Pauscher, Masnica recharge for senior seasons at Elk Grove

Elk Grove Hall of Fame softball coach Ken Grams is returning more than 100 RBI to his lineup.

From two seniors.

Sarah Pauscher and Alex Masnica led the defending Mid-Suburban East champs with a school record 60 and 44 RBI, respectively, last spring.

Pauscher also belted a school-record 19 home runs while Masnica cracked five long balls while batting .371.

"I feel fortunate," said Grams about being able to pencil in the two four-year starters for their final high school seasons. "They're good run producers. We said we put up a lot of runs last year and hopefully we can do it again, and they will be right in the middle of it."

Here is a closer look at two of the top players in the upcoming Mid-Suburban League softball season.

Sarah Pauscher: Pauscher made a big advancement from her sophomore to junior campaign. She improved in all phases of the game and put herself into the school record book by belting 20 homers.

"My goal is not to hit home runs," Pauscher said. "I just practice hitting the ball hard."

Often she didn't even get to hit the ball because she led the team in walks last year.

"A lot of time pitchers didn't want to pitch to me," she said. "I definitely want to hit the ball. I am not up there looking for walks."

And when she did bring the Elk Grove fans to their feet with her long blasts last spring, she was doing it for a special person.

"My father (Bob, who passed away from cancer last June) was a big part of my softball career," Sarah said. "Before it, he was very active. We'd go to the park with the dog, and he'd help me with my hitting. He was still playing hockey.

"He tried to get to all my games and when he was at them, it gave me a big push to make it a great season. I hit the home runs for him. When he couldn't be there, I'd have my at-bats recorded on video so he could see them at the hospital."

Bob died on a Thursday in June, and Sarah was scheduled to be in a round-robin summer softball event that weekend.

"I really didn't want to go," she said. "But my mom said 'Dad would want you to go.' "

So Sarah did participate - and it actually led to her commitment to Saint Leo University in St. Leo, Florida.

The Lions' assistant coach (Pat Affrunti) was at the round-robin, liked what he saw and the rest is history.

"Their coaching staff really attracted me to the school," Pauscher said. "I just liked how they cared about you and how they went about things. I liked how everything was run in the program.

"And they're very good. They got off to an 18-1 start and ranked No. 11 (Division II)."

Pauscher ranks among the top hitters of all time at Elk Grove.

She batted .476 last spring with a .532 on-base percentage.

She also has become a solid third baseman.

"Every day I keep learning something more about the position," Pauscher said. "They told me I would play third base at St. Leo and learn first base. I would be willing to play anywhere I get a chance to start."

She's sure made the most of chance to play softball at Elk Grove.

"I love playing for Mr. Grams," she said. "He has taught me so much since my freshman year. He has really developed my game.

"I'm hoping we can win the East again, and maybe the whole conference. The team looks good on paper. We have a lot of good younger players, too."

Alex Masnica: Masnica, also a starter in volleyball and basketball, loves to play sports, especially softball.

Just give her a position in the field, anyone, literally.

The senior played every one but pitcher last season while helping the Grens to the first MSL East crown since 2012.

She batted .371 in the cleanup spot where she delivered her 44 RBI.

"I'm probably more comfortable behind the plate or in the outfield," Masnica said. "But I try to use my ability and trust myself in any position."

Many coaches have been able to put their trust in Masnica, and she has delivered whether it's in setting a volleyball or shooting a basketball.

Until her junior year, Masnica was also playing travel soccer.

She has been playing softball since the fourth grade with the Elk Grove Heat.

"They taught me a lot of fundamentals and when I got to Elk Grove. Mr. Grams and Molly (Meyer, assistant coach) have been a big part of my analyzing the game rather than just the basics. They helped me become more adept at learning and understanding the game."

Masnica certainly understands how to manage time.

As busy as her sports schedule has been, she has always placed academics first.

She has had all A's and B's, currently wrapping up her final semester with four honors and advanced placements classes.

"It's time consuming but as I went through high school I learned to manage my time better," she said. "To be honest, it's been a little tough being in the honors and A.P. classes but I've learned about staying on top of things and making sure things get done when they are supposed to be."

Masnica could be in North Carolina a year from now but she is still considering her options. She has been offered to play softball and volleyball at Shaw University in Raleigh.

She wants to study athletic training.

Playing so many sports, I thought it would be neat to give back to other athletes and help keep them healthy," Masnica said.

With Masnica and Pauscher in the lineup, Elk Grove certainly has a healthy chance of scoring runs.

"I would say I'm a contact and power hitter," Masnica said. "When I'm at the plate, I'm thinking of the best way to hit the ball and what would be best for the team to score runs."

Masnica, Pauscher and the Grens hope to be filling up the score card with runs this spring.

"It would be really nice to go out with back-to-back MSL East championships," Masnica said. "And we want to do well or better than last year in the postseason."

When it comes to wins, only one person has done better than Grams in Illinois.

Grams' 856 wins since 1981 are second only to Randy Wolken of St. Joseph-Ogden, who has 948 since 1980.

"Mr. Grams is phenomenal," Masnica said. "He understands the game so well and is great at coaching it. He really loves the game. Words can't describe how good he is as a coach. Even off the field, he is someone you know you can go and talk to.

"He is just great to have around."

And no doubt, Grams would say the same about having Pauscher and Masnica around the last four years.