Post by Dave Betcher on Mar 27, 2007 11:46:47 GMT -5
While Shannon tries to walk in the shoes of her younger sister Erin - Hawks (14) - Erin promises to work with big sis and keep her up to the level she demands. Lauren Panek plays for our Hawks Festin 18's ...
By Ryan Lowry
Lemont Reporter
Wed Mar 21, 2007, 03:36 PM CDT
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Lemont, IL - For the past three seasons, when people have talked about Lemont softball, it doesn’t take very long for the name Suzie Rzegocki to come up.
It’s no surprise why, given the way the Purdue-bound senior pitcher has dominated.
Last season alone she had 21 shutouts, 12 no-hitters and a minuscule 0.169 ERA — not to mention becoming the single-season and all-time strikeout leader for the program.
Rzegocki will be the main focus of the Indians again this year, but the overall talent on the team should not be overlooked.
Senior shortstop Lauren Panek (University of St. Francis, Illinois) and senior second baseman Shannon Keefe (Radford University in Virginia) are two more Lemont players planning on continuing their careers after high school.
Add that trio to five other returning starters from a 29-7 team and it shows the Indians are more than a one-hit wonder.
“It’s always a pleasure to play with a player like (Rzegocki) and it’s to our advantage,” Panek said. “But it’s always good to have some good players around her because if something happens then we can still back her up.”
With Rzegocki on the mound and Panek and Keefe anchoring the defense up the middle, it makes it tough for teams to find any openings.
“Our infield is pretty good when we’re all there,” Keefe said. “The middle of the field is one of our strengths. If we all put it together we are going to be really good.”
And it’s something that is not lost on Rzegocki.
“I have a good strong defense around me and I’m just really confident that they can help me out when I’m in trouble,” Rzegocki said. “It’s great to know that there’s girls going to college and a lot of good athletes there around me.”
The feeling coming out of Lemont’s camp prior to the start of the season is one of confidence. The Indians would like nothing more than to better last year’s record and showing in the Class AA postseason, which ended with a loss in the sectional finals.
“I think we can go really far this season,” Rzegocki said. “Everyone has been working really hard and just the team spirit is so much better than past years. Everybody is just coming together as a team and it’s really good to see.”
But just because the talent is there, doesn’t always mean the success will follow. However, having players who know what’s at stake and who can keep each other motivated is something this year’s team possesses.
“We’re excited about the season and we’re trying to be committed and not take it for granted what we can do,” Panek said. “We want to use the talent that we have and we want to try and get further than we did last year.”
“All the players returning and all our lineup returning — if we don’t take it easy well be good,” Keefe said. “We can’t afford to think we’ve already made it to state. There’s a lot of good teams out there.”
Indians at a glance
Last year’s record: 29-7 overall (7-3 Suburban Prairie East)
Coach: Chris Traina (first year)
Home field: Lemont Sports Complex, 131st Street and Bell Road in Lemont
Top returning players: Suzie Rzegocki (P, sr.); Shannon Keefe (2B, sr.); Lauren Panek (SS, sr.); Torrie Mack (C, sr.); Hayley Bridwell (OF, so.); Ariana Challenger (3B, jr.); Sarah Forzley (C, sr.); Kristen Preissler (OF, jr.); Breann Schuh (IF, sr.).
Promising newcomers: Kirsten Luevano (P/OF, fr.); Lean Challenger (OF, so.); Brooke Twohill (1B, jr.); Monica Strube (OF, jr.).
Key games: Beecher (March 28), Oak Forest (April 17 and May 3).
Home opener: Beecher (March 28).
By Ryan Lowry
Lemont Reporter
Wed Mar 21, 2007, 03:36 PM CDT
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Story Tools: Email This | Print This
Lemont, IL - For the past three seasons, when people have talked about Lemont softball, it doesn’t take very long for the name Suzie Rzegocki to come up.
It’s no surprise why, given the way the Purdue-bound senior pitcher has dominated.
Last season alone she had 21 shutouts, 12 no-hitters and a minuscule 0.169 ERA — not to mention becoming the single-season and all-time strikeout leader for the program.
Rzegocki will be the main focus of the Indians again this year, but the overall talent on the team should not be overlooked.
Senior shortstop Lauren Panek (University of St. Francis, Illinois) and senior second baseman Shannon Keefe (Radford University in Virginia) are two more Lemont players planning on continuing their careers after high school.
Add that trio to five other returning starters from a 29-7 team and it shows the Indians are more than a one-hit wonder.
“It’s always a pleasure to play with a player like (Rzegocki) and it’s to our advantage,” Panek said. “But it’s always good to have some good players around her because if something happens then we can still back her up.”
With Rzegocki on the mound and Panek and Keefe anchoring the defense up the middle, it makes it tough for teams to find any openings.
“Our infield is pretty good when we’re all there,” Keefe said. “The middle of the field is one of our strengths. If we all put it together we are going to be really good.”
And it’s something that is not lost on Rzegocki.
“I have a good strong defense around me and I’m just really confident that they can help me out when I’m in trouble,” Rzegocki said. “It’s great to know that there’s girls going to college and a lot of good athletes there around me.”
The feeling coming out of Lemont’s camp prior to the start of the season is one of confidence. The Indians would like nothing more than to better last year’s record and showing in the Class AA postseason, which ended with a loss in the sectional finals.
“I think we can go really far this season,” Rzegocki said. “Everyone has been working really hard and just the team spirit is so much better than past years. Everybody is just coming together as a team and it’s really good to see.”
But just because the talent is there, doesn’t always mean the success will follow. However, having players who know what’s at stake and who can keep each other motivated is something this year’s team possesses.
“We’re excited about the season and we’re trying to be committed and not take it for granted what we can do,” Panek said. “We want to use the talent that we have and we want to try and get further than we did last year.”
“All the players returning and all our lineup returning — if we don’t take it easy well be good,” Keefe said. “We can’t afford to think we’ve already made it to state. There’s a lot of good teams out there.”
Indians at a glance
Last year’s record: 29-7 overall (7-3 Suburban Prairie East)
Coach: Chris Traina (first year)
Home field: Lemont Sports Complex, 131st Street and Bell Road in Lemont
Top returning players: Suzie Rzegocki (P, sr.); Shannon Keefe (2B, sr.); Lauren Panek (SS, sr.); Torrie Mack (C, sr.); Hayley Bridwell (OF, so.); Ariana Challenger (3B, jr.); Sarah Forzley (C, sr.); Kristen Preissler (OF, jr.); Breann Schuh (IF, sr.).
Promising newcomers: Kirsten Luevano (P/OF, fr.); Lean Challenger (OF, so.); Brooke Twohill (1B, jr.); Monica Strube (OF, jr.).
Key games: Beecher (March 28), Oak Forest (April 17 and May 3).
Home opener: Beecher (March 28).