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The prep softball season has begun, as teams begin their quest toward the state finals in East Peoria. Here is a preview of area teams:
BENET REDWINGS
Coach: Jerry Schilf
2017 record: 11-23
Top Players
Name Year Pos.
Lexi Potapczak sr. 1B
Elena Stevenson jr. P/IF
Megan Seranko so. P
Allison Regan jr. 2B
Outlook: The Redwings are young, with just one senior, and numbers are down with just 20 players in the program. Lexi Potapczak, who will play collegiatley at Tiffin, had a down year as a junior but hit over .300 her first two seasons. Elena Stevenson hit .355, tops among Benet returners, last year with seven doubles and 31 runs batted in. Pitching should be Benet's strength, but No. 1 Megan Seranko is out until at least the playoffs with an injured tendon in her knee. Another pitcher, Bridget Linders, is just returning from a concussion, and will share time in the circle with Stevenson.
"Once healthy we will compete," Schilf said.
DOWNERS GROVE NORTH TROJANS
Coach: Eric Landschoot
2017 record: 26-7
Top Players
Name Year Pos.
Jade Mejia Wick sr. OF/2B
Savannah Rodriguez sr. P
Maddi Greenberg sr. C
Mackenzie Bernhard sr. IF
Renee Bielawa sr. OF
Estelle Czech so. 1B/P
Outlook: The Trojans graduated three seniors playing collegiately, two at the Division I level, off last year's team that lost in extra innings in the sectional final to West Aurora, but do return seven seniors, five of them committed collegiately, who have had much success. Western Illinois recruit Savannah Rodriguez and Estelle Czech, all-conference as a freshman and already with Division I offers, lead a group of four strong pitchers.
"We should ve very solid," Landschoot said. "Strong offense, four strong pitchers, solid defense."
DOWNERS GROVE SOUTH MUSTANGS
Coach: Lauren Berg
2017 record: 18-13
Top Players
Name Year Pos.
Lindsey Herrmann sr. 1B/OF
Randi McKay jr. P/2B/OF
Kara McKenna sr. IF
Sarah Major sr. C
Maggie Greco jr. SS/3B/C
Samantha Krupa sr. OF
Rachel Davis sr. OF
Outlook: With seven starters returning, the Mustangs have much to build on after winning the West Suburban Gold in 2017. Berg said that much of Downers Grove South's strength starts with its pitching experience and its speed. The Mustangs' outfield is young and inexperienced, but not short on talent.
"Our realistic goals are to play explosive and relentless Mustang softball," Berg said. "We have a goal to win conference and improve upon our postseason showing from last season."
HINSDALE CENTRAL RED DEVILS
Coach: Brittany Wolski
2017 record: 12-10
Top Players
Name Year Pos.
Julia Chatterjee sr. SS
Eleni Tsokolas sr. 2B
Cait Doneske jr. CF
Mikayla Kamon jr. OF
Piper Huffman jr. 1B
Mary Grant fr. P
Outlook: The Red Devils are young, which will make the presence of fourth-year varsity starter Chatterjee and third-year varsity players Tsokolas and Doneske all the more important.
"We lost a lot of seniors," Wolski said. "It is going to be important for our returning starters to guide the younger girls on how to play at the varsity level."
Chatterjee, who will play collegiately at MIT, hit .355 last year with 27 runs scored, 16 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. Senior all-conference infielder Lilja Carden is injured and may not be back. Doneske hit .328 last year, Tsokolas .281.
HINSDALE SOUTH HORNETS
Coach: Kelly Van Hout
2017 record: 13-17
Top Players
Name Year Pos.
Madison Kern sr. P
Donna Stevens sr. 3B
Kaitlyn Little sr. 1B
Ellie Fichtelberg sr. 2B
Marissa Marrera sr. P/SS/OF
Jasmine Carlson jr. OF/IF
Outlook: With the entire team returning from last year's team that took second in the West Suburban Gold, the Hornets are ready to make some noise. Kern, who will play collegiately at Carthage, Stevens, Fichtelberg and Marrera are all returning all-conference players.
Two freshman – infielder/outfielder Molly Gricus and infielder/catcher Megan McGinley – are Hinsdale South's top newcomers.
"We need to be consistent on both defense and offense," Van Hout said. "Overall, I'm looking forward to this year with this group of athletes."
We are young and lost a lot of seniors last year. This year we are looking to come together as a team and learn how to play as one. It is going to important for our returning starters to guide the younger girls on how to play at the varsity level.
WESTMONT SENTINELS
Coach: Sue Zapinski
2017 record: 5-16
Top Players
Name Year Pos.
Emily Whitburn sr. 2B
Ashley Eiermann sr. C/SS/CF
Allie Kraft sr. 3B
Caitlin Ashcraft jr. CF
Maggie Durr so. SS/P/OF
Cassie Bogacz fr. SS/OF
Delanie Graziano fr. C
Outlook: The Sentinels do not have a returning pitcher that saw any sigificant time on the mound last year, so they'll lean on a strong group of hitters to score runs.
Ashley Eiermann is a four-year varsity starter, and Westmont's best all-around athlete. Emily Whitburn, a three-year starter, will play collegiately at Prairie State. Allie Kraft and Caitlin Ashcraft are three-year starters, Maggie Durr in her second year. Cassie Bogacz and Delanie Graziano should make an impact right away on defense.
"Our first few weeks will be quite a learning experience without a returning pitcher," Zapinski said.