DuPage County All-Area Softball Team
Brooke Andresen, Downers Grove South
The left-handed-hitting junior with a smooth stroke put up some staggering numbers for the Mustangs this season. A third-year varsity player, the center fielder hit an area-best .514 with 55 hits, 35 runs scored, 15 doubles, 9 homers and 48 RBI. Struck out only 6 times all year. Committed to Loyola. "She had the single best season that I can remember a Downers Grove South girl having," coach Ron Havelka said. "She brought to the team enthusiasm for the game."
More Coverage Links All-Area captain Jill Trzaska
Laura Canulli, Benet
Redwings senior shortstop beat opponents with her bat, steady glove and baserunning. Four-year starter and Seton Hall recruit capped off a marvelous career, hitting .394 with 41 hits, 29 runs scored, 31 RBI and an area-leading 18 doubles despite getting pitched around on several occasions in the middle of a young Benet lineup. "When we needed a clutch hit," Benet coach Jerry Schilf said, "she was it. She can single-handedly take control of a game."
Lynsey Ciezki, Lake Park
A constant for the Lancers since her all-area freshman year, the shortstop and leadoff hitter took on the mantle of leader as one of only two senior starters on the Class 4A semifinalists. The DePaul recruit hit a team-high .479 with 58 hits, scored 41 runs and also slugged the first 2 homers of her career. "Every time she shows up for practice and every game, I know what to expect, and so do her teammates," coach Cray Allen said. "She will be the best teammate you've ever had."
Mary Connolly, West Chicago
Burst onto the scene as a freshman, leading the Wildcats to their second-ever DuPage Valley Conference title with her pitching and big bat. Cool under pressure, Connolly went 23-7 with a 0.66 ERA and area-high 295 strikeouts. Threw six shutouts in conference games. At the plate hit .360 with 8 homers and 23 RBI batting cleanup. "I don't think I was prepared for the impact she had immediately. She made a believer out of me right away," West Chicago coach Jim Schaudt said.
Kaelene Curry, Downers Grove South
Catalyst of a high-scoring Mustangs' offense in the No. 2 hole, the senior hit .448 with a .528 on-base percentage. Moved over from third base to play a steady shortstop. A threat bunting and slapping, the two-year varsity starter who will play at the University of Missouri-Kansas City scored a team-high 35 runs. "She set the table for us," Mustangs coach Ron Havelka said. "She really kind of came into her own."
Linnea Detrick, West Chicago
Cat quick with a rifle arm behind the plate, a daring baserunner and a money hitter at the plate, the four-year varsity catcher was the heart and soul of the DuPage Valley Conference champions. Threw out 18 of 23 runners. Scored winning run in one game against DVC runner-up Naperville Central and drove in game-winner in the rematch. Illinois recruit hit .366 with team-high 41 runs scored and 20 RBI. "She's become more vocal this season," coach Jim Schaudt said. "All parts of her game are solid."
Alyssa Gianatasio, Glenbard East
A four-year varsity starter and four years all-conference in the DuPage Valley Conference, the Rams shortstop put up big numbers in her final season. Hit .387 with 9 homers, 12 doubles, 3 triples and 34 RBI and scored an area-leading 40 runs. "She was by far our most consistent player as far as attitude and performance," Glenbard East coach Valerie Pinzker said.
Gina Knutson, York
The Dukes' leader from behind the plate, the junior catcher called her own pitches and with her strong arm and quickness took away opponents' running game. No slouch with the bat, hitting .411 with 30 runs scored, 8 homers and was second on the team with 29 RBI out of the leadoff spot. Strong at blocking pitches in her second year as varsity catcher. "She uses her body behind the plate like a hockey goalie," York coach Tom Babyar said. "She's tough."
Kathryn Lux, Glenbard West
Disciplined hitter who batted No. 3 in a potent Hilltoppers' lineup that averaged more than 6 runs per game. The Notre Dame-bound junior hit .406 with a team-leading 39 hits, scored 28 runs and drove in 23 more for a Glenbard West team that went 22-7 and won a regional championship. "She just played the game of softball the way it's supposed to be played," coach Mary McGrane said.
