Post by Homer Hawks Site Administrator on Jun 11, 2010 7:29:24 GMT -5
Softball: DuPage County all-area team
By Joshua Welge | Daily Herald StaffContact writerPublished: 6/11/2010 12:08 AMSend To:
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(0) | read | postBuzz up! Samantha Becker
Lake Park
Small in stature, this senior second baseman "gets more out of what she has than any player in the area" said Lancers coach Tom Mazzie. Few second basemen possess her range. Committed to John Carroll College in Ohio. Weight room work has made her a dangerous hitter, batting .440 with 12 doubles, 3 homers, 37 RBI and 33 runs scored. "When she hits the ball," Mazzie said, "she hits it as hard as anybody out there."
Mary Connolly
West Chicago
As dominant a pitcher as there is in DuPage County, this junior committed to DePaul. She went 24-8 with 1.22 ERA and an area-best 238 strikeouts in 213 innings. At the plate Connolly hit .398 with 12 doubles, 7 homers, 39 RBI and 22 runs scored, leading West Chicago to its second DVC title in three years and second sectional final in that span. "She's one of the top pitchers I've ever coached," Wildcats coach Emily Johnson said. "She exudes confidence on the mound and brings that confidence to her teammates."
Elaine Heflin
Downers Grove North
One opposing coach said of this freshman, "She just has a presence on the mound." A blazing riseball doesn't hurt. Splitting pitching duties with Kendall Ryndak, Heflin burst on the scene with a 11-2 record, 0.92 ERA and 212 strikeouts in just 114 innings. She missed nearly a month with torn cartilage in her rib cage. She struck out 20 in a shutout of Prospect. "Next year the sky is the limit," Trojans coach Mark Magro said.
Colleen Hohman
Neuqua Valley
The Kansas recruit swung a big bat in the Wildcats' cleanup spot, hitting .509 with 10 homers, 11 doubles, 42 RBI and 27 runs scored. The senior got hot on the mound when Neuqua needed her most, shutting out Plainfield South and beating Plainfield Central 3-1 to win the school's first regional title since 2003. "I had all the confidence in the world that she'd come through when we needed her to," Neuqua coach Elaina Tanaka said.
Alyssa Jasinski
Glenbard North
The junior third baseman with a natural line-drive swing added increased power. The cleanup hitter batted .439 with 15 doubles, 2 triples, 6 homers, 38 RBI and scored 34 runs. She had a great glove at third for the 20-9 DVC runner-up. "She has put up bigger years each year and continues to grow as a player," Panthers coach Josh Sanew said. "She has great gap power and plays the game with everything she has."
Katy LaCivita
Downers Grove South
One of the better catchers in the state, this sophomore moved from the outfield to behind the plate this spring. LaCivita hit .398 with 8 homers, 13 doubles, 36 runs scored and 33 RBI. She hit .692 in the first four playoff games, leading the Mustangs to the sectional championship. "It's hard to believe she's only a sophomore," coach Ron Havelka said. "Big bat, tremendous throwing arm and a student of the game. She's a gamer."
Brianna Meath
Glenbard South
Raiders coach Julie Fonda said, "for a leadoff kid who hates hitting leadoff, she does it pretty well." That's an understatement. The sophomore second baseman hit a team-high .417 with 41 runs scored and 48 hits, with 10 doubles, 3 triples and 19 stolen bases. She also drove in 26 runs. At second Meath committed just 6 errors for the 32-4 Raiders. "Anything I ask her to do she does," Fonda said. "I see nothing but great things ahead of her."
Jenna Marsalli
Neuqua Valley
The Daily Herald All-Area captain, this senior shortstop committed to UIC. The four-year varsity starter hit .488 as a senior with 11 homers, 48 RBI, 10 doubles, 4 triples and 53 runs scored. Marsalli committed just 5 errors for the regional champion Wildcats. "She will leave a legacy at Neuqua Valley, that's for sure," said Wildcats coach Elaina Tanaka. "She has an amazing work ethic. Other kids see that and want to be like her."
