Lightning teams ready for summer season

In 2006, the Northern Illinois Lightning 18U girls fastpitch team was born.

Now entering season three, the Lightning welcomes a barrage of area talent looking to improve on last season's successful run which concluded with the team 6 games above .500.

With just three returning players, the Lightning will see 14 newcomers bringing with them experience and cohesiveness.

In the circle will be Sarah McCleary (Larkin), Erin McGraw (St. Edward), Bizzy Levy (Marian Central) and Sam Vojtsek (Jacobs).

McCleary had a nice run for the Royals in 2008 collecting a 3.83 earned run average while fanning 58. Offensively, she hit .207 with 14 RBI. En route to 9 wins with the Green Wave, McGraw was among the area leaders in the circle with 57 strikeouts and a 1.62 ERA. At the dish, McGraw hit .292 tallying 21 hits including 5 doubles.

"Erin will get a lot of work in the circle," said manager Howie Bierman. "She had a heck of a season with St. Edward so we are excited to see her. Sarah will help us out a lot too.

"We will look to minimize walks. Pitching will be a key as well as the defense behind it."

The Hardie trio of Samantha (IF,OF), Megan (C,OF,1b) and Kaitlin (IF,OF) join the Lightning roster fresh off of an extremely successful high school run with Crystal Lake South. The Gators just concluded their season Monday with a 4-3 loss in 10 innings to Barrington in the Elgin supersectional. Due to injury, Megan could be lost for the season. Kaitlin is also hurt, but might be back as soon as July.

"It could be a slow start with a lot of early injuries," said Bierman. "Some girls will be tested early, and they will have to step up for us."

From Schaumburg High School, Rachel Borgman (C, OF, 3b) joins summer action along with Hononegah's Amanda Ruper (OF, 1b, 3b) and Allison Devor (OF, C, 3b) of St. Charles East, who played for the Lightning 16U team last summer.

Capping off a long list of new players is Erika Ernst (OF, 1b, 2b) of Jacobs, Alexis Gordon (2b, OF) from Bartlett and Megan Pozezinski (IF, OF, C) of St. Edward.

Pozezinski was among the area leaders for the Green Wave hitting .309 with 25 hits, 15 runs, 16 RBI, 3 triples, 2 home runs and 8 stolen bases.

The Lightning offense could be the most exciting thing to watch for this summer. Newcomers Tori Maule (Crystal Lake South), Megan Roadcap (Hampshire) and Ellis Hatchett (Larkin) will bring a lot of pop to the plate.

Roadcap (2b, SS, OF) hit .438 for the Whip-Purs this season with 39 hits, 27 runs, 29 RBI, 9 doubles and 2 home runs. For Larkin, Hatchett hit .407 collecting 37 hits, 18 runs, 7 doubles and 11 stolen bases.

"Megan is going to help us a lot," said Bierman. "She has nice hands on defense and is an excellent hitter. Ellis is another very strong offensive player."

The Lightning will open the season in the Elgin Heat Tournament at the Elgin Sports Complex this weekend. They will open against the Illinois Thunder at 8 a.m. Saturday followed by games against the New Lenox Power at 12:30 p.m. and the Naperville Diamonds at 3:30 p.m.

"If we work together, it will be a very exciting season," said Bierman. "Hustling both on and off the field, and working toward becoming better ballplayers is the goal.

"I hope to see the kids enjoy themselves."

Lightning 16s: Under new leadership, the Northern Illinois Lightning 16U girls fastpitch program is slated to begin its second season of competitive summer softball this Saturday at the Elgin Sports Complex competing in the Elgin Heat Tournament beginning at 8 a.m.

Leading the roster, which carries just three returning athletes will be manager Colleen Cotton, who brings extensive fastpitch experience to the field.

Cotton played at Prairie Ridge High School and later at McHenry County College before completing her degree at Eastern Illinois University.

A very young but talented roster, the Lightning welcomes back the battery of pitcher Kelly Patchett (Elgin) and catcher Kristina Brockner (St. Edward). Both will also spend time in the outfield. Patchett collected a .281 batting average with the Maroons this past season, and fanned 50 batters while inside the circle. Brockner hit .253 with 13 RBI and 3 triples.

Also from St. Edward, Kristi Knott is the third and final returnee, and she will play in the outfield. With the Green Wave, Knott hit .388 collecting 33 hits, 19 RBI, 18 runs, 6 doubles, 2 triples and 13 stolen bases.

The Lightning welcomes three shortstop ready newcomers to the roster in Alexis Ford (DeKalb), Heather Zimmerman (Palatine) and Samantha Palucska (Wauconda). Each of the three may see time in a variety of positions throughout the summer season.

Joining Patchett inside the circle will be Erin Hipple (St. Charles North) and Savannah Hupe (St. Charles East). Crosstown rivals during the high school season, the duo will work together for the Lightning. Hipple is also and infielder/outfielder and Hupe will play outfield when she isn't pitching.

New receivers for the Lightning include Stacey Cladis (Geneva), Jordan Herra (Kaneland) and Alex Robbins (Huntley). Cladis can not only catch, but will also be useful at first and third base. Both Robbins and Herra can also play infield and outfield positions. Robbins recorded a .208 season batting average with the Red Raiders.

From South Elgin, Kaitlyn Boehne (1b, 3b, OF) steps in along with Brook Frederiksen (2b, 3b, OF) of Jacobs and Elizabeth Jilek (2b, OF) of DeKalb.

With such a diverse group, Cotton's early goal will be creating a team-atmosphere.

"Playing as a team will be most important," said Cotton. "If this group can do that, they will be excellent. We have a lot of talent from everywhere."

According to Cotton, the Lightning has strength all over the field as well as inside the circle and at the dish.

"Our strength is every part of the field," she said. "We have some big bats too.

"A lot of girls are coming off very successful high school seasons. Bringing that winning attitude in should help get us off to a great start."

Looking at early indications, the only difficult part according to Cotton will be putting together a starting lineup with 14 talented girls.

Both Lightning teams play their weeknight doubleheaders on the new field at Judson University.