Virginia McAndrews, WW South
After winning a JV conference title as a junior, McAndrews stepped in for graduated strikeout queen Laura Tarnawa. The Tigers didn't miss a beat on the mound. Went 11-9 with a 0.69 ERA and 206 strikeouts. Was even stingier during the conference season. No-hit Wheaton North and beat defending DVC champ Glenbard North twice. "She kept us in every game," Tigers coach Denise McCance said. "She pitched well even in games we lost."
Lauren McNulty, Downers Grove North
For never hitting a home run her first two seasons, McNulty made up for lost time. Followed up a 9-home run, all-state junior season with 8 homers, including a walk-off grand slam to beat rival Downers Grove South. Third baseman hit .440 with 22 runs scored and 30 RBI. Committed to Butler. "She's just so passionate, a team leader and hard worker," coach Mark Magro said. "Not just an athlete, but a good leader."
Jenna Marsalli, Neuqua Valley
Already one of the best hitters in the area -- and only a sophomore. After hitting .411 as a freshman, the Wildcats shortstop followed up with a .429 average and area-leading 11 home runs, 36 runs scored and 35 RBI. Not just a big bat, but clutch. "It always seemed like when the team needed something to happen, she would come up with it," Neuqua Valley coach Michelle Schmidt said. "She was a situational spark."
Missy Mazur, Lake Park
A bulldog on the mound or at the plate, Lake Park coach Cray Allen called her "the ultimate offensive weapon." Hit .447 with 51 hits, 29 runs scored and 30 RBI. Also slugged 12 doubles and 7 triples. Perhaps underrated on the mound, the Iowa-bound senior went 23-4 with a 1.72 ERA and 202 strikeouts. "Whether it's a meaningless second game of a nonconference doubleheader in March or the state championship game, she's going to fight you to the death," Allen said.
Melissa Noland, Glenbard West
Senior outfielder enjoyed breakout season for the Hilltoppers, cleaning up in the No. 4 spot in a potent lineup. Hit .356 with a team-leading 32 RBI. Second on the team with 36 hits. Of that total 20 hits were for extra bases, including team-high 12 triples and 6 doubles. First-year coach Mary McGrane "turned her loose" and Noland constantly hit the ball hard. "It didn't matter what pitchers were throwing at her," McGrane said. "She was in a zone all year."
Lizzy Ploen, Naperville Central
Hard-nosed senior shortstop set the tone for regional champion and DVC runners-up on the bases, in the field and at the plate. Hit .375, scored 18 runs and drove in 14. The Boston College recruit and four-year varsity player didn't make an out in two regional games, homering in the semifinals and tripling in the Redhawks' first run in the championship game. "She just goes 100 percent all the time," coach Andy Nussbaum said. "She does a lot of things for us that don't show up in the box scores."
Hannah Santora, Glenbard North
The heart and soul of a young Panthers team, the junior pitcher led Glenbard North to an upset of No. 1 seed Bartlett in the regional championship game. Earlier in the season, shut out Oak Park 1-0 and dueled Naperville Central ace Natalie Wunderlich for 12 innings in a 2-1 loss. Moved into the leadoff spot in the lineup after the second conference game and provided instant spark. Had double and 3 RBI in regional win over St. Charles East. "We fed off of her energy," coach Josh Sanew said.
Amber Schwarzinger, Fenton
It was a record-breaking season for a core group of Bison seniors, and it started with their pitcher's right arm. A co-captain, Schwarzinger went 20-13 with a 1.86 ERA and 222 strikeouts. Fenton finished with a school-record 24 wins, won its first conference title in 31 years and the school's first championship. "She was driven this year," coach Dave Mello said. "She came up with her best stuff in our biggest games."
Nikki Simpson, Glenbard South
Granddaughter of Chicago Cubs great Billy Williams, Simpson was speedy sparkplug for aggressive Raiders offense. Stole area-leading 30 bases while hitting team-high .381. Scored 32 runs with 6 doubles and 7 triples. Also a tremendous center fielder, the Illinois recruit has a sixth sense to back up bases and the athletic ability to make the spectacular catch. But biggest impact is on the bases. "We score runs as Nikki gets on base," said coach Julie Fonda. "When she's on first, it's almost like giving up a triple."
Jill Trzaska, Glenbard South
The 2008 Daily Herald All-Area Softball team captain, Trzaska has dominated opponents on the mound while leading Glenbard South to the state tournament for the second time in school history. Shattered her own single-season school strikeout record (247 and counting) and also set Glenbard South's career mark. Has thrown four no-hitters and given up a total of 6 earned runs while going 20-2 with a 0.28 ERA. Will play at Cornell College in Iowa. "Jill has surpassed all expectations this year and been an incredible leader," coach Julie Fonda said.
