Softball: Lake County all-area team

Posted June 10, 2010 11:00 pm

By Joe Aguilar

Abby Anderson Warren

She stands 6 feet, but that's not what's most noticeable about the junior first baseman. It's her ability to hit the softball, especially a long way. Named the Blue Devils' offensive player of the year in her first season on varsity, Anderson belted a school-record 7 home runs in addition to batting a team-best .467 with her 50 hits also including 11 doubles and a triple. The cleanup hitter's 35 RBI led the team, as well. "She's an excellent all-around player," coach Carri McGahan said. "She is truly a consistent hitter and did a great job advancing or scoring runners in key moments. She continually works at all facets of her game and will have a great returning season next spring. She is a fabulous leader both on and off the field."

Allie Anttila Antioch

Coach Jeff Tylka calls the senior shortstop "the mother" on the Sequoits. Well, true, Anttila does make sacrifices (bunts and deep flyballs), commands your attention (12 home runs) and cleans up (52 RBI). She's invaluable, in short. The likable Anttila, a three-time all-area choice, is batting .447 for the Class 3A Marengo supersectional champs. Her 51 hits include the dozen long balls, 8 doubles and 5 triples. She also has 13 stolen bases and a .496 on-base percentage. "Allie is a very consistent player and quietly goes about her business," Tylka said. "She has excellent range at shortstop and a very good arm."

Alex Booker Warren

Close the book on Booker. There was always something good to write about when it came to the four-year all-area center fielder and University of Illinois recruit. The speedy, lefty-swinging leadoff hitter was the catalyst again this season for a Warren team that won a school-record 28 games and a regional championship. A captain, Booker hit .425 with her 51 hits including 11 doubles, 4 triples and 3 homers. She stole 24 bases in 25 tries and scored 38 runs. "She did a fantastic job this year taking on the leadership role," coach Carri McGahan said. "She was a consistent leadoff batter and made some phenomenal diving catches in key moments in the postseason to keep our playoff winning streak alive."

Brie Brugioni Grant

Coach Mike Dolezal wasn't shy about his expectations for his returning all-area player heading into season. He expected Brugioni to legitimately challenge for captain honors of the all-area team. The pitcher delivered. While Lake Zurich's Megan Mattera snagged the honor, Grant's senior put up monster numbers herself. As a pitcher, she struck out 223 batters in 134 innings, winning 14 games and posting a 1.21 ERA. As a hitter, she continued to improve. She batted .500 (60-for-120) with 6 home runs, 41 RBI and 32 runs scored. "She lived up to all the expectations," Dolezal said. "She's a great leader. She led by example. She's just been fun to be around. She grew each year." A four-year varsity player, Brugioni will play softball next year at Trinity Christian College.

Sarah Clauser Warren

"I see a gap and Sarah's going shopping!" Warren's players laughed every time a certain Blue Devil, using a high-pitched voice, would yell that personalized cheer for Clauser. Know what Clauser usually did? Hit a ball into the gap. A four-year starter and repeat all-area selection, the Aurora University-bound shortstop cracked a team-best 17 doubles. She also had 4 triples and 3 home runs, while posting a .455 batting average, knocking in 30 runs, scoring 39 runs and stealing 12 bases. "She continually worked hard this year both offensively and defensively to have her best year be her last year," coach Carri McGahan said. "For the majority of the season, she became a consistent shortstop and truly made some unbelievable plays with her range and hustle. ... She was our team's MVP this year for the growth and leadership she displayed both on and off the field."

Shannon Cooley Lakes

Coach Bill Hamill said the junior stranded some runners in scoring position this season. Apparently, not many. Cooley collected a hefty 63 RBI. The three-time all-area pick also socked 19 doubles and hit .417 with a .489 on-base percentage and .572 slugging percentage. She hit 3 homers. "She definitely hits the ball hard," Hamill said. "She's a good hitter. We have to work on some things with off-speed, but a lot of people have trouble with off-speed pitches. She's got good game, especially with her hitting." For the third straight season, Cooley served as the Eagles' ace. She went 15-7 with 162 strikeouts in 160 innings.

Rachel DePouw Grant

DePouw had pop. And delivered it when the 22-game winners often needed it. "Time after time, she came through with clutch hits," coach Mike Dolezal said. DePouw switched to third base this season and patrolled the position creditably. She also pitched. At the plate, she hit .365 with 3 homers, 9 doubles, 4 triples and 25 RBI.

