Post by Admin on Mar 31, 2014 9:23:51 GMT -5
Marist starts 2014 season as SouthtownStar No. 1 team 03/24/2014, 7:06pm CDT By Tony Baranek | tbaranek@southtownstar.com Marist starts the season as the SouthtownStar’s top-ranked team, but will be challenged to keep its spot at the top by teams like Sandburg, Providence and Lincoln-Way West.
1. Defending a state title is no easy task, and Marist fell short on that mission in 2013, losing in A Class 4A sectional final to Sandburg.
Don’t count out a quick return to the top.
Marist has a large helping of talent from last season’s 27-10 squad, and two young, promising pitchers who should give coach Nicole Bromberek a state contender in her final season before moving with her family to Utah.
“The chip (on the shoulder) is there, without a doubt,” Bromberek said. “I have my Brooke and Brooke (Wyderski and Wilson) in the lineup from the 2012 championship team, along with other teammates of theirs who also would like to make an appearance in the state playoffs.”
The RedHawks return SouthtownStar 2013 Player of the Year Wyderski, whose gaudy numbers included a .587 average, 11 doubles, 12 home runs, 20 stolen bases and 64 RBI. She was the area’s toughest to strike out — it happened just three times. The Loyola-bound senior was a .939 fielder at short, making just eight errors on the season.
Another Loyola recruit, junior outfielder Brooke Wilson (.398), St. Ambrose-bound senior outfielder Julie Trellicoso (.441, 22 SB) and sophomore second baseman Madison Naujokas (.394) are the rest of the core of what should be an explosive offense.
Replacing Audra Hecker in the circle will be junior Zariya Gonzalez and sophomore Lizzie Annerino. Big things are expected at third base from freshman Alexis Rogers.
“Personality-wise, I think it matches up extremely well (to the past few teams),” Bromberek said. “I think there are a lot of fiery personalities, a lot of competitors, girls who are willing to make great sacrifices to become the best ballplayers they can be. It’s exciting.”
2. LINCOLN-WAY WEST (30-6 in 2013)
In its fifth season of varsity softball, West turned the corner in a big way by winning the SouthWest Suburban Red title. More success should be on the horizon as Heather Novak returns a wealth of talent. Senior pitcher Morghan Dieringer (22-3, 1.89 ERA, 205 K) is in her fourth varsity season. She held opposing hitters to a .164 average. Sophomore shortstop Dani Morgan (.463, 6 3B, 6 HR) is a power hitter with speed. Other returnees include senior first baseman Rachel Luckett (.429, 27 RBI), junior third baseman Carly Souder (.394, 24 RBI), junior outfielder Rachel Andrade (1.000 FP) and junior outfielder Kayla Seymour (.337).
3. PROVIDENCE (24-9)
A healthier Celtics team will be smaller in total numbers (13) but deep in returning talent. Junior infielder/catcher Morgan Greenfield (.460, 13 2B, 4 HR) has recovered from an ankle injury suffered just before the state playoffs, and junior shortstop Courtney Pych (.312) has overcome a concussion and a leg fracture to be ready for 2014. Sophomore Jessica Cothern (.429, 9 HR, 40 RBI), senior outfielder Sarah Brightmore (.360), junior second baseman/outfielder Maeve Garvey (.390) and sophomore pitcher Kendel Judge (8-3, 111 K in 751/3 IP) bring more experience.
4. SANDBURG (22-15)
The Eagles are perennial conference and state contenders, and should be solid again in 2014 behind senior Sarah Herold (160 K), who pitched the Eagles to a Class 4A supersectional appearance. The power hitting starts with junior first baseman Katie Krzus, who hit .385 with nine homers and had 41 RBI. Senior Brooke Heimerl is a three-year starter at third, while senior Karli McLaughlin provides stability behind the plate.
5. TINLEY PARK (24-7)
It was a school-record-setting season in 2013 for the Titans, who finished third in Class 3A. They’re led this year by Olivet Nazarene-bound senior third baseman Sam Alberto (.439, 10 HR, 31 RBI), a four-year starter. As freshmen, second baseman Lexxi Lux (.322) and catcher Alex Laphen (.325) both were contributors during the playoff run. Junior Lauren Buckwalter will be looked on to replace Alyssa Gunther at short, while Annalisse Scott takes over in the circle.