Sammy Marshall
Naperville North
A game-changer with blinding speed, is this Huskies junior. Marshall hit .586 with 49 stolen bases, both tops in the area, and scored 42 runs. The Western Illinois recruit led Naperville North to a program-record 20 wins, including wins over sectional finalists Downers Grove South and West Chicago. A great glove at shortstop. "We spent a whole practice preparing for her speed," Wheaton North coach Karen Calabrese said, "and she still ran all over us."
Marissa Mersch
Downers Grove South
A hitting machine, the junior center fielder's 74 hits shattered the previous Downers Grove South record of 62 and is the sixth most in IHSA history. With 181 career hits, Mersch is on pace to break the IHSA record 247. The leadoff hitter hit .532 with 20 doubles, 3 homers, 52 runs scored, 25 stolen bases and 24 RBI. Committed to Loyola. "She's been our catalyst all year," coach Ron Havelka said. "Her enthusiasm rubs off on the rest of the girls."
Jenny Nelson
Glenbard North
Batting practice displays were a sight to see - and that was just the appetizer for what this senior shortstop did during games. Nelson hit .451 with area-leading 12 homers, 7 doubles, 3 triples, 32 RBI and 34 runs scored while walking 19 times. She will play at Kirkwood Community College. "She's one of the best hitters that I've ever coached," Panthers coach Josh Sanew said. "She has a tremendous amount of power."
Mikayla Panko
Benet
A legitimate five-tool player, this junior center fielder and cleanup hitter hit .368 with 4 homers, team-high 12 doubles, 3 triples, 39 RBI and 34 runs scored. She matured into a solid leader for the 19-win team. Panko can go get it in the outfield and recorded 7 assists with a cannon of an arm. "Not many can throw the way she can, hit for average, hit for power and has the speed she has," Benet coach Jerry Schilf said.
Brie Pasquale
St. Francis
A terrific pure hitter, this sophomore second baseman batted third for the 22-11 Suburban Christian Conference Blue co-champs. Pasquale hit .564 with 61 hits - 15 of them doubles, 4 triples and 5 homers. She scored 53 runs and drove in 45. Pasquale committed just 4 errors. "She just loves to play the game," St. Francis coach Ralph Remus said.
Kendall Ryndak
Downers Grove North
Trojans coach Mark Magro calls this junior "maybe the most versatile player in the area." When Ryndak wasn't pitching she was playing right field, center or third base. She went 14-7 with 1.76 ERA and 176 strikeouts in 1341/3 innings. Ryndak also hit .407 with 17 doubles, 29 RBI and 21 runs scored as 28-9 Trojans set a program win record and won their first West Suburban Silver title since 1977. "She always did what's best for the team - you gotta like that attitude," Magro said, "and what a competitor."
Katie Talbot
Downers Grove South
A tremendous comeback story. After missing her junior year with a stress fracture in ulna in her pitching arm, Talbot went 24-3 with 1.71 ERA and 161 strikeouts. Talbot recorded eight shutouts, including a regional final win over Lyons Twp. and a sectional semifinal against Neuqua Valley. A steadying influence on the 30-7 sectional champions, Talbot will play at Elmhurst College. "She worked really hard to recuperate from her injury," coach Ron Havelka said, "and it paid off for her. She was lights out."
Jess Wilkes
Glenbard South
Raiders coach Julie Fonda said all year of this junior, "The kid has ice in her veins." Few pitchers possess the moxie of Wilkes, who made the transition to the 43-foot distance from the plate better than many. The Eastern Michigan recruit went 22-3 with 1.48 ERA, 9 shutouts and 170 strikeouts in 1742/3 innings. Wilkes also hit .333 with 25 RBI for the 32-4 Western Sun champs. "She grew up a lot this year," Fonda said. "She was capable of carrying us this year and really accepted it and wanted to take on that role."
