plenty of times again this spring. Despite missing Grant's first 10 games with a dislocated knee, she struck out 139 batters (9.5 per game) and posted a 1.09 ERA in helping the Bulldogs win 18 games. She nearly helped them pull off a regional-final upset against powerful Barrington, which won 1-0. Opponents hit just .151 against her. "I think she pitches much smarter," coach Mike Dolezal said of his three-year varsity pitcher. "She's not just trying to blow people away. She vacillated speeds a lot better. She outsmarted a lot of hitters." Brugioni improved as a hitter, too, clubbing 4 home runs, including one in the regional semifinals against Buffalo Grove. She also had 3 triples and 20 RBI. "She's become a good hitter," Dolezal said. "Her hitting is definitely part of her game."

Anna Christensen | Vernon Hills

Coach Paul Weber says her new nickname is "MIT." Which has nothing to do with the senior being skilled with a first baseman's mitt. Christensen, who'll attend MIT, played both shortstop and first base this season. "Anna will play anywhere to help the team win," Weber said. "She has been a two-year starter and plays both positions well. In addition to great defense, her hitting for average and power has developed through hard work both on and off the field. Anna is capable of playing any infield or outfield position well, and her clutch hitting has seen a huge improvement this year." Christensen took a .313 batting average with 21 RBI into Wednesday's sectional semifinal against Marengo. Her lone homer was a grand slam. She was a recipient of Vernon Hills' student/athlete award. "She is a great teammate," Weber said, "and works well with the younger players to improve their game."

Sarah Clauser | Warren

It's Sarah with an "h," and it's to remember because of the "ah." The junior's play at shortstop elicited plenty of "oohs" and "aahs." Coach Carri McGahan said her three-year varsity starter made "phenomenal" defensive plays this season. "She has matured and grown tremendously at shortstop," McGahan said. "She made several unbelievable plays and become a confident presence on the field over the past three years I have coached her." Clauser can clobber the softball, too. She hit .387 with a team-leading 36 hits (7 doubles) and 20 runs scored. She also had a .411 on-base percentage and struck out only six times. "Sarah is also a relaxed hitter who hit very well with 2 strikes," McGahan said. "Her offensive statistics reflected the way she handled herself at the plate."

Shannon Cooley | Lakes

Cooley kept her cool. "As a sophomore, you're not always going to get the call on balls and strikes," coach Bill Hamill said. "She stayed composed, and that's something she didn't always do last year (as a freshman on varsity). She learned to let it go." Up went the win total. The Eagles won a school-record 23 games, with Cooley leading the way in the circle. She posted a 17-6 record with a 1.93 ERA, averaging 8 strikeouts per game. She beat Lake Zurich and allowed only 2 earned runs against Antioch - the two best teams in Lake County this season. In the regional final against Grayslake Central, she didn't allow an earned run in the Eagles' 1-0 loss. "She became better at hitting her spots," Hamill said. "And she developed a changeup." Cooley showed maturity as a hitter, too, batting .378.

Annelise Docel | Stevenson

The senior catcher took what coach Larry Friedrichs called a "one-year hiatus" from softball her sophomore year to focus on volleyball. One thing for certain is, Docel can drive a ball. A two-time all-area player, she batted .337 with 5 extra-base hits, a .381 on-base percentage and 17 RBI, all while backstopping the Patriots to 20 wins and playing in all 33 of their games. "In addition to bringing along the Patriots' young pitching staff over the last two seasons," Friedrichs said, "she became a consistent offensive power, as she was among the team leaders in every offensive category."

OIivia Duehr | Antioch

There's the obvious "O" in Olivia and the less-obvious "HR" in Duehr. Yes, she can hit. Pitch, too. The captain of all-area team in her first full season on varsity, Duehr was dominant both in the circle and in the batter's box for a team that sported a 31-2 record after her 3-hit shutout in the Sequoits' 1-0, 10-inning win over Johnsburg in the Class 3A Richmond-Burton regional final. The sophomore's pitching numbers were equally as impressive as her hitting numbers. She pitched 126 innings during the regular season, going 16-1 with a 0.50 ERA and 197 strikeouts (just 18 walks). At the plate, she batted .462 with her 48 hits including 8 homers, 7 doubles and 1 triple. She also had 37 RBI and 12 stolen bases. "She was the leader of the pitching staff and a phenomenal hitter," coach Jeff Tylka said. "Olivia is one of the hardest-working girls I have ever been around."