Olivia Duehr Antioch

Spring is Duehr season. The captain of the 2009 all-area team, the junior pitcher put together another stellar campaign in pitching and hitting the Sequoits downstate for the first time in their history. The Northwestern commit is hitting .419 with 13 doubles, 2 tripes, 8 homers, 41 RBI, 48 runs scored and 7 stolen bases. Pitching-wise, Duehr, a hard-throwing righty, boasts a 20-5 record with a 1.53 ERA and 198 strikeouts in 160 innings. "Olivia is a workhorse," coach Jeff Tylka said. "She is an extremely hard worker and can hit the ball out to any field. She is a fierce competitor and always expects to win."

Genny Duffy Stevenson

Duffy put up puffy offensive numbers. A three-year varsity starter and repeat all-area pick, the senior third baseman led the Patriots with a .481 batting average. She knocked in 27 runs and struck out only eight times. Her 50 hits included 5 doubles, 3 triples and a home run. When she gave up pitching after her sophomore year, coach Larry Friedrichs said he knew he had to have her bat in the lineup. She played first base in travel last year. "She really worked to become a really solid third baseman," Friedrichs said. "I think we and she were pleasantly surprised at how well she did there." Duffy will continue playing softball at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota.

Kristina Gandy Grayslake North

Grayslake North's program is headed north and is led by the sophomore, who earned the victory in 16 of the Knights' school-record 19 wins. A first baseman when she wasn't pitching, Gandy led her team offensively by batting .417 with 9 doubles and 33 RBI. In the circle, the second-year starter posted a 2.06 ERA. "Coming in as a sophomore after playing last season (on varsity), I was looking for great things from her this year, and that's what I found," coach Molly Jones said. "Overall, she's a good athlete and a very reliable softball player."

Paige Goldberg Lake Zurich

Paige turned a new page. The junior moved back to catcher, her "normal" position, as coach Michaela Towne called it, after earning all-area honors as a right fielder last season. The lefty slapper continued to hit the ball and get on base, often from the leadoff spot in the Bears' batting order. She hit .385 with 25 runs scored and 10 stolen bases. Behind the plate, she made just 3 errors. "Paige did a good job of filling the role we needed her to fill. She's always a threat with the bat in her hands. She can slap for power and slap for singles. She was definitely a spark at the top of our lineup."

Lindsay Horwitz Warren

She's a ballplayer. The senior played baseball with the boys her freshman year and still plays in women's leagues. She can also smack a softball and glove it. The two-time all-conference second baseman hit .409 with 11 doubles, 3 triples, 2 home runs, 28 RBI, 28 runs scored and 9 stolen bases. "She's definitely the most versatile and hardest-working of all of our players," coach Carri McGahan said. "Whether it's in the classroom, the field or the gym, wherever it may be, you ask whatever you want and she'll always do it right away." Horwitz will continue her softball career at Heidelberg University.

Kayla Hurd Warren

We heard that. Hurd popping leather with her fastball. Hurd chatting it up with her teammates after another one of her strikeouts. "She really blossomed this year as a dominant pitcher," coach Carri McGahan said of her four-year varsity player and repeat all-area choice, who was a captain this season. "Kayla posted outstanding numbers and displayed excellent poise in difficult moments on the mound, especially during the postseason. She did a great job working out of jams and working back on batters when she was behind in the count." Hurd pitched the Blue Devils to the Libertyville regional title and went 23-7 in the circle. In 1731/3 innings, she struck out 259 batters while posting a 2.23 ERA. "She was our defensive player of the year for the physical and mental toughness she displayed to lead our team to the success we achieved this year," McGahan said. Hurd, who will pitch for Grand Valley State University, also hit .388 with 6 doubles, 3 homers and 17 RBI.

Amanda Jaegers Stevenson

Jaegers jacked. A hard-hitting first baseman who played three varsity seasons, the senior smacked 50 hits to tie for the team lead. She hit .407 with 10 doubles, 30 RBI and a .451 on-base percentage. "She really became a great contact hitter and fixture at first base," coach Larry Friedrichs said. "She really cut down on her strikeouts from last year."

Nicole Kruckman Libertyville

"Baby Kruck" - or "BK," as she's called more often - has grown up. The younger sister of senior catcher Leah Kruckman and former Wildcat third baseman Carol Kruckman, Nicole played large for the Wildcats. The left-handed hitter batted a team-best .425 with 13 extra-base hits, including 7 doubles and 5 home runs. She also knocked in 34 runs, one of the top-10 totals in the program's history. "Nicole is very hardworking and dedicated and has a strong passion for the game," coach Mary Tiegs said. Kruckman caught and played some third base when she wasn't serving as the team's designated player. She helped the Wildcats to 17 wins, one of their highest totals in recent years.

