Softball: Maine West hungry for another CSL North title

Maine West's softball team liked the taste of a Central Suburban North co-championship last season.

The Warriors are hungry for another title this spring.

They'll be looking to senior leadership and strong pitching to get the job done.

West returns four-year starter Jessica Steingard and junior Abby Gawlinski to share the bulk of innings on the mound. Behind the plate are the capable hands of four-year starter Amanda Byrne and junior Angelis Beiza.

"Our catchers are solid receivers behind the plate and hit for both average and power," said coach Him Dvorak, whose club was 15-11 and 8-2 last season while sharing the CSL North with Vernon Hills.

Dvorak must replace middle infielders Olivia Feldkamp (shortstop) and Gabby Demma (second base), who were a tandem for the past three seasons.

"It's great having so many girls that are hungry to play and fighting for starting positions," said the fourth-year coach, who is assisted by former Fremd multisport athlete Kelly Voigt. "We will continue to experiment until we find the right combination. We are challenging our team to be flexible and ready to play at new positions."

Other returning starters are Brianna Migaczewski (senior), Katelyn Weber (senior), Emily Divelbiss (junior) and Ashley Desilva (junior), who provided extra pop to the lineup in the second half of last season.

After finishing the 2019 season with a regional championship, Maine South will feature a lot of new faces this spring.

"We are returning a few starters and looking to fill the vacant starting spots with girls competing in the preseason workouts and practice," said veteran Hawks coach Emmy Pasier, who was also the assistant for the girls basketball team which enjoyed a stellar 27-9 season. "Some of these girls have varsity experience and some are new."

The left side of the infield will be returning senior Libby Strotman at third base and sophomore Molly Grace at short.

"This team has already proven to be a hardworking one with players who work well to push each other to be the best they can be," Pasier said. "They know each other is a link to the team make up and when they all are working together those individual links will become a chain that will be hard to break."

St. Viator coach John Scotillo expects the Lions to be substantially stronger offensively than a year ago.

"The core of our lineup has been hitting regularly all year," he said. "They have measurably increased their bat speed."

Starting pitchers Gianna Saverino and Mary Naughton are now in their third year.

"They're feeling more and more comfortable," Scotillo said. " They've worked on their control this offseason and have shown improvement already."

The Lions' infield will have a new look.

"We are excited about seeing freshman Brooke Cwick at third base and last year's Rookie of the Year, Allison Ardito, moving to shortstop," added Scotillo, who begins his seventh season as the Lions' coach.

Anchoring the infield will be all-conference catcher Morgan Bielfeldt (. 385 and 4 home runs).

Nicole Ardito returns to the outfield. "That's where she is most comfortable and we expect that she will once again be a table setter in the lineup," Scotillo said.

Senior captains Ardito and Bielfeldt along with Ava Davis and Elise Bollard will lead the way. "They are like assistant coaches," Scotillo added. "They are tremendous assets to me and to the team."

Leyden coach Kurt Schuett, now in his 15th season, is looking to the future as he'll put a young squad on the field for 2020.

"We look to build this year in preparation for making a deep playoff run in 2021," said Schuett, whose team was 19-8 and 8-4 in the West Suburban Gold Conference last year.

Key returnees for the Eagles are Elle Engleke (senior/catcher), Elyse McLaughlin (senior/OF), Bre Deutscher (junior/pitcher), and Yaritza Frias (junior/shortstop).

The Eagles boast one of the toughest schedules in the state, coupled with one of the youngest rosters.

First-year coach Nikko Andriotis is hoping this year's group has potential to turn around the Maine East program and create a culture of competitive softball.

"Our program is in the stages of rebuilding, with me stepping in as the new head coach, a whole new coaching staff, and lots of young players with potential," Andriotis said. "Developing our younger players is a strong focus for our program this season."

Four seniors will help lead Andriotis' first squad. He also has two freshman who are expected to play big roles over the next four years.

Andriotis said two returners with high ceilings are sophomore pitcher Jessalyn Coppe and third baseman Solomiya Plugator.

"Jess has incredible potential as a sophomore," the coach said. "And with the coaching of former all-state pitcher Claudia Maloberti as our pitching coach, I feel Jess is going to make big strides in her career this season.

"Solomiya has proved to sure-handed at third with a great arm. She's also a strong hitter that will hit in the middle of the lineup and do some damage at the plate this year. She is a smart and effective leader and already has the respect of her teammates."