Genny Duffy | Stevenson

Last year she pitched. This year she ditched the chance to pitch. A member of the Patriots' pitching staff last spring, the junior made the transition to third base and was a fixture, patrolling the bag for all 33 of her team's games. When she wasn't hitting the first baseman's glove with a strong throw, Duffy was hitting the ball. Hard. She batted .350 with 8 doubles, a team-best 4 triples and 23 RBI. She also boasted a .402 on-base percentage and slugged at a .505 clip. "In addition to playing solid defense, Genny was also a top offensive performer," coach Larry Friedrichs said. "(She was) a longball threat every time she stepped in the batter's box."

Abbie Goetsch | Grayslake Central

A lot of people look up to the senior first baseman - and not because she stands 6 feet 2 and hits a lot of home runs. She won the Rams' sportsmanship award. "She respects her teammates and her coaches," coach Abbey Tadelman said of her all-Fox Valley Conference pick. "She's really a good kid." Good hitter, too. Goetsch belted 10 home runs along with 3 doubles, while hitting .311 with 29 RBI in helping the Rams win a regional championship. The repeat all-area selection had a pair of 2-homer games. "Abbie has been a powerhouse these last two seasons," Tadelman said. "She's fundamentally sound. She's intimidating up at the plate. She understands the game more than most kids at this level." Goetsch, who also played for Tadelman on the sophomore team two years ago, will next play softball for Concordia University in Wisconsin. "I'm really going to miss her," Tadelman said. "A lot."

Paige Goldberg | Lake Zurich

She's a catcher. Problem is, the Bears have a catcher - Division I recruit Coryn Schmit. So coach Becky Lewandowski says she turned Goldberg into a right fielder at the beginning of the season. "She has a laser as an arm," Lewandowski said. The coach has good foresight. Goldberg led off for the Bears all season and heading into Thursday's sectional semifinal against Barrington was batting .394 with 50 hits, 22 runs scored and 14 RBI. "You know she'll on (base)," Lewandowski said. "She's solid, quick, and she's gotten smarter as the year has gone on."

C.J. Hill | Grant

Her last at-bat in a Grant uniform about said it all. With Barrington pitcher Kim Cygan one strike away from throwing a perfect game against the Bulldogs in the Mundelein regional final, Hill delivered. She drove an outside pitch to right-center for a double off the top of the fence, missing a game-tying homer by inches. She was clutch like that throughout her four years on varsity. When asked about her after Grant's 1-0 loss, coach Mike Dolezal took a deep breath, smiled and quipped, "You got an hour?" He always had time to praise his catcher. "She's everything," Dolezal said. "She's our best leader, she's inspirational, and she takes charge of the team." Hill hit .350 with 5 homers, 4 triples, 3 doubles, 27 RBI and only 6 strikeouts all season. Against Barrington, besides her booming double - Grant's lone hit - she made a pair of great catches on foul balls. "She had key hits in multiple games to get us going," Dolezal said. "She not only does it with her bat, she does it defensively." Hill will continue her softball career at Aurora University.

Kayla Hurd | Warren

"K. Hurd" suffices, as the junior racked up plenty of K's in the circle. She had 19-strikeouts efforts against Mundelein and Lake Forest and had other games when she fanned 15, 14 and 13 batters. "She became the most-improved player, by far, this season," coach Carri McGahan said. "Kayla worked very hard in the weight room and in the gym to increase her strength and endurance, and it was visible throughout the season. Kayla always has a positive attitude toward the game and her teammates. She is a strong leader both in the classroom and on the field." A first baseman when she's not pitching, Hurd also hit .323 with 8 doubles and a pair of 2-run homers. In 100 innings pitched, she totaled 167 strikeouts and a 1.97 ERA. Opponents hit just .156 against her. "Kayla has become much more confident in herself," McGahan said, "both on the mound and in the batter's box."