Carly Willert
Lake Park
Decision-making on the field and tremendous instincts is what makes this senior third baseman great. The Eastern Illinois recruit hit .451 with 9 doubles, 4 triples, a homer, 21 runs scored and 18 RBI with 18 stolen bases. Defensively, few rival Willert's range and ability to come in on balls and her drive to dive for foul balls and bunts. "She makes fast people look slow," Lake Park coach Tom Mazzie said. "You can't replace what she has."
Paige Wilson
Wheaton North
The heart of a junior-dominated Falcons lineup, was this third-year varsity starter committed to Georgia. The shortstop hit .447 with 14 doubles, 5 triples, 5 homers, 30 runs scored and 25 RBI. Wilson hit .441 with runners in scoring position while striking out just 5 times. She also had a team-high 15 stolen bases for 26-11 Falcons. "She's the kind of kid that just makes your job a lot easier," Falcons coach Karen Calabrese said.
Alyssa Wunderlich
Naperville Central
Few pitchers were more consistently superb than this Redhawks junior. Wunderlich went 16-10 with a 1.39 ERA and 236 strikeouts for the 21-16 regional champions. She struck out 14 in shutout of Wheaton North and 15 in loss to West Chicago. Wunderlich gave up 2 or fewer runs in 12 straight games. She is committed to Southern Illinois. "Alyssa kept us in every single game," Redhawks coach Andy Nussbaum said, "and I think she'll be even better next year."
Bri Wyatt
Glenbard West
Fluid strides and a quick bat made this junior an ideal leadoff hitter. Wyatt hit .500 with 12 doubles, 36 runs scored and 19 RBI. She was aggressive on the bases with 37 steals in 39 attempts. Wyatt made a smooth transition to center field, replacing Jayme Hefler, and didn't make a single error with great range. Wyatt is a stellar 5.0 GPA student. "We lived and died by Bri most of the season," Glenbard West coach Mary McGrane said.
DuPage County All-Area Captains
1989: Ceci Rettig, Wheaton Central
1990: Angie Webb, West Chicago
1991: Kelly Matthews, West Chicago
1992: Kate Enochs, Benet
1993: Amy Elza, Downers Grove South
1994: Amy Thompson, Downers Grove South
1995: Erin Enzbigilis, Downers Grove South
1996: Marie Barda, Hinsdale South
1997: Marie Barda, Hinsdale South
1998: Mary McGrane, Downers Grove North
1999: Krisi Rossi, Downers Grove North
2000: Amy Krahula, Downers Grove South
2001: Jess Stephens, Glenbard South
2002: Lindsey Veselsky, Glenbard North
2003: Kristy Vanek, Downers Grove South
2004: Stephanie Blagaich, Lake Park
2005: Stephanie Blagaich, Lake Park
2006: Lauren Rohan, Benet
2007: Michelle Batts, Glenbard North
2008: Jill Trzaska, Glenbard South
2009: Hannah Santora, Glenbard North
2010: Jenna Marsalli, Neuqua Valley
Honorable mention
Izzy Bruce (sr., SS, West Chicago); Katelyn Conenna (so., SS, Immaculate Conception); Colleen Drennan (sr., C, Lisle); Lilly Fecho (so., P, Glenbard North); Kelsey Gonzalez (so., SS, Naperville Central); Bekka Houda (jr., P, Lisle); Katie Hunzinger (jr., SS, Downers Grove North); Julianne LaFleur (sr., P, WW South); Michelle Lisy (sr., 1B, Downers Grove South); Lara Mangialardi (sr., P, Montini); Amanda Mener (jr., OF, Neuqua Valley); Kelly Mieszala (sr., CF, Lake Park); Leigh Nebendahl (jr., 1B, Neuqua Valley); Kristy Santora (so., OF, WW South); Shellie Schaffer (jr., 2B, Benet); Tori Shipbaugh (so., SS, Montini); Danielle Trezzo (so., SS, Downers Grove South); Kelsey Ullrich (jr., 1B, Wheaton North); Caitlyn Warren (so., OF, Naperville North); Jenny Wittenberg (jr., SS, Glenbard South).