6. ANDREW (26-7)
Seven returning starters should keep Andrew in the mix in the SouthWest Suburban Red and beyond. There are no eye-popping numbers, but senior outfielder Lauren Beatty (.331), junior shortstop Shannon Flaherty (.316), sophomore infielder Kayla Plastiak (.300), junior catcher Kara Meter (.269) and sophomore outfielder Abby Bailey (.247) all contributed to a consistent offense. The pitching will be handled by Hannah Thielmann (7-1, 1.90 ERA) and Madison Sherwood (8-3, 2.53 ERA).
7. RICHARDS (20-10)
Senior outfielder/pitcher Sara Tobin (.416) leads the way for the Bulldogs, who are looking for their fourth consecutive South Suburban Red title. Other all-conference returnees include senior catcher/third baseman Molly Pohrebney (.375), junior infielder/catcher Emily Wetzel (.409, 28 RBI), junior second baseman/outfielder Abby Gentile (.322) and junior infielder Kaitlyn Fetchko (.278).
8. LOCKPORT (24-14)
Winners of the SouthWest Suburban Blue in 2013, the Porters have bats galore returning in senior infielder Gabby Voulgaris (.349, 38 RBI), senior outfielder Kelly Pattison (.391), senior catcher Sarah DeMasi (.400, 20 RBI), senior infielder/outfielder Jordan Arndt (.348, 21 RBI) and senior pitcher/outfielder Emma Carter (.380, 20 RBI).
9. MOTHER MCAULEY (18-6)
More velocity should make Mighty Macs’ No. 1 starter Jessica Alberts even tougher than she was during a 2013 season in which she went 13-1, with 114 strikeouts and a 1.33 ERA. The offense starts with senior catcher Alex Brown (.415, 5 HR), who also has a strong arm. Junior third baseman Emily Rux (.403) had the fewest strikeouts on the team as a sophomore.
10. LINCOLN-WAY EAST (19-8)
Strong-armed junior outfielder Jenny VanGeertry (.448, 21 RBI) is in her third varsity season as the Griffins look to challenge in the SouthWest Suburban Blue. Senior second baseman Devon Morgan (.358) is a slapper with speed, while senior catcher Taylor Szostak (196 putouts in 26 games) is rock-solid behind the plate. Senior Sarah Esposito (1.27 ERA) has picked up her velocity and movement, according to coach Elizabeth Pawlicki.
- See more at: www.highschoolcubenews.com/news_article/show/369582?referrer_id=599124#sthash.MFtX0OOS.dpuf
1. Defending a state title is no easy task, and Marist fell short on that mission in 2013, losing in A Class 4A sectional final to Sandburg.
Don’t count out a quick return to the top.
Marist has a large helping of talent from last season’s 27-10 squad, and two young, promising pitchers who should give coach Nicole Bromberek a state contender in her final season before moving with her family to Utah.
“The chip (on the shoulder) is there, without a doubt,” Bromberek said. “I have my Brooke and Brooke (Wyderski and Wilson) in the lineup from the 2012 championship team, along with other teammates of theirs who also would like to make an appearance in the state playoffs.”
The RedHawks return SouthtownStar 2013 Player of the Year Wyderski, whose gaudy numbers included a .587 average, 11 doubles, 12 home runs, 20 stolen bases and 64 RBI. She was the area’s toughest to strike out — it happened just three times. The Loyola-bound senior was a .939 fielder at short, making just eight errors on the season.
Another Loyola recruit, junior outfielder Brooke Wilson (.398), St. Ambrose-bound senior outfielder Julie Trellicoso (.441, 22 SB) and sophomore second baseman Madison Naujokas (.394) are the rest of the core of what should be an explosive offense.
Replacing Audra Hecker in the circle will be junior Zariya Gonzalez and sophomore Lizzie Annerino. Big things are expected at third base from freshman Alexis Rogers.
“Personality-wise, I think it matches up extremely well (to the past few teams),” Bromberek said. “I think there are a lot of fiery personalities, a lot of competitors, girls who are willing to make great sacrifices to become the best ballplayers they can be. It’s exciting.”
2. LINCOLN-WAY WEST (30-6 in 2013)
In its fifth season of varsity softball, West turned the corner in a big way by winning the SouthWest Suburban Red title. More success should be on the horizon as Heather Novak returns a wealth of talent. Senior pitcher Morghan Dieringer (22-3, 1.89 ERA, 205 K) is in her fourth varsity season. She held opposing hitters to a .164 average. Sophomore shortstop Dani Morgan (.463, 6 3B, 6 HR) is a power hitter with speed. Other returnees include senior first baseman Rachel Luckett (.429, 27 RBI), junior third baseman Carly Souder (.394, 24 RBI), junior outfielder Rachel Andrade (1.000 FP) and junior outfielder Kayla Seymour (.337).
3. PROVIDENCE (24-9)
A healthier Celtics team will be smaller in total numbers (13) but deep in returning talent. Junior infielder/catcher Morgan Greenfield (.460, 13 2B, 4 HR) has recovered from an ankle injury suffered just before the state playoffs, and junior shortstop Courtney Pych (.312) has overcome a concussion and a leg fracture to be ready for 2014. Sophomore Jessica Cothern (.429, 9 HR, 40 RBI), senior outfielder Sarah Brightmore (.360), junior second baseman/outfielder Maeve Garvey (.390) and sophomore pitcher Kendel Judge (8-3, 111 K in 751/3 IP) bring more experience.
4. SANDBURG (22-15)
The Eagles are perennial conference and state contenders, and should be solid again in 2014 behind senior Sarah Herold (160 K), who pitched the Eagles to a Class 4A supersectional appearance. The power hitting starts with junior first baseman Katie Krzus, who hit .385 with nine homers and had 41 RBI. Senior Brooke Heimerl is a three-year starter at third, while senior Karli McLaughlin provides stability behind the plate.
5. TINLEY PARK (24-7)
It was a school-record-setting season in 2013 for the Titans, who finished third in Class 3A. They’re led this year by Olivet Nazarene-bound senior third baseman Sam Alberto (.439, 10 HR, 31 RBI), a four-year starter. As freshmen, second baseman Lexxi Lux (.322) and catcher Alex Laphen (.325) both were contributors during the playoff run. Junior Lauren Buckwalter will be looked on to replace Alyssa Gunther at short, while Annalisse Scott takes over in the circle.
6. ANDREW (26-7)
Seven returning starters should keep Andrew in the mix in the SouthWest Suburban Red and beyond. There are no eye-popping numbers, but senior outfielder Lauren Beatty (.331), junior shortstop Shannon Flaherty (.316), sophomore infielder Kayla Plastiak (.300), junior catcher Kara Meter (.269) and sophomore outfielder Abby Bailey (.247) all contributed to a consistent offense. The pitching will be handled by Hannah Thielmann (7-1, 1.90 ERA) and Madison Sherwood (8-3, 2.53 ERA).
7. RICHARDS (20-10)
Senior outfielder/pitcher Sara Tobin (.416) leads the way for the Bulldogs, who are looking for their fourth consecutive South Suburban Red title. Other all-conference returnees include senior catcher/third baseman Molly Pohrebney (.375), junior infielder/catcher Emily Wetzel (.409, 28 RBI), junior second baseman/outfielder Abby Gentile (.322) and junior infielder Kaitlyn Fetchko (.278).
8. LOCKPORT (24-14)
Winners of the SouthWest Suburban Blue in 2013, the Porters have bats galore returning in senior infielder Gabby Voulgaris (.349, 38 RBI), senior outfielder Kelly Pattison (.391), senior catcher Sarah DeMasi (.400, 20 RBI), senior infielder/outfielder Jordan Arndt (.348, 21 RBI) and senior pitcher/outfielder Emma Carter (.380, 20 RBI).
9. MOTHER MCAULEY (18-6)
More velocity should make Mighty Macs’ No. 1 starter Jessica Alberts even tougher than she was during a 2013 season in which she went 13-1, with 114 strikeouts and a 1.33 ERA. The offense starts with senior catcher Alex Brown (.415, 5 HR), who also has a strong arm. Junior third baseman Emily Rux (.403) had the fewest strikeouts on the team as a sophomore.
10. LINCOLN-WAY EAST (19-8)
Strong-armed junior outfielder Jenny VanGeertry (.448, 21 RBI) is in her third varsity season as the Griffins look to challenge in the SouthWest Suburban Blue. Senior second baseman Devon Morgan (.358) is a slapper with speed, while senior catcher Taylor Szostak (196 putouts in 26 games) is rock-solid behind the plate. Senior Sarah Esposito (1.27 ERA) has picked up her velocity and movement, according to coach Elizabeth Pawlicki.
- See more at: www.highschoolcubenews.com/news_article/show/369582?referrer_id=599124#sthash.MFtX0OOS.dpuf