Megan Kubacki | Vernon Hills

"Coach Kubacki?" It's catchy from an alliteration standpoint, and, besides, coach Paul Weber thinks his senior third baseman and four-year varsity starter would be a natural. "She should coach in the future," Weber said, "as her grasp of the game is special and her knowledge extensive." Kubacki was hitting .341 with a .439 on-base percentage and 22 RBI after the Cougars' regional-final win over Wauconda. Weber describes her as "athletic, consistent, solid, game knowledgeable and the mortar of our team." The coach also calls the repeat all-area selection and co-captain, naturally, a coach's dream. Said Weber: "She has been a clutch performer both on offense and defense."

Adriana Longobardi | Vernon Hills

She's a four-year starting catcher and "cheerleader of our team," coach Paul Weber said. Of course. Longobardi is a varsity cheerleader. During the spring, though, she's the one who draws cheers thanks to her exploits on the diamond. Heading into the Cougars' sectional semifinal against Marengo, the co-captain affectionately known as "A" was hitting .354 with a .439 on-base percentage. He power numbers included 4 homers and 4 doubles, and she had 25 RBI. "Besides great hitting and clutch hitting, she has defensively done an outstanding job working with our young pitching staff," Weber said. " 'A' is a hard worker and great example for her team and a great teammate. She has a great future as a leader and an athlete."

Kate Martino | Wauconda

The 5-foot-4 junior could play small ball, naturally, but also long ball. Her offensive numbers included a .407 batting average, .520 on-base percentage and .577 slugging percentage. "And then she would lay down that devastating push bunt down the first-base line when we needed it," coach Tim Rennels said of his leadoff hitter, three-year varsity starter and offensive catalyst for a team that won 23 games. Martino's 32 hits included 3 homers, 3 doubles and 2 triples. The shortstop also walked 19 times and hit an impressive .565 with runners in scoring position. "She would just make things happen on the base paths," Rennels said. "She has a dangerous game on the base paths. She's just gotten better and better."

Megan Mattera | Lake Zurich

You might not recognize the face. That's because when the sophomore pitches, she sports a catcher's mask, sunglasses and black reflective patches under her eyes. Know what's scarier? The numbers Mattera put up in her first varsity season, both in the circle and in the batter's box. The pitcher had a 19-5 record with 204 strikeouts and a 1.05 ERA after throwing her fifth shutout in the Bears' regional-final win over Deerfield. At the plate, her numbers included a .316 batting average with 6 homers, 5 triples, 5 doubles and 19 RBI. "She's pitched great, and as the season has gone on, she's gotten stronger and stronger," coach Becky Lewandowski said. "She has lots of power." Expect Mattera to get better, too. "She's one of the hardest workers," Lewandowski said. "She lives and breathes softball."

Allie Micucci | Stevenson

Big outs - she got them. Big hits - she got them, too. While the junior anchored the pitching staff, winning 13 games and striking out 101 batters in 139 innings with a 2.22 ERA, she also came up with 5 game-winning RBI. "Allie seemed to come up big when the game was on the line," coach Larry Friedrichs said. Micucci, who hit even when she wasn't pitching, led the Patriots in nearly every major offensive category, including batting average (.430), on-base percentage (. 447), slugging percentage (. 590), hits (43), RBI (29) and extra-base hits (14, including 13 doubles). She also belted a home run over the Lake Forest scoreboard - an estimated 220 feet. Friedrichs calls the three-year varsity player a "fierce competitor."

Ashley Mysliwiec | Antioch

Opposing pitchers tried to be careful with the veteran slugger this spring. It didn't help. While Mysliwiec's home-run total dropped from a school-record 12 last season to 4 during the regular season, the senior still hit a hefty .406 (41 hits) with 16 extra-base hits, including 11 doubles. The second baseman/pitcher also knocked in 31 runs, had a .478 on-base percentage and a .653 slugging percentage. "Ashley has been a great hitter for the Sequoits all year," coach Jeff Tylka said. "She has anchored down the four spot in the lineup and managed to drive the ball to all fields, even when they were not giving her too much to hit." A repeat all-area player, Mysliwiec starred in the circle, too. She went 11-1 with a 0.80 ERA, striking out 91 batters in 79 innings pitched. She'll continue her softball career at NAIA Iowa Wesleyan College.