Jessie Liszka Antioch

On a team that has hit a state-record 48 home runs, the junior second baseman has none. And, yet, without her, the Sequoits would not be as powerful. "Jess is an excellent (No.) 2 hitter," coach Jeff Tylka said. "She can lay down a bunt with the best of them and also get on base, as she has shown with her 41 hits this year. She plays a very good second base and has done an excellent job of covering first with throws coming from Allie (Anttila, shortstop) and Lauren (Moore, third base)." Liszka is hitting .387 for the 31-win and supersectional-champion Sequoits. She counts 2 doubles, 2 triples, 16 RBI and 11 stolen bases in as many attempts.

Kate Martino Wauconda

The senior started four seasons on varsity in both basketball and softball, and concluded her high school career with yet another great campaign. After starting the season behind the plate, she moved to shortstop to help solidify the Bulldogs' defense and that's exactly what she did. The leadoff batter hit for power and could lay down a bunt with the best of them. Her leadership helped Wauconda win 21 games and a regional championship. She'll play softball at Trinity Christian College.

Megan Mattera Lake Zurich

Mattera mattered. Every game. "Her numbers speak for themselves," coach Michael Towne said. "She was just clutch. She wanted the bat in her hands in big games and when there were runners on base. She embraced the opportunity to be a star this year." No star shone brighter in Lake County. The captain of the Daily Herald All-Area team and repeat selection, the junior put up staggering offensive numbers, including 14 home runs, 63 RBI, a .496 batting average, .557 on-base percentage and 1.053 slugging percentage. She also had 15 doubles and 3 triples in helping the Bears win a regional. Her eighth-inning homer beat Barrington in the sectional semifinals. "She approached every at-bat with a smile on her face," Towne said. "If she didn't get a hit, she was like, 'OK, I'll get it the next time.' " Mattera was also a workhorse in the circle, going 21-11 with 229 strikeouts and a 2.65 ERA.

Megan Meline Vernon Hills

The Cougars' lean Meline machine was super reliable. Vernon Hills has had plenty of great hitters come through its program in 10 years, but none has ever posted a better single-season batting average than the sophomore. Meline hit a robust .439, while also leading the Cougars in on-base (. 490) and slugging (. 637) percentage, hits (40), homers (3), triples (2), runs scored (27) and stolen bases (13). She also had 19 RBI and 5 doubles. "She does everything really well," coach Paul Weber said. "She runs really well, as well as pitch well and hit the ball well. She hits for power, hits for average, and she can play other positions." Besides her hitting prowess, Meline was one of the county's best pitchers, posting a 1.32 ERA with 153 strikeouts and just 38 walks in 116 innings. "I see Megan making a huge jump next year," Weber said. "She is an excellent student, hard worker and true leader, and has the skills and talent to be a D-1 athlete."

Allie Micucci Stevenson

The Patriots' No. 4 played four varsity seasons and was for real. A repeat all-area selection, she helped pitch and hit Stevenson to 19 wins. In the box, she batted .413 with an on-base percentage of .462 and 26 RBI. Her home run at Barrington was hit so far that it almost hit the flagpole. In the circle, she won 12 games, striking out 148 batters in 169 innings and posting a 3.15 ERA. She struck out 10 batters in a row against Lake Forest. Career-wise for Stevenson, she finished second to Elissa Wisniewski in appearances and innings pitched, and third in wins and strikeouts. "She's really a kid that came along a little bit every year," coach Larry Friedrichs said. When Micucci didn't pitch, Friedrichs kept her bat in the lineup. She struck out only four times. "The one thing you knew about her was that she was going to put the ball in play," Friedrichs said. Micucci will continue her softball career at Trinity International University.

Lauren Moore Antioch

Need to break in a first baseman's mitt? Wear it and catch a few throws from Moore. Pray the hard-throwing third baseman doesn't break one of your fingers. "Lauren is a defensive weapon," coach Jeff Tylka said. "She takes bunts away from talented slappers and has excellent hands at third." A Loyola University signee, Moore also pounds the softball. She's hitting .464 with a .524 on-base percentage for the North Suburban Conference, regional, sectional and supersectional champs. Her power numbers include 8 doubles and 5 homers. She's driven in 40 runs and has struck out only six times. "She is a pressure player," Tylka said, "and very calmly hit close to .500 with runners in scoring position."

Ashley Niedermayer Stevenson

Niedermayer filled a need. Coach Larry Friedrichs pumped up the bottom of his batting order by dropping the athletic junior from leadoff into the ninth spot. She finished with a school-record 8 home runs, including 2 grand slams in one game against Mundelein, to go along with 9 doubles, 3 triples and a team-best 36 RBI. She batted .400 with a .455 on-base percentage in her second season as the team's starting center fielder. "She's quick, has a good glove and has a great sense for the game," Friedrichs said. "I think one the things that helped her was moving her out of the leadoff spot. It was nice later in the game because when she got on, it would get us right back to the top of the order and made our lineup very fluid."

