Vogt excited about ECC's turnaround

What a difference a year can make, especially in the world of junior college sports. That revolving door that shuttles athletes in and out of junior colleges every two years sometimes brings in limited talent, and sometimes brings in a plethora of capable athletes.

The 2008 softball season at Elgin Community College would fall into the latter of those two.

With nine freshmen on her 13-player roster, Spartans' coach Anne Vogt enters her eighth season at ECC with renewed enthusiasm after last year's squad struggled to a 2-24 record, which came on the heels of a 29-6 campaign in 2006.

"I'm very excited," said Vogt. "Every year you hope for the best at the beginning but this team has shown a little more attack mentality so far. It's been fun at practice."

Vogt secured the services of Larkin graduate Jessica Schue to anchor what could be a four-pitcher staff. Schue's entrance into the college ranks gives the Spartans a bona fide winner. The left-hander, who was a two-time Daily Herald All-Area selection last year, was 14-13 with a 1.88 ERA and 188 strikeouts for Larkin last season. She won 36 games in her varsity career at Larkin.

Last year, the Spartans had to rely on Larkin grad Stephanie Esterino to virtually pitch every game. This season, Esterino can return to a more comfortable infield position and fill in as needed, along with freshman Melissa Idstein of Larkin and freshman lefty Casey Holtz of St. Charles East.

"Steph had to throw every game last year," said Vogt. "This will be such a turnaround from that. We've been on a rollercoaster with our pitching since I came back in 2003 but Schue can be a dominant pitcher at this level. That's what we're hoping for. We've had some pitchers in the past like Julie Filson, who have had success and went on to have success at a four-year school. Hopefully that will happen for Schue. I think she'll do well here and move on to a four-year school and have success."

Schue's batterymate will be no stranger either, as Larkin product Danielle Bowen, an honorable mention choice to last year's all-area team, will be behind the plate for the Spartans.

"Danielle has a phenomenal relationship with Schue," Vogt said.

Vogt has been impressed with all of her freshmen so far, especially outfielder Kylee McMahon, another Larkin product who was honorable mention all-area last year.

"McMahon is such a great addition," said Vogt. "It's fun watching her play. She hustles so much."

Vogt said she's got a battle going for several starting positions. Included in the mix are sophomores Esterino, Colleen Rivers of Streamwood (2B), Sarah Kane of Larkin (OF) and Ketley Scaffidi of Elgin (C/3B), along with freshmen Megan McGovern of St. Charles East (OF), Rachel Esterino of Larkin (1B/OF), Amanda Price of Hampshire (C/OF), and Kristin Rukhaberlen of Hoffman Estates (SS), who was the MVP of ECC's women's soccer team this past fall.

"They're really duking it out," said Vogt. "There's no set lineup yet. There's a battle."

The Spartans, who likely battle it out with McHenry for the ISCC title, are scheduled to open the season at Rock Valley next Tuesday and their home opener is slated to be against Morton's club team on March 27.