Cara Nance | Wauconda

Her offensive numbers slipped slightly from her freshman year, but the Bulldogs couldn't complain about the catcher's production. The sophomore and repeat all-area choice still batted .346 with her 31 hits including 8 doubles, 1 triple and 1 homer to go along with 20 RBI. She also boasted a .404 on-base percentage. Nance almost always put the ball in play. "She's a good contact hitter," coach Tim Rennels said of his No. 3 hitter. "She hits the ball hard."

Coryn Schmit | Lake Zurich

She's not loud and her offensive numbers didn't scream. "But without her?" coach Becky Lewandowski said. "Seriously." Without Schmit, who signed the University of Illinois-Chicago before the season, it's likely the Bears don't win a third straight North Suburban Lake Division championship and a regional title to boot. Heading into Lake Zurich's sectional semifinal against Barrington, the senior catcher and three-year all-area player was hitting .358 with her 39 hits including 8 doubles, 3 triples and 3 homers. She also had 23 RBI. "She was voted team MVP and rightfully so," Lewandowski said. Since her sophomore year, Schmit has called her own games. "She's smart," Lewandowski said. "She knows the game of softball, and she really is a leader. She's not the loudest kid, but she definitely leads by example."

Samie Seamon | Antioch

She stands 5 feet 2, which would suggest she wouldn't be "Slammin' Samie." But then you then look at the junior outfielder's power numbers. On a team loaded with sluggers, she can slug with the best of them. Seamon socked 13 doubles, 5 triples and 3 homers in helping the Sequoits win 29 games during the regular season. "Sam managed to have a slugging percentage over .700 (. 722) by driving the ball to all fields," coach Jeff Tylka said. Antioch's leadoff hitter, Seamon batted .426 (46 hits) with 38 runs scored and 9 stolen bases. Tylka calls her an "exceptional outfielder who is also the catalyst" of his team's offense and an "outstanding softball player with a great attitude."

Erin Sweeney | Lake Zurich

Pay no attention to all the "E's" in "Sweeney." The junior rarely makes "E's." She committed only a handful of errors during the regular season. "Defensively, she's a wall,"coach Becky Lewandowski said of her junior third baseman. "Stats don't show what she has in terms of talent there." Pay to attention to Sweeney's offensive stats. They prove she can hit a softball. She carried a .395 batting average into the Barrington sectional, with her 34 hits including 3 homers, 4 doubles and 1 triple. She also had 16 RBI and a team-leading 11 stolen bases. In a game against Stevenson, she had a 2-run homer and 2-run double in the same inning. "She's a great bunter and a good hitter," Lewandowski said. "That combination is fantastic for her. She's just a solid player."

Rachel Tack Carmel | Catholic

With only two seniors on the roster, the Corsairs relied on their three-year varsity ace, and far more often than not, the junior delivered. She pitched the Corsairs to 11 victories, striking out 246 batters and posting a 1.98 ERA. "Rachel's won-lost record is not indicative of just how important she was to our team this year," coach Jason Raymond said of his three-year all-area player. "Having a very young and inexperienced roster, Rachel's tremendous pitching and experience on the mound allowed our team to be competitive, learn the game and grow as a team."

Hannah Vandevoorde | Antioch

By the time it takes to say "Hannah Vandevoorde," the sophomore catcher can fire a strike down to second base. She threw out 6-of-8 runners trying to steal against her this season. "She has one of the quickest releases in the area," coach Jeff Tylka said. "She has been a major part of our success, and her hitting and defense make her a top catcher." Heading into the sectional, Vandevoorde was hititng .405 (34 hits) with 5 doubles and 14 RBI. Tylka is thrilled she'll be around for a while. Said the coach: "Hannah will be a major attribute to the success of Antioch softball for another two years."

<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=298676"><B>Softball</B></a></li> <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=298379">Softball captain:Stephanie Becker</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298383"><B>Baseball</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298380">Baseball captain: Matt Milroy</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298382"><B>Girls soccer</B></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=298378">Soccer captain: Emily Hinchman</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>