High school softball: Previewing teams from around the Suburban Life area

The softball season starts this week. Here are previews of teams from around the Suburban Life coverage area.

Downers Grove North

Coach: Eric Landschoot (eighth season).

2019 record: 23-8, 11-1 West Suburban Silver, first place.

Top returners: Payton Janicki, jr., OF; Kendall Cole, jr., IF.

Key newcomers: Maggie Ward, jr., OF; Jessica Cagney, jr., P/IF; Bridget Callahan, jr., P/1B.

Worth noting: The Trojans, winners of six regional titles since 2010, look forward to having another strong season in 2021. Landschoot said Downers Grove North should be able to put up some runs with some of the offense returning from two years ago. Janicki hit .244 with eight doubles and 15 RBIs and Cole .231 with a .500 on-base percentage and six RBIs as freshmen in 2019. Ward has great speed, plays a great defensive outfield and will hit at the top of the Trojans’ lineup. Cagney throws strikes and keeps batters off balance, and will be at the top of the Trojans’ rotation. Callahan is a solid pitcher and is a good bat in the middle of the lineup. A deep pitching staff gives Landschoot many options to turn to. “We might be bringing several freshmen up to varsity,” Landschoot said.

Downers Grove South

Coach: Jim Cushing (third season).

2019 record: 31-3, 12-0 West Suburban Gold, first place.

Top returners: Daly Garland, sr., SS; Brynn Dvoracek, sr., 1B; Jordyn Spencer, sr., P.

Key newcomers: Ella Cushing, fr., P/1B; Renee Nicholson, sr., OF; Alex Meyers, sr., OF.

Worth noting: This is Cushing’s third season as head coach, but his 29th season overall as a varsity softball coach. Downers Grove South has won eight regional titles since 2010, reaching the sectional final in 2019 with a team that hit 45 homers. Garland, a Central Methodist commit who hit .316 with three homers, six doubles and 24 RBIs as a sophomore, is the lone returning starter from that team. Roosevelt recruit Dvoracek hit .397 with three homers, seven doubles and 16 RBIs as a sophomore. Cushing is hoping for good things on the mound from Aurora University commit Spencer, who pitched JV in 2019, and freshman Ella Cushing.

“Obviously with everyone missing a year not a lot of varsity experience,” Cushing said. “A lot of games in a short time, it will be interesting. I think our players staying healthy is a key to our success.”

Fenwick

Coach: Sarah James (third season)

2019 record: 21-14, 7-5 GCAC.

Top returners: Mary Barshop, sr., C/1B; Ellie Young, sr., SS; Maddalena Krzak, jr., 1B/OF

Key newcomers: Talia Lorenzo, so., P; Allison Arispe, so., OF/IF; Maya Stathas, so., IF; Sophia Kruszewski, so, 1B/OF.

Worth noting: James is excited to see how her veterans from a 2019 regional champion play with a talented bunch of sophomores. Barshop, a Wisconsin-Platteville commit in her third season on varsity, hit .417 with a .986 fielding percentage in 2019 as a sophomore. Young, also in her third season on varsity, hit .385 with a .929 fielding percentage two years ago. Krzak is in her second season on varsity. James said her sophomore class, despite missing their freshman season, is “fired up, competitive and welcomes the challenge with open arms.”

“We are taking one day at a time,” James said. “I am changing how I lead and plan practices. This year, just rolling with the punches is the way to go. Our goals are still set high, We want to finish first in the conference. We also couldn’t be more thankful that we get a state series.”

Glenbard East

Coach: Victor Swanson (second season).

2019 record: 10-14, 8-10 Upstate Eight Conference.

Top returners: Anna Cameron, sr., OF; Katie Mulatz, sr., C; Ella Brooks, jr., 3B; Giana Raitano, jr., SS.

Key newcomers: Ally Block, fr., U; Sophia Opila, fr., OF; Ashlyn Stratton, fr., P; Raya Schwebel, fr., OF.

Worth noting: The Rams look forward to getting back on the field with a strong senior class led by returning starters Cameron and Mulatz, and Emily Ryan and Madison Zeimer. The left side of Glenbard East’s infield, juniors Brooks and Raitano, led the team in almost every offensive statistical category in 2019. Swanson said that this freshman class is possibly Glenbard East’s strongest in the last four years or so. He expects a number of them to contribute on the varsity level all season long.

“We have a lot to look forward to this season,” Swanson said.

Glenbard South

Coach: Julie Fonda (15th season).

2019 record: 24-7.

Top returners: Catherine Karr, sr., C; Jessica Sadorf, sr., 3B; Hannah Rafferty-Flatter, so., P/1B.

Key newcomers: Mia Lake, so., 2B/3B

Worth noting: The Raiders have been as consistently excellent as any program in the area, with 14 straight regional titles, five state appearances and at least 20 wins in all but one season under Fonda, who is 23 wins away from 400 for her career. She said that solid senior leadership and an all-around great attitude will take Glenbard South far this season. Roosevelt recruit Karr has a very strong arm and is a vocal leader, and hit .387 with three doubles, a homer, 15 RBIs and 15 runs scored as a sophomore. Sadorf hit .430 as a sophomore with seven doubles, five homers, 39 RBIs and 29 runs scored. Raferty-Flatter made the varsity team as a freshman last year and has a powerful bat with a great head for the game. Lake brings a high softball IQ, a consistent bat, speed and versatility.