By Joshua Welge | Daily Herald StaffContact writerPublished: 6/11/2010 12:08 AMSend To:
E-mail:
To:
From:
Name:
E-mail:
Comments:
(0) | read | postBuzz up! Samantha Becker
Lake Park
Small in stature, this senior second baseman "gets more out of what she has than any player in the area" said Lancers coach Tom Mazzie. Few second basemen possess her range. Committed to John Carroll College in Ohio. Weight room work has made her a dangerous hitter, batting .440 with 12 doubles, 3 homers, 37 RBI and 33 runs scored. "When she hits the ball," Mazzie said, "she hits it as hard as anybody out there."
Mary Connolly
West Chicago
As dominant a pitcher as there is in DuPage County, this junior committed to DePaul. She went 24-8 with 1.22 ERA and an area-best 238 strikeouts in 213 innings. At the plate Connolly hit .398 with 12 doubles, 7 homers, 39 RBI and 22 runs scored, leading West Chicago to its second DVC title in three years and second sectional final in that span. "She's one of the top pitchers I've ever coached," Wildcats coach Emily Johnson said. "She exudes confidence on the mound and brings that confidence to her teammates."
Elaine Heflin
Downers Grove North
One opposing coach said of this freshman, "She just has a presence on the mound." A blazing riseball doesn't hurt. Splitting pitching duties with Kendall Ryndak, Heflin burst on the scene with a 11-2 record, 0.92 ERA and 212 strikeouts in just 114 innings. She missed nearly a month with torn cartilage in her rib cage. She struck out 20 in a shutout of Prospect. "Next year the sky is the limit," Trojans coach Mark Magro said.
Colleen Hohman
Neuqua Valley
The Kansas recruit swung a big bat in the Wildcats' cleanup spot, hitting .509 with 10 homers, 11 doubles, 42 RBI and 27 runs scored. The senior got hot on the mound when Neuqua needed her most, shutting out Plainfield South and beating Plainfield Central 3-1 to win the school's first regional title since 2003. "I had all the confidence in the world that she'd come through when we needed her to," Neuqua coach Elaina Tanaka said.
Alyssa Jasinski
Glenbard North
The junior third baseman with a natural line-drive swing added increased power. The cleanup hitter batted .439 with 15 doubles, 2 triples, 6 homers, 38 RBI and scored 34 runs. She had a great glove at third for the 20-9 DVC runner-up. "She has put up bigger years each year and continues to grow as a player," Panthers coach Josh Sanew said. "She has great gap power and plays the game with everything she has."
Katy LaCivita
Downers Grove South
One of the better catchers in the state, this sophomore moved from the outfield to behind the plate this spring. LaCivita hit .398 with 8 homers, 13 doubles, 36 runs scored and 33 RBI. She hit .692 in the first four playoff games, leading the Mustangs to the sectional championship. "It's hard to believe she's only a sophomore," coach Ron Havelka said. "Big bat, tremendous throwing arm and a student of the game. She's a gamer."
Brianna Meath
Glenbard South
Raiders coach Julie Fonda said, "for a leadoff kid who hates hitting leadoff, she does it pretty well." That's an understatement. The sophomore second baseman hit a team-high .417 with 41 runs scored and 48 hits, with 10 doubles, 3 triples and 19 stolen bases. She also drove in 26 runs. At second Meath committed just 6 errors for the 32-4 Raiders. "Anything I ask her to do she does," Fonda said. "I see nothing but great things ahead of her."
Jenna Marsalli
Neuqua Valley
The Daily Herald All-Area captain, this senior shortstop committed to UIC. The four-year varsity starter hit .488 as a senior with 11 homers, 48 RBI, 10 doubles, 4 triples and 53 runs scored. Marsalli committed just 5 errors for the regional champion Wildcats. "She will leave a legacy at Neuqua Valley, that's for sure," said Wildcats coach Elaina Tanaka. "She has an amazing work ethic. Other kids see that and want to be like her."