Natalie Wunderlich, Naperville Central
After splitting time in the circle last year, the Redhawks junior made a quantum leap to become one of the best pitchers in the area. Threw 10 shutouts, including an 11-strikeout gem in the sectional semifinals against No. 1 seed Plainfield Central. Went 20-6 with 237 strikeouts. Also led the Redhawks in runs batted in and game-winning RBI. "Her improvement has been dramatic," coach Andy Nussbaum said. "She has a little bit of an edge, that I'm not going to lose."
Honorable mention
Sarah Adam (jr., SS, Naperville North); Colleen Drennan (so., C, Lisle); Jess Fijolek (sr., C, Glenbard South); Paige Gerstner (sr., 3B-OF, Glenbard East); Erin Graham (jr., 3B, Naperville Central); Lauren Hansberger (jr., SS, Timothy Christian); Jayme Hefler (jr., OF, Glenbard West); Colleen Hohman (so., P-1B, Neuqua Valley); Paula Louise (sr., C-3B, Hinsdale South); Tarah McShane (fr., 3B-C, Driscoll); Lara Mangialardi (so., P, Montini); Marissa Mersch (fr., OF, Downers Grove South); Sasha Molina (sr., C, Fenton); Alexis Munaco (jr., C, Lake Park); Jenny Nelson (so., SS, Glenbard North); Kelly Payne (jr., C-3B, Hinsdale South); Melissa Rauch (sr., OF-P, Glenbard West); Chrissie Rovtar (jr., 1B, West Chicago); Adrianne Sieben (sr., 1B-OF, Wheaton North); Carly Willert (so., 3B, Lake Park).
Fantasy All-Area lineup card
1. Lynsey Ciezki (Lake Park) SS
2. Nikki Simpson (Glenbard South) CF
3. Brooke Andresen (Downers South) LF
4. Jenna Marsalli (Neuqua Valley) DP
***Jill Trzaska (Glenbard South) P
5. Lauren McNulty (Downers North) 3B
6. Laura Canulli (Benet) 2B
7. Missy Mazur (Lake Park) 1B
8. Melissa Noland (Glenbard West) RF
9. Linnea Detrick (West Chicago) C
***flex
Top leadoff hitters:
Lynsey Ciezki (sr., SS, Lake Park); Marissa Mersch (fr., OF, Downers Grove South); Lauren Podgorski (jr., RF, Glenbard South); Gina Knutson (jr., C, York); Erin Graham (jr., 3B, Naperville Central)
Top power hitters:
Jenna Marsalli (so., SS, Neuqua Valley); Lauren McNulty (sr., 3B, Downers Grove North); Alyssa Gianatasio (sr., SS, Glenbard East); Brooke Andresen (jr., OF, Downers Grove South); Mary Connolly (fr., P, West Chicago)
Top defensive players:
Linnea Detrick (sr., C, West Chicago); Gina Knutson (jr., C, York); Laura Canulli (sr., SS, Benet); Lynsey Ciezki (sr., SS, Lake Park); Lizzy Ploen (sr., SS, Naperville Central); Nikki Simpson (sr., CF, Glenbard South)
Top strikeout pitchers:
Mary Connolly (fr., West Chicago); Natalie Wunderlich (jr., Naperville Central); Jill Trzaska (sr., Glenbard South); Virginia McAndrews (sr., WW South); Amber Schwarzinger (sr., Fenton); Hannah Santora (jr., Glenbard North)
The winners
Conference champions:
Glenbard South, West Chicago, Fenton, Downers Grove South, Hinsdale South
Regional champions:
Fenton, Glenbard North, Glenbard South, Glenbard West, Lake Park, Montini, Naperville Central, Timothy Christian, West Chicago
Sectional champions:
Glenbard South, Lake Park
Supersectional champion:
Glenbard South, Lake Park
Top coaching jobs:
Cray Allen (Lake Park); Jim Schaudt (West Chicago); Julie Fonda (Glenbard South); Andy Nussbaum (Naperville Central); Dave Mello (Fenton)
Teams to watch in 2009:
Downers Grove South; Lake Park; Naperville Central; Neuqua Valley; West Chicago
-- Joshua Welge