Amanda Orchard Lake Zurich

The 6-foot sophomore has been playing three varsity sports since last year, and it shows. "She plays like someone much older than a sophomore," coach Michaela Towne said. "She can be real goofy - real goofy - in the dugout, but she's definitely got that athletic mentality." Orchard played middle infield and batted near the top of the Bears' lineup, often delivering in big games. She finished with a .384 batting average with 6 triples and 6 stolen bases. "She's just a gamer," Towne said. "She comes to play. You can always count on her to come through when games are at their toughest point. She's very dependable."

Samie Seamon Antioch

Small ball? Sam can. Long ball? Sam can. Clutch hits and defensive gems in big games? Sam absolutely can. "Samie is a dangerous hitter with explosive power and speed," coach Jeff Tylka said. "She has the ability to draw a walk, bunt for a hit, and drive it out of the park." A repeat all-area player, "Smilin' Samie" stands only 5 feet 2 but has surprising power. She's hitting .400 with 11 homers - 3 coming in one game against Addison Trail - 11 doubles, 2 triples and even 36 RBI, despite batting leadoff for most of the season. Her defense in center field and sixth-inning homer helped the Sequoits outlast Lake Zurich in extra innings in the North Suburban Conference championship game. Antioch's final out in its supersectional win over Geneseo came when Seamon throw out the potential tying run at the plate. "She is the heart and soul of our team," Tylka said, "and has made numerous defensive gems to win games." Seamon has verbally committed to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Erin Sweeney Lake Zurich

She took the game serious all off-season, coach Michaela Towne said, then went out and put up serious numbers for the Bears. The senior and repeat all-area choice hit .432 (51 hits) with 22 RBI and 11 stolen bases. She also made just 4 errors at third base. "She plays with such passion and is such a competitor," Towne said of the team captain. "She willed herself into playing well both offensively and defensively. She was such a wall for us defensively at third base." Sweeney will next play for Illinois Wesleyan University.

Rachel Tack Carmel

Tack's knack? Pitching a softball. In four all-area seasons, she won a school-record 51 games, including 8 this season, despite missing a month with a stress fracture while also pitching for a squad that lacked varsity experience. "We had a young team and there was a lot of pressure put on her just because we were learning," coach Jason Raymond said. Tack, the Corsairs' MVP, averaged a strikeout per inning and walked only 30 in 137 frames. She finished with 628 career strikeouts in 712 innings. "Every time we stepped on the field with Rachel pitching, it felt like we could beat anybody in the state," Raymond said. "All four years, when she was on her game, it just felt like we could play with anybody. She gave us that edge out there."

Honorable mention

Ella Aslan (Lake Zurich, Sr., 1B), Kelli Blume (Lake Zurich, Sr., OF), Kelsey Borders (Grayslake North, Fr., C), Claire Brennan (Grayslake Central, So., P), Cat Dinklenburg (Antioch, Sr., 1B), Justina Doll (Mundelein, Jr., OF), Katy Durr (Mundelein, Sr., OF), Meg Grady (Carmel Catholic, Sr., C), Toni Kintzel (Libertyville, Jr., 1B), Kaiti McKeon (Warren, Sr., 3B), Anya Mollenhauer (Vernon Hills, So., 1B), Amber Mysliwiec (Antioch, So., C), Cara Nance (Wauconda, Jr., 3B), Kelly Neises (Lake Zurich, So., CF), Bekah Ozga (Stevenson, Sr., SS), Jessica Ploss (Antioch, So., RF), Nikki Ponticelli (Warren, Sr., C), Jasmine Rivera (Lakes, Jr., SS/CF), Amber Smith (Grant, So., C), Kendra Wedl (Wauconda, Sr., CF), Jordan Willis (Stevenson, Sr., LF/P), Deanna Wise (Mundelein, Jr., SS)

Captains Honor Roll

2002 -Elissa Wisniewski (Stevenson) and Rachel Cleaveland (Mundelein)

2003 - Megan Hinck (Lake Zurich)

2004 - Kristyn Castonzo (Lake Zurich)

2005 - Lea Corcoran (Grayslake)

2006 - Alex Vikartofsky (Stevenson)

2007 - Kariann Hill (Grant)

2008 - Katie Buczynski (Lake Zurich)

2009 - Olivia Duehr (Antioch)

2010 - Megan Mattera (Lake Zurich)

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