Softball: Scouting the North Suburban Conference
LAKE ZURICH
Coach: Dann Giesey (first season)
Last season: 16-15, 9-5 in NSC, lost to Palatine in Class 4A Zion-Benton regional final
Key losses: C Amanda Guercio (Indiana State University), CF Jessica Puccinelli (University of Dubuque), 1B Sarah Schnecker
Returning players: seniors Mackenzie Brinn (3B), Abby Jokerst (OF); juniors Megan Croke (2B), Julia Zaucha (SS), Stephanie Keefe (P); sophomores Elizabeth Chialdikas (3B/C), Olivia Collins (OF/P)
Newcomers: junior Haley Gajewski (OF/C); sophomore Natalie Jokerst (2B/OF); freshmen Maura Ginn (P/1B), Kennedy Williams (OF/SS/2B), Nina Kolb (SS/2B)
Outlook: An assistant softball coach at Carmel Catholic the last two years after a stint as the school's head baseball coach, Dann Giesey planned to take this spring off. His daughter Jennifer is a freshman softball player at Winona State University in Minnesota. Then the Lake Zurich job opened last month. Giesey applied and got the job. "I'm one who's very organized and very analytical, and I like to have my season prepared well in advance," Giesey said. So much for that. "Here I am getting the job as the season is starting," he added with a laugh. Giesey is the director of technology at Woodland School District 50 in Gurnee, and his new softball gig will still allow him to squeeze in an occasional four-hour drive to Winona State. He's excited about the opportunity at Lake Zurich, adding the softball team's rich tradition appealed to him. The Bears graduated one of the best players in their history in ICA Class 4A first-team all-state selection Amanda Guercio (school-record 18 homers last season, school-record 45 in her career), but there's returning talent and new talent. "The biggest hurdle is just coming in late," Giesey said. "We're working hard, getting caught up." Elizabeth Chialdikas returns for her sophomore season after batting .487 with 5 homers and 20 RBI in an All-North Suburban Conference campaign. Middle infielders Abby Jokerst (shortstop) and Megan Croke (second base) also return, although Croke will miss the start of the season after suffering a concussion recently. Stephanie Keefe is back in the circle, while three freshmen could provide a spark to the offense. "We have a lot of speed, a lot of flexibility, a lot of kids who can switch-hit," Giesey said. "We could hit you with five slappers if we wanted, and we can turn them right around. It's a really good, young group."
LIBERTYVILLE
Coach: Elissa Wisniewski (seventh season)
Last season: 28-6, 12-2 in NSC, won Class 4A Stevenson regional, lost to Warren in New Trier sectional final
Key losses: P Hannah Heraty (University of Dayton), 1B Lyndsey Lyon, CF Kenzie Rother, 2B Samantha Hilldale, 3B Maddy Hollinger
Returning players: seniors Emily Hilldale (OF), Sarah Hoyer (C); junior Maggie Evers (3B); sophomore Sarah Bennett (2B)
Newcomers: juniors Hannah Hiscox (3B/SS), Julia Zinkewich (OF), Christine Zhang (OF/2B), Alyia Haddon (OF), Chloe Bleck (1B/C), Amanda Page (P/OF), Ari Nevarez (P/3B)
Outlook: The Wildcats have won 57 games in the last two years alone, but they were hit hard by graduation. They graduated the top four hitters in last year's batting order, and each of them - Kenzie Rother, Sam Hilldale, Hannah Heraty and Lyndsey Lyon - were all-area players. Rother swiped a school-record 35 bases last season, while ace pitcher/slugger Heraty finished her three-year varsity career with 27 homers and 70 pitching wins. Heraty and Lyon each hit 11 home runs last season. Heraty (second team), Rother (third team) and Lyon (third team) were all named ICA Class 4A all-state. The only starters back are catcher Sarah Hoyer, outfielder Emily Hilldale and Maggie Evers, who served as designated player last year but will play third base this season. Hoyer was an All-North Suburban Conference selection last year. She and Hilldale are playing their fourth season on varsity. Coach Elissa Wisniewski lists junior newcomers Amanda Page and Ari Nevarez as her team's pitchers. "Although we have a lot of newcomers to the varsity level this year," Wisniewski said, "we a lot of athletic talent and power offensively that will help us compete in the NSC."
