Erica Maisto to take over Burlington Central softball

As a player, Erica Maisto became one of the most decorated athletes in Burlington Central softball history.

During that time on Rocket Hill, Maisto formed the idea that someday she'd like to be the head softball coach at her alma mater.

That day is here.

Burlington Central athletic director Steve Diversey announced Wednesday that Maisto will take over the Rockets' program, replacing Kyle Molik who resigned after one season and is now teaching in Oswego.

"I'm super excited," said Maisto, a 2008 BC grad who went on to play at Upper Iowa University. "Our program has been so successful for such a long time and I'm excited to come back and contribute to it and work with the girls.

"In high school I always said I wanted to come back and teach and coach softball at Burlington Central. I've always wanted to do this and now I have the opportunity."

Maisto, a sixth grade math teacher at Prairie Knolls Elementary School, won a school record 76 games (only 9 losses) in her four years as a Rocket pitcher and had a career 0.56 ERA in leading her team to a 128-16 record in those four years. She was the honorary co-captain of the Daily Herald's Fox Valley all-area team in 2005 when, as a freshman, she won 27 games. She was also the Daily Herald's Fox Valley Female Athlete of the Year for 2007-08.

Maisto said her basic coaching philosophy is built around hard work and intelligence.

"I not only want us to be the hardest working girls but also the smartest players possible," she said. "I want the girls to understand their roles and help us achieve success by everyone working together. To me that's the key to success. I like productivity and I don't like to waste time. We have a lot of good players and we've got a lot of history. My goal is to get the girls to buy in and to continue the success."

Coaching is in the Maisto blood. Erica's dad, Wade, coached in the BC program for 22 years, 17 of them as the head coach in two stints that included two trips Downstate. He was Scot Sutherland's assistant when the Rockets took third place in Class 3A in 2009. Wade Maisto, an Illinois Coaches Association Hall of Famer, was 384-115 as BC's head coach. He stepped down after the 2014 season, one in which Erica was his assistant along with Lowell Oranger, who Erica Maisto said would be joining her staff.

"I've got great people around me like my dad and Lowell and I'll definitely utilize their expertise," Erica Maisto said. "My dad is one of the reasons I want to coach. The love and passion I have for the game is from him."