Softball: Conant's Neuman captains Northwest all-area team

Sara Neuman understood the team concept even as a freshman.

"The first thing that stood out when she came up to the varsity and pitched was that she'd always high-five her infielders any time there was an out," said Cougars veteran softball coach Cathyann Smith. "She's one of the most team-oriented players we've had here."

That's one reason the Cougars have flourished as a team the past four years, winning two Mid-Suburban League titles and more than 80 games in Neuman's four years in the program.

This spring, Neuman had one of the finest seasons a Mid-Suburban League pitcher has produced.

The Daily Herald's Northwest all-area softball team captain compiled a 20-2 record while throwing 143 innings, allowing only 26 earned runs.

Despite her outstanding personal accomplishments, she never wanted to make it about Sara Neuman.

It was about the Conant Cougars.

"Sara has always stood out as a true team player," Smith said. "She is the first person to congratulate a teammate on the field and in the dugout."

"I love my team," Neuman said. "It was so enjoyable playing alongside people I've grown up with, and people I got to make new connections with."

Neuman went 18-0 before losing to Fremd 2-1, a game in which she did not give up an earned run.

Overall, she posted a 1.27 ERA this spring with 215 K's and 48 walks and a perfect game against Elite Eight finalist Elk Grove in the MSL championship game.

Neuman set Conant's record for single-season ERA (1.33 set by Bri Cavin in 2011 and 2012).

Neuman also broke Cavin's record of fewest earned runs in a season (28 in 2011).

"Sara has grown as a pitcher and a person these past four years," Smith said. "She has become a mentor to our younger pitchers in the program."

Neuman can't believe she is only two months away from her freshman year at Saint Leo University (Fla.), where she will play softball.

"These last four years have flown by so fast," she said. "I encourage everyone from every sport to take in every little thing. In the blink of an eye, it's all over. It's nothing but a memory and you're forced to move onto what's next."

What's next is playing for the Lions, who were ranked as high as No. 4 in the nation for D-II this past spring and finished at No. 16

"Not only that, but my coaches are huge on being student-athletes," said Neuman, who will study biology. "What gets done in the classroom is the main priority. I am looking forward to being a part of a great program."

She sure helped make Conant a great program.

"It was great being a part of the super successful program," Neuman said. "There were so many talented athletes who walked through those doors, whether it be in softball or another sport.

"Playing alongside these great athletes is something truly special. Being a Conant Cougar athlete has taught me far more lessons than could ever be learned on the mound or in the batter's box."

When she was young, Neuman tried to learn many different sports.

In fact, she excelled at swimming.

"When I was 9 years old, I had two options," she said. " I could join a swim team or join travel softball. So I dropped swimming and tried out for travel softball.

"Although I still played basketball and volleyball for school, softball became my prime sport."

Neuman said there was no particular thing that hooked her into playing softball.

"I just continued to grow an incredible passion for the game," she said. "My idol growing up, as most pitchers my age would say, was Jennie Finch. There was nothing I wanted more than to make a name for myself as she did."

And Neuman did exactly that, on the pitcher's mound, just like her idol.

"My favorite part is the rush you get stepping into the circle and being involved in every pitch," Neuman said. "It's an indescribable feeling.

"Striking out a power hitter with a runner in scoring position to watching an outfielder on my team make an incredible layout catch to end an inning, gives me chills and excitement, something I could never feel doing anything else."

And making it twice as special is that she got to do it with all-area catcher Dream Aaron, also a four-year varsity player.

" Dream is an incredible athlete," Neuman said. "She and her sister have become such a huge part of my life. They present a courage award at Conant's Spring Sports Awards Ceremony (The Kim Noonan Award), and she won it."

Neuman and Aaron won many games for the Cougars and now both will head to Florida for college. Aaron will study and play softball at Indian River Community College.

Neuman will add some new teammates to her career at Saint Leo.

"Sara will do great things at Saint Leo, and she will be missed greatly," Smith said. " I have enjoyed working with her and wish her all the best. "

You know Neuman will be greatly missed by those at Conant.

"The way she always included her teammates was really unique," Smith said. "I think that also really stood out for the Saint Leo coaching staff when they were recruiting her."

And moving on to Florida college will be Neuman's next step.

"There was nothing more painful than pulling my uniform out of the dryer and folding it up to return to my Conant coaches for the last time," she said. "Enjoy your high school careers. Make something of yourself. Because it is very, very short-lived."

That's why Neuman always put teammates first - even down to picking a jersey number.

When she got called up to the varsity team as a freshman, she had to choose a number.

In summer softball, she always wore No. 17. But at the time, all-area center fielder Sarah Thompson sported that number for Conant.

"So, I went with number 7," Neuman said. "The following year after Sarah graduated, I had the opportunity to take that jersey."

But teammates first.

"Out of respect for Sarah and the leadership she provided for Conant," said Neuman, "I stuck with No. 7 and left 17 untouched."

Neuman's team-first attitude is untouched.