MUNDELEIN
Coach: Heather Ryan (first season)
Last season: 16-17, 9-5 in NSC, lost to Stevenson in Class 4A Stevenson regional semifinals
Key losses: SS Meghan Ehemann, CF Jordyn West, OF Olivia Michalski
Returning players: seniors Brenna Adams (P), Kaitlyn Griffin (1B), Peyton Pribyl (C), Annie Morelli (P); juniors Allison Lambert (2B), Molly Podraza (CF); sophomores Kira Buckner (3B/P), Kendall Klatt (DP/C/OF), Elise Bernett (RF)
Newcomers: junior Danielle Lambert (LF); sophomore Mia Arnoux (OF); freshman Cheyenne Pellettiere (SS/3B)
Outlook: The Mustangs are starting a new chapter, as former JV coach Heather Ryan has taken over after back-to-back losing seasons. A three-time all-conference player at Royall High in Elroy, Wis., Ryan was the JV coach the last six years. She inherits a team that returns all-area and All-North Suburban Conference senior first baseman Kaitlyn Griffon (.380 batting average last season) and senior pitcher Breanna Adams, who is playing her fourth season on varsity and will pitch for North Central College next year. Ryan says she's optimistic about the season because seven of her team's nine returnees were starters last year. The new faces include Cheyenne Pellettiere, Danielle Lambert and Mia Arnoux. Adams and sophomore third baseman Kira Buckner were named honorable mention all-conference last spring. "Our strength will be in our veteran experience and pitching," Ryan said. "Bre Adams will be a force on the mound and at the plate. Kaitlyn Griffin will bring power to the middle of the lineup and a consistent and reliable defensive presence at first base. Look for the Mustangs to bring a new intensity and competitiveness to the field this spring."
STEVENSON
Coach: Heather Ruchim (first season)
Last season: 14-19, 4-10 in NSC, lost to Libertyville in Class 4A Stevenson regional final
Key losses: CF Vera Pflugradt (University of Wisconsin-Whitewater), C/SS Mic Faunce, 2B Emma Oriatti, OF Alana Labaschin, 3B Alyssa Pauly
Returning players: seniors Gina Shanley (OF/1B/C), Carly Perkins (1B/OF), Gwen Heilman (OF/2B), Ilyssa Muise (P/OF); juniors Riley Housinger (P/OF), Anna Fossier (SS/C); sophomore Maggie Trotter (1B)
Newcomers: juniors Maggie O'Brien (UT), Taylor Edelheit (P/1B), Maitreyee Malpekar (OF), Miyah Brooks (2B/OF); sophomore Hailey Peterson (C/UT)
Outlook: Heather Ruchim is the Patriots' fourth head coach in five years, but she's no stranger to the program. A three-time all-area player for Stevenson (Class of 2005), she has been coaching in the program since 2014. She replaces Perry Wilhem, whose only Stevenson team won just 14 games but featured a potent offense. The Patriots graduated the top four hitters in their batting order, however. "I'm optimistic about the group we have this year," Ruchim said. "We have seven returning varsity players, five of which are seniors that want to finish their careers on a high note. I constantly remind the girls that we get only four years of high school softball and the time is going to fly by. We talk about what we want our legacy to be when our time with the Stevenson softball program is up. We talk about the bonds we create with our teammates and how they will last a life time. I, personally, wouldn't be where I am today, if it wasn't for a former teammate of mine. We talk about the importance of playing for one another, as a unit toward the same goal. Fortunately, the girls enjoy spending time with each other, so I'm excited to see how that translates on to the field." Riley Housinger and Ilyssa Muise return in the circle for the Patriots, and Ruchim says to keep an eye on returning junior Anna Fossier, who catches and plays shortstop. "I think we can do some damage right out of the gate," Ruchim said. "We have the talent. We have the experience. If we bring the right mindset, approach and leave everything we have out on the field, everyday, we will be a force to be reckoned with this year."
WARREN
Coach: Jenna Charbonneau (fourth season)
Last season: 28-8, 13-1 in NSC (first place), won Class 4A Glenbrook North regional, won New Trier sectional, lost to Barrington in Barrington supersectional
Key losses: SS/OF Emily Hudgins (Penn State University), 3B Sarah Finkel
Returning players: seniors Claire Swedberg (2B/SS), Emma Gratz (C), Lydia Gratz (P), Taylor McIntosh (OF), Kelly Beck (OF); juniors Kayla Nommensen (1B), Caitlyn Britton (P), Ashlyn Kitter (OF)
Newcomers: juniors Taylor Shaw (OF), Becca Geiyer (SS/2B), Anna Kraemer (IF); sophomores Carissa Topolinski (IF/C), Trenise Powe (IF), Kayla Hopkins (OF)
Outlook: Twenty-eight wins and North Suburban Conference and sectional championships in 2017 didn't look possible at the beginning of last spring. Not considering the Blue Devils graduated ace pitcher Hannah Nommensen and sluggers Sabrina Trevino, Julienne Egofske and Crystal Pennell. Then Caitlyn Britton happened. In her second varsity season, Britton busted out both at the plate and in the circle. She hit 16 home runs and 17 doubles, drove in a Lake County-record 78 runs, batted .505, won 22 games and notched a 2.36 ERA. Britton, who was named ICA Class 4A second-team all-state, is verbally committed to Central Michigan University. Another Division-I recruit also shined for Warren last season and returns to provide punch to the lineup. Lefty-hitting Claire Swedberg signed with Penn State University in the off-season and comes off a junior campaign in which she batted .470. The middle infielder also stole 26 bases in as many attempts in earning third-team all-state and all-area honors. The other returnees include junior first baseman Kayla Nommensen, who also has been on varsity since she was a freshman. Britton, Swedberg and Nommensen were all named All-NSC last year. "We are looking forward to another great season this year," coach Jenna Charbonneau said. "We have a good amount of returning players, and our new players to the team really fill in a complete lineup for us. The team has been working really hard in the off-season, and I think that will show this season."