Professional outlook helps Conant's Bauch become a Bandit

Conant coach Cathyann Smith always saw the tremendous drive in Allie Bauch to be the best she could be on the softball diamond.

As a three-sport athlete in high school, Bauch always acted as a pro whether it was playing basketball, softball or volleyball.

Now, she is truly a pro.

Bauch was recently one of four players to agree to a contract with the Chicago Bandits after participating in an open tryout on Sunday, May 29, at The Ballpark at Rosemont.

“I was so excited for her when she said was trying out,” Smith said. “I told her she should. She just has the heart that is above and beyond anything I've seen.”

Smith saw it first hand when Bauch was a three-time all player for Conant.

“She came into our program and played her heart out and then did the same at Illinois,” Smith said. “She just has what it takes, that something extra.”

In four years with the Illini, Bauch recorded a .315-plus batting average in her final three seasons, including a junior campaign in which she hit .399 with 12 home runs and 38 RBI. Bauch also showcased his durability as a utility infielder, starting in 202 of 207 career games.

Hoffman Estates coach Lindsey Hamma played a key role in Bauch's entry into Illinois' program.

“Lindsey has supported Allie throughout her career,” Smith said. “She helped get word to the Illinois coaches about Allie.”

Bauch scored a run in her first game with the Bandits last week.

“You just love watching her enthusiasm and love of the game,” Smith said. “She is an inspiration to younger kids and people her age. It's all of her hard work but she is so humble about everything and that what makes her special.

“She was always super special to us at Conant. She goes down in our books as a hall of famer. I can't say enough words about how happy we are for her. She has worked for this and deserves it.”

Bauch was among the 38 players who participated in a variety of skills tests, situations and scrimmages.

Then she became one of nine who was chosen for further evaluation and took part in the Bandits' exhibition game against the Indiana Slammers that night.

The field was then cut to four and officially finalized the next day.

Bauch was chosen with South Carolina's Alaynie Page, Central Florida's Samantha McCloskey and Indiana's Kelsey Dotson.

“We are pleased to welcome these four players to the Bandits family,” said Bandits general manager Aaron Moore. “Throughout their tryouts, they showed the talent and mentality that met our standards. We look forward to seeing what they can bring to our team in 2016.”

Moore said the tryouts have always been more than a publicity thing and this year was no different.

“The players we are keeping fill roles for us, both immediately and in the long-term,” he said. “And it's also nice adding local talent like we did in Allie Bauch. These four are going to get a chance to contribute to our 2016 team.”

Bauch, originally from Elk Grove, joins Danielle Zymkowitz as current Illinois alums on the Bandits roster.

Women's softball

College of DuPage freshman Marjorie Sloan (Elk Grove) was named District III NJCAA all-region IV first team. Sloan batted .392 with 74 hits, 26 RBI, 64 runs, 16 doubles, 6 triples and 5 home runs for the Chaparrals (35-20) this spring.

Women's volleyball

Senior Meghan Falsey (Schaumburg) was named the 2016 Saint Xavier University Female Athlete of the Year. She finished her four-year volleyball career by earning the No. 11 spot in kill leaders for the Cougars with 1,152. She was also a member of the 2015 Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference all-conference team. Falsey was a three-time CCAC All-Academic team honoree and twice named an NAIA Daktronics Scholar Athlete.

She graduated in May with a bachelor's degree in nursing.

Golf commitment

Buffalo Grove senior Emily Carnes will be attending Washington University in St. Louis, where she will play golf.

Carnes was an all-area catcher for the Buffalo Grove softball team as a junior.

She was recognized as the school's 'Female Athlete of the Year'.

The multi-talented Carnes also performs in the school's band which performs in Europe this month.

College baseball

Former Buffalo Grove baseball standout Jimmy Pinakidis recently wrapped up a strong finish to his collegiate baseball experience at Young Harris College in northern Georgia.

Pinakidis spent his first two years at Upper Iowa University but played sparingly in his sophomore before transfering to the NCAA Division II school.

The lefty-hitting Pinakidis, who ranks among the top five hitters in Buffalo Grove history, finished his last two years with the Mountain Lions with a batting average of .253 with 9 doubles, 2 homers and 27 RBI.

Women's track

Senior Angela Herrmann (Conant) was part of Illinois Wesleyan's national championship team.

The Titans claimed the Division III outdoor track & field title at Walston-Hoover Stadium on campus of Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa on May 28.

The Titans, who were also national outdoor champs in 2008 and 2010, earned 42 points in the championships and topped Baldwin-Wallace at 41. Washington U. placed third with 39.

Hermann was a member of the Titans' 4x100 relay team this season.

She was one of nine women from the Titans squad selected to the all-Midwest region team for the outdoor season.

Baseball

Butler University senior Bobby Napoleon, who earned a marketing degree, was honored as the Bulldogs' “Most Valuable Teammate.” A left-handed pitcher, the St. Viator product had 17 appearances with 9 starts. His ERA stood at 4.76 in the Big East Conference.

Boys lacrosse

Schaumburg senior Tyler Klima and junior Michael Anzelmo were selected to the second team of the all-state team. Anzelmo and Klima led the state in scoring with 80 and 74 goals, respectively.