Sammy Marshall
Naperville North
A game-changer with blinding speed, is this Huskies junior. Marshall hit .586 with 49 stolen bases, both tops in the area, and scored 42 runs. The Western Illinois recruit led Naperville North to a program-record 20 wins, including wins over sectional finalists Downers Grove South and West Chicago. A great glove at shortstop. "We spent a whole practice preparing for her speed," Wheaton North coach Karen Calabrese said, "and she still ran all over us."
Marissa Mersch
Downers Grove South
A hitting machine, the junior center fielder's 74 hits shattered the previous Downers Grove South record of 62 and is the sixth most in IHSA history. With 181 career hits, Mersch is on pace to break the IHSA record 247. The leadoff hitter hit .532 with 20 doubles, 3 homers, 52 runs scored, 25 stolen bases and 24 RBI. Committed to Loyola. "She's been our catalyst all year," coach Ron Havelka said. "Her enthusiasm rubs off on the rest of the girls."
Jenny Nelson
Glenbard North
Batting practice displays were a sight to see - and that was just the appetizer for what this senior shortstop did during games. Nelson hit .451 with area-leading 12 homers, 7 doubles, 3 triples, 32 RBI and 34 runs scored while walking 19 times. She will play at Kirkwood Community College. "She's one of the best hitters that I've ever coached," Panthers coach Josh Sanew said. "She has a tremendous amount of power."
Mikayla Panko
Benet
A legitimate five-tool player, this junior center fielder and cleanup hitter hit .368 with 4 homers, team-high 12 doubles, 3 triples, 39 RBI and 34 runs scored. She matured into a solid leader for the 19-win team. Panko can go get it in the outfield and recorded 7 assists with a cannon of an arm. "Not many can throw the way she can, hit for average, hit for power and has the speed she has," Benet coach Jerry Schilf said.
Brie Pasquale
St. Francis
A terrific pure hitter, this sophomore second baseman batted third for the 22-11 Suburban Christian Conference Blue co-champs. Pasquale hit .564 with 61 hits - 15 of them doubles, 4 triples and 5 homers. She scored 53 runs and drove in 45. Pasquale committed just 4 errors. "She just loves to play the game," St. Francis coach Ralph Remus said.
Kendall Ryndak
Downers Grove North
Trojans coach Mark Magro calls this junior "maybe the most versatile player in the area." When Ryndak wasn't pitching she was playing right field, center or third base. She went 14-7 with 1.76 ERA and 176 strikeouts in 1341/3 innings. Ryndak also hit .407 with 17 doubles, 29 RBI and 21 runs scored as 28-9 Trojans set a program win record and won their first West Suburban Silver title since 1977. "She always did what's best for the team - you gotta like that attitude," Magro said, "and what a competitor."
Katie Talbot
Downers Grove South
A tremendous comeback story. After missing her junior year with a stress fracture in ulna in her pitching arm, Talbot went 24-3 with 1.71 ERA and 161 strikeouts. Talbot recorded eight shutouts, including a regional final win over Lyons Twp. and a sectional semifinal against Neuqua Valley. A steadying influence on the 30-7 sectional champions, Talbot will play at Elmhurst College. "She worked really hard to recuperate from her injury," coach Ron Havelka said, "and it paid off for her. She was lights out."
Jess Wilkes
Glenbard South
Raiders coach Julie Fonda said all year of this junior, "The kid has ice in her veins." Few pitchers possess the moxie of Wilkes, who made the transition to the 43-foot distance from the plate better than many. The Eastern Michigan recruit went 22-3 with 1.48 ERA, 9 shutouts and 170 strikeouts in 1742/3 innings. Wilkes also hit .333 with 25 RBI for the 32-4 Western Sun champs. "She grew up a lot this year," Fonda said. "She was capable of carrying us this year and really accepted it and wanted to take on that role."