“Missing a year was tough, but this group is ready to go,” Fonda said. “Powerful bats combined with some top notch speed will make us tough to handle offensively. As usual we will be solid defensively.”

Glenbard West

Coach: Mary McGrane (14th season).

2019 record: 12-18, 6-6 West Suburban Silver (fourth place).

Top returners: Kiley Koziol, sr., P/1B; Allison Ciero, sr., 2B; Stacia Gregule, sr., C/3B; Alexis Lopez, sr., SS/P; Ava Hartsell, sr., CF; Maddie Koslow, sr., C/3B; Jessica Mills, sr., OF/2B; Ella Herbert, sr., 1B/P; Ashley Foty, sr., OF.

Worth noting: The Hilltoppers are experienced with 10 seniors, five of them returning starters from the 2019 team who look forward to the opportunity to play this spring. Glenbard West will have experience up the middle with Gregule behind the plate, Aurora University commit Koziol on the mound, St. Mary’s University of Minnesota recruit Ciero at second base, Lopez at shortstop and Hartsell in center field.

Hinsdale Central

Coach: Brittany Zust (fifth season).

2019 record: 4-18.

Top returners: Lainey Harvey, sr., OF/1B; Mary Grant, sr., P/1B; Shannon Lynch, sr., OF; Brooke Bauer, jr., SS/3B.

Key newcomers: Allie Diaz, so., SS/2B; Paige Filips, co., C.

Worth noting: The Red Devils were a young team two years ago, with what Zust noted was a great deal of learning to do. Zust said that while Hinsdale Central did not have a season last year, those younger athletes are more prepared than ever to show what they’re capable of. Harvey hit .301 as a sophomore, Lynch hit .290 and Bauer hit .278 as a freshman in 2019. Zust is excited to add a middle infielder in Diaz who is knowledgeable about the game. Filips, only a sophomore, is a rising leader who will guide the Red Devils’ defense and offense.

“We have a few key seniors who will lead the younger girls with each game and practice,” Zust said. “One of our strongest assets is our team chemistry. Whether the girl is a freshman or senior, they all get along great and support one another. I am thrilled to get the season rolling and for these young ladies to prove themselves!”

Hinsdale South

Coach: Shannon Fuller (second season).

2019 record: 7-20, 3-7 West Suburban Gold.

Top returners: Abbey Lehan, sr., P; Megan McGinley, sr., C

Worth noting: Fuller, in her second season as head coach, finally gets to make her debut in the Hornets’ dugout. She’ll lean on the leadership of Lehan, committed to play at Aurora University, and Union College commit McGinley as the starting battery. Hinsdale South’s program has 40 girls total at three levels – but one goal. “Move the bus,” Fuller said. “I am excited to see what these players can do.” Fuller is likewise excited about the program’s Lace Up for Pediatric Cancer fundraiser. The proceeds will be used for local pediatric cancer treatment.

IC Catholic Prep

Coach: Frank Reaber (12th season).

2019 record: 19-14, 7-7 Metro Suburban Conference.

Top returners: Rebecca Cash, sr., P; Anna Maciejewski, sr., OF; Natasha DeRose, so., C.

Key newcomers: Frankie Cascella, sr., OF; Analisa Raffaelli, fr., SS.

Worth noting: The Knights have enjoyed tremendous success over the last decade with six straight regional championships since 2014, three sectional titles and a sectional final appearance in 2019. This IC Catholic team is very young; the Knights will have four freshmen who will be playing on varsity. Maciejewski is committed to play collegiately at Augustana. Cash and DeRose would have also been starters in 2020.

“We will have a decent year if we can adjust to playing on varsity,” Reaber said.

Lemont

Coach: Christine Traina (14th season).

2019 record: 24-13, 17-2 South Suburban Conference, second place.

Top returners: Maddy Wallace, sr., P/OF; Emma Kucharski, sr., OF; Lily Schuit, sr., 3B; Sage Mardjetko, so., P/OF; Kaylee Purgatorio, sr., 2B; Maggie Militello, sr., 1B.

Worth noting: The Indians have been a consistently excellent program with eight regional championships since 2010, and coming off back-to-back sectional titles in 2018 and 2019. Wallace leads the returning players. The Central Michigan recruit struck out 102 batters in 85.1 innings with a 3.44 ERA on the mound and hit .330 with 24 runs scored and eight RBIs as a sophomore. Kucharski hit .351 with 22 runs scored and 19 RBIs in 2019 and Schuit had a .368 on-base percentage with 14 runs scored and 11 RBIs. Purgatorio is committed to Lake Forest College.

“I’m optimistic,” said Traina, who could reach 400 career wins this spring with 376 currently. “We’re looking for a good showing in the South Suburban Conference and playoffs with the leadership of our seniors. Team is a blend of upper and lowerclassmen that are focused, dedicated and excited about this year