Scouting the 2022 softball season in the NW suburbs

As another softball season in the Northwest suburbs kicks up, a few interesting side notes exist.

Elk Grove hall of fame coach Ken Grams is 12 wins shy of becoming only the second Illinois softball coach to win 1,000 games.

Defending champion Barrington is going for an unprecedented 16 Mid-Suburban League titles and Fremd senior speedster Kayln McCarthy is only 13 stolen bases away from the school record of 110.

Among the top returners for MSL West power Barrington are Jr. IF Ainsley Muno (. 505, 44 RBI), sophomore catcher Emma Kavanagh (. 491., 17 HR, 37 RBI), Jr. P-IF Allie Goodwin (. 446, 15 homers) and Sr. IF Brynn Nevers (. 427, 27 RBI). Hall of fame coach Perry Peterson's (875-195) team was 33-2 and 14-0 last season. The Fillies have won 1,158 games overall, second most in IHSA history.

Among the top returners for sixth-year Fremd coach Josh Teschner (86-37) are Arizona State recruit McCarthy (Sr, OF); Elaina Kraus (Sr, C), Gina Dudley (Sr, P, Rhodes College commit), Ava Jordan (Sr, OF), Christina Byrne (Sr, U), Chiara D'Antonio (Jr, 2B), Ryanne Goodwin (Jr, U) and Anna Poss (Jr, SS), who belted 4 home runs for the Vikes (23-9 and 12-2 last year with a sectional title game appearance).

Palatine (14-12 and 7-7) welcomes back 10 players, including senior center fielder Caitlin Williams (Sr. CF, Oshkosh-Wisconsin recruit), Kelly Beach (Sr, P/1B), Kayla Courtney (Sr, 2B), Lauren Dettloff (Jr, OF), Nicole Marceau (Jr, IF), Priscilla Miramontes (Jr, OF), Payton Westphal (Jr, IF), Grace Adame (So, C), Angela Delgado (So, 0F) and Lindsay Plourde (So, OF). "Our team this year is young, athletic, and we are ready to compete with anyone," said coach Nicole Capalbo.

Fourth-year Conant coach Allie Bauch's Cougars (10-16, 5-9) won a regional last season. Only three players graduated.

"Our players are enthusiastic, embrace the team concept and are working hard," she said.

Four-year varsity starters and all-conference Janessa Gonzalez and Natalie Spaitis (pitcher) are back along with Mikayla Nowicki (all conference), Elena Rufollo, Riya Patel, Ashleigh Simmons, Liv Mickelson, and Jaina Halman.

"I've been impressed with their work ethic and positive attitudes and believe we're going to be a very competitive team." Bauch said.

Hoffman Estates returns co-captains Gracie Velazquez and Ryan Cloherty, "We will look to Gracie to anchor the outfield in center as well as to ignite our offense likely from the lead off spot," said Hawks coach Lindsey Hamma. "Ryan is ready to challenge batters; she has worked extremely hard in the off season, and I am excited to watch her continue to grow as the season progresses." Freshmen Alexa Jocic and Bella Velazquez also could have an impact as well.

Schaumburg coach Ellen Abreu has eight returning players including Marisa Vodicka (SR) 3B/SS/C, Jordan Karson (SR) 1B/OF, Kim Kolodziej (SR) C/OF, Morgan Miller (SR) P/2B, Abbie Greenberg (SR) 3B/1B, Payton Dolecki (SR) OF, Brianna Linnemann (JR) P/2B, and Madi Dolecki (SO) SS/3B. "We will be competitive at the plate and provide solid defense," Areu said. "We are excited to get this season underway."

Defending MSL East champion Prospect (18-11, 10-5) returns all-conference players Carley Jagiello, Ashley Simon, Riley Depa and MSL East Player of the Year Erin Pinter. "We have set high expectations for ourselves and have been working hard," said Knights coach Krystina Mackowiak. Ashley Simon and Riley Depa will be on the mound with Rachael Sasanuma and Georgianna Crudele behind the plate. "The competition in the MSL will be tough," said Mackowiak, who returns most of her players from last season. "But if we take one game at a time the sky is the limit for this talented group of girls."

Second-year Buffalo Grove coach Caitlyn Carpenter guided the Bison (18-10, 8-7) to a regional championship. Returners are Oklahoma State recruit Angelina Craig (Sr. INF/OF,), Alyssa Fontanetta (Jr. INF/OF), Hannah Hull (Jr. INF/C all conference), JJ Jakosalem (Jr. C/INF), Jenna Kosnoff (Jr. INF/P, all conference), Kayla O'Malley (Soph. OF), Kate Ryan (Jr. P), Kim Stuercke (Sr. all-conference INF/C) and Grace Veller (Sr. OF).

"The leadership from Grace Veller and Alyssa Fontanetta will be key to our success as we continue to grow as a team," Carpenter said. "The return of Angelina Craig (did not play as a junior) is a huge addition to both our offensive and defensive lineup."

Hersey 15-year coach Molly Freeman returns starters at all but one position. Returning seniors are Valerie Allen, Avery Meier and Shaily Patel while Livia Christopher and Brooke Scharlau were all-conference last spring. "It will be an exciting season of new players mixing with returning players to compete for the MSL East Championship," said Freeman, who will have Sabrina DiVito and Easha Patel on the mound.

Rolling Meadows coach Tony Wolanski begins his 19th season with 236 wins, just nine away from tying the program record of 245. The Mustangs (6-22, 2-13) return key players Sam McQueen (Jr. P, 3B), Sophia Olson (Jr., OF/2B), Sophia Cobos (So. 3B-OF) and Mia Pilipauskas (So. P, SS). Wolanski returns seven varsity players and 4 starters. Seniors Mckayla Wallis (P-OF) and Allie Soukup (2B-OF) will provide experience and leadership.

"We have a nice mix of players who have been working hard in practice," Wolanski said.

Elk Grove coach Gram's (988-393) Grenadiers are coming off a 23-10 season (10-6 in the MSL East). Returning players include seniors Ava Engwall, Bella Reid, juniors Sabina Lehnert and Megan Malartsik and sophomores Ariana Trausch and Lexi Goeringer. "We lost a good group of experienced players from the last few seasons," Grams said. "Gaining experience will be important, especially on the mound. The good news is that we have four candidates. Each of them has developed quite well over time."

Wheeling (2-18, 0-16 last season) will be led on the mound by Teresa Petzold and Julia Konrath and with freshman Ava Shrake returning when she is healthy. Coach Mike Caringella welcomes back eight four-year varsity players. Niki Niznik injured her knee in basketball and is rehabbing. Three freshmen will also contribute. "The girls are working hard and improving every day," Caringella said. "The goal is to improve as the season goes on."

Maine South (19-5, 7-3 last spring with regional title) lost a lot through graduation but coach Emmy Pasier (350-251-7 in 19 seasons) looks for her 20th team to be competitive. Kayln Fahy will split her time pitching and in the outfield "We will add 10 more seniors, a junior and a sophomore," Pasier said. "These girls have been working for years to play for the Maine South varsity. Our goal is to work hard and we believe we have an opportunity to be conference contenders (In the CSL South)."

Key returners for Maine West are (Sr. OF Kayla Byerly), (Sr. DH/3B Madison Swanson) and (Soph. 2B Leiah Cardona) as sixth-year Warriors coach Jim Dvorak (53-46) fields a young team (10-12, 8-2 in the CSL North last year) that is looking to improve. "There are five freshmen who will have an opportunity to make an immediate impact," Dvorak said. "We will be fun to watch and should get better as we find the ideal mix with the young talent."

Len Labonar takes over at Maine East which was 9-13 and 4-6 (CSL North) last season. "I am still getting to know the team, but very excited for this opportunity," he said. ""We will be a mix of strong senior leadership and talented younger players." Returning sophomore and 2021 all-conference pitcher Jayden Coppe will be on the mound with help from freshman pitcher Emma Asien. Senior Natasha Czajkowski, a 2021 all-conference player, returns along with seniors Jess Coppe (Beloit College recruit) and Grace Asien join their sisters.

Ninth-year St. Viator coach John Scotillo welcomes back captains Allison Ardito (Sr., SS, St. Norbert recruit) and junior Brooke Cwick (Jr. 3B, DePaul recruit and 2021 Lions MVP) Freshman Grace Gerdes-Grabowy and junior returnee Suzanne Klopp will do most of the pitching. "We may be a young team but we are excited about the potential that all our girls bring to the season and beyond," said Scotillo, whose team was 6-17 and 1-11 in the ESCC.