Carly Willert
Lake Park
Decision-making on the field and tremendous instincts is what makes this senior third baseman great. The Eastern Illinois recruit hit .451 with 9 doubles, 4 triples, a homer, 21 runs scored and 18 RBI with 18 stolen bases. Defensively, few rival Willert's range and ability to come in on balls and her drive to dive for foul balls and bunts. "She makes fast people look slow," Lake Park coach Tom Mazzie said. "You can't replace what she has."
Paige Wilson
Wheaton North
The heart of a junior-dominated Falcons lineup, was this third-year varsity starter committed to Georgia. The shortstop hit .447 with 14 doubles, 5 triples, 5 homers, 30 runs scored and 25 RBI. Wilson hit .441 with runners in scoring position while striking out just 5 times. She also had a team-high 15 stolen bases for 26-11 Falcons. "She's the kind of kid that just makes your job a lot easier," Falcons coach Karen Calabrese said.
Alyssa Wunderlich
Naperville Central
Few pitchers were more consistently superb than this Redhawks junior. Wunderlich went 16-10 with a 1.39 ERA and 236 strikeouts for the 21-16 regional champions. She struck out 14 in shutout of Wheaton North and 15 in loss to West Chicago. Wunderlich gave up 2 or fewer runs in 12 straight games. She is committed to Southern Illinois. "Alyssa kept us in every single game," Redhawks coach Andy Nussbaum said, "and I think she'll be even better next year."
Bri Wyatt
Glenbard West
Fluid strides and a quick bat made this junior an ideal leadoff hitter. Wyatt hit .500 with 12 doubles, 36 runs scored and 19 RBI. She was aggressive on the bases with 37 steals in 39 attempts. Wyatt made a smooth transition to center field, replacing Jayme Hefler, and didn't make a single error with great range. Wyatt is a stellar 5.0 GPA student. "We lived and died by Bri most of the season," Glenbard West coach Mary McGrane said.
DuPage County All-Area Captains
1989: Ceci Rettig, Wheaton Central
1990: Angie Webb, West Chicago
1991: Kelly Matthews, West Chicago
1992: Kate Enochs, Benet
1993: Amy Elza, Downers Grove South
1994: Amy Thompson, Downers Grove South
1995: Erin Enzbigilis, Downers Grove South
1996: Marie Barda, Hinsdale South
1997: Marie Barda, Hinsdale South
1998: Mary McGrane, Downers Grove North
1999: Krisi Rossi, Downers Grove North
2000: Amy Krahula, Downers Grove South
2001: Jess Stephens, Glenbard South
2002: Lindsey Veselsky, Glenbard North
2003: Kristy Vanek, Downers Grove South
2004: Stephanie Blagaich, Lake Park
2005: Stephanie Blagaich, Lake Park
2006: Lauren Rohan, Benet
2007: Michelle Batts, Glenbard North
2008: Jill Trzaska, Glenbard South
2009: Hannah Santora, Glenbard North
2010: Jenna Marsalli, Neuqua Valley
Honorable mention
Izzy Bruce (sr., SS, West Chicago); Katelyn Conenna (so., SS, Immaculate Conception); Colleen Drennan (sr., C, Lisle); Lilly Fecho (so., P, Glenbard North); Kelsey Gonzalez (so., SS, Naperville Central); Bekka Houda (jr., P, Lisle); Katie Hunzinger (jr., SS, Downers Grove North); Julianne LaFleur (sr., P, WW South); Michelle Lisy (sr., 1B, Downers Grove South); Lara Mangialardi (sr., P, Montini); Amanda Mener (jr., OF, Neuqua Valley); Kelly Mieszala (sr., CF, Lake Park); Leigh Nebendahl (jr., 1B, Neuqua Valley); Kristy Santora (so., OF, WW South); Shellie Schaffer (jr., 2B, Benet); Tori Shipbaugh (so., SS, Montini); Danielle Trezzo (so., SS, Downers Grove South); Kelsey Ullrich (jr., 1B, Wheaton North); Caitlyn Warren (so., OF, Naperville North); Jenny Wittenberg (jr., SS, Glenbard South).