Scouting non-MSL Northwest softball teams

Posted March 25, 2010 11:00 pm

By John Leusch

Christian Liberty

Coach: Jed Bennett (2nd season)

Last year's record: 5-5, 2-4

Graduated players: Brittany Monasterio and Michelle Moon

Returning Players: Brittany Negron (Jr. OF, P), Sarah Delcid (Jr., OF), Camille Kott (Jr., OF), Zoe Whyte (Jr., F), Megan Krizanovic (So., C), Carly Baric (So., 1B), Amber Monasterio (So., P), Jayna Rowland (So., OF-3B), Rachel Sotomayor (So., SS)

Newcomers: Beth Cunningham (Fr., 3B), Darby Calkins (Fr., IF,P), Alexis Garcia (Jr., OF), Cathryn Wachniak (Jr., OF,IF), Karen Marsh (So., OF), Julia Hoegler (So., IF), Shannon King (Fr., OF)

Scouting report: The Chargers' 5-5 record last spring included Northeastern Athletic Conference wins over Christian Life, Rockford Christian, and Westminster. "We have improved a lot this year in defense and hitting," Bennett said. "Our pitching is young. Our only two pitchers who have any experience are sophomore Amber Monasterio and freshman Darby Calkins." The Chargers' top pitcher from last year graduated. Christian Liberty has seven starters returning. Five of them batted. 300 or better - Kott, Kryzanovic, Sotomeyer, Negrone, and Monasterio. " We think we can be a very good team this year," Bennett added. "And with no seniors graduating, we can be an even better team next year."

Leyden

Coach: Kurt Schuett (4th season)

Last year's record: 17-16, 5-7

Trading card gallery

Graduated players: Alyssa Stephens, Nicole Spisak, Cassie Nelson

Returning players: Kim Giannini, Ciara Mackey (Sr. 1B, OF), Dana Thomas (Sr., 1B-OF), Gabby Budzon (Sr. OF), Michelle Muszynski (Sr., OF), Caley Murphy (Sr. OF), Amanda Moran (Jr., 2B), Brianna Michels (Jr., IF-OF), Christina Morgan (Jr., CF), Moira Quinlan (Jr., 3B), Morgan Maize (So., P),

Newcomers: Brigid Mackey (Jr., OF), Jaime Weaver (Jr., OF), April Markowski (So., P, U), Dana Sullivan (So., C, U), Hannah Seymore (So., P)

Scouting report: Schuett sees his fourth season as a very promising one. It's not hard to see why as he returns eleven players, six of whom are seniors. In addition, Leyden has three solid pitchers, all sophomores. "We should be able to survive the second-half grind of the season," Schuett said. "Last year we won 17 games (five in the West Suburban Gold Conference), so we hope to win at least twenty this season." Six of the nine positions will be filled by returning varsity starters. "That enhances our overall defensive level of experience," Schuett said. Giannini has already committed to the University of Charleston, W.V., and Mackey to Culver-Stockton College. Giannini is a four-year starting catcher. She threw out 90 percent of the runners who attempted to steal against her last year. Mackey and Thomas are four-year varsity members. Maize, a two-year varsity starter on the mound, led the team offensively and defensively last year.

Maine West

Coach: Mike Murin (9th season)

Last season record: 16-17, 7-3

Graduated players: Jenna Depa (Trinity International), Margo Ehorn, Kelsey Hargesheimer, Kaleigh McGing, Emily Ott (Missouri-Kansas City)

Returning players: Allisan Ellwood (Sr.,), Michelle Marlega (Sr., 3B, OF), Kim Morales (Sr., OF), Vanessa Bagneschi (Sr., OF), Amanda Wessell (Jr., 1B), Katherine Kusner (Jr., OF), Alyssa Bojarski (So., P), Angela Cruz (So., 2B,) Katie Fitzgerald (So., C).

Newcomers: Olivia Beers (Jr., 1B), Kelly Farnan (Jr., 3B), Colleen Finnander (Jr., SS), Nicole Mavraganis (Jr. OF)

Scouting report: As he begins his ninth season, Murin has a few players with varsity experience but the Warriors are still a young team. "We will need to practice hard, improve daily, and compete fiercely to see what kind of team we have," said Murin, who is 182-87 and has guided the Warriors to four Central Suburban League North crowns in his eight seasons. "The girls love the game of softball and work diligently to make each other better. Hopefully, we will grow into one solid unit as the season progresses and play solid softball each and every game." Ellwood is a team captain and Murin expects her to be a leader. Wessell is returning from labrum surgery (missed all of last year). Morales is playing her third varsity season. Bojarski returns to the pitcher's mound. "She is stronger, faster, and more confident," Murin said.

St. Viator

Coach: Dan Twarog (6th season)

Last year's record: 15-22, 5-9

Graduated players: Jessica Etchingham

Returning players: Kristen Cozzi (Jr., 1B), Amanda Presslak (Sr. 2B), Abby Dickey (Sr., 3B), Angelica Dickey (Jr., C), Bridget Urbanus (Sr., CF), Jennie Michalik (Sr., U), Julie Sweeney (Jr., P), Melanie Slawny (Sr., P), Ronnie Mack (Sr., LF), Tayler Lenart (Jr., C), Torey Lenart (Jr., RF)

Newcomers: Alex Flasch (So., SS), Amanda Presslak (Sr. 2B), Allyson Joyce (Jr., OF), Jaclyn Koziol (Jr., IF), Kelly O'Brien (Jr., IF), Maggie Dickey (Fr., OF, P)

Scouting report: Coach Dan Twarog welcomed back several familiar faces as he began his sixth season. The Lions have 11 returning players and eight of them started last spring. Slawny is beginning her fourth year on the mound and Sweeny, an all-conference selection, her third. They will be throwing to catchers Tayler Lenart, a three-year varsity performer and Angelica Dickey. The Lions' outfield stays intact with all-conference selection Urbanus in center, Mack in left and Torey Lenart in right. Cozzi, who is recovering from ACL surgery last June, and Slawny will handle first base. Abby Dickey, a key member of the Lions' golf team last fall, returns to third base for the fourth straight year. Completing the infield are Presslak at second base and Flasch at short. Flasch, who led the freshman team in hitting and fielding last spring, replaces the Lions' only graduated player (Etchingham). "Jennie Michalik has improved greatly since last season and will be playing at various positions and in key hitting situations," Twarog said. "We hope to compete in the tough East Suburban Catholic Conference and win a regional this year."

<h1>More Coverage</h1>

<h2>Related documents</h2>

<li><a href="/pdf/baseball.softball.2010/dupage.pdf">DuPage County players </a></li>

<li><a href="/pdf/baseball.softball.2010/fox.pdf">Fox Valley players </a></li>

<li><a href="/pdf/baseball.softball.2010/lake.pdf">Lake County players </a></li>

<li><a href="/pdf/baseball.softball.2010/northwest.pdf">Northwest suburban players </a></li>

<li><a href="/pdf/baseball.softball.2010/tri-cities.pdf">Tri-Cities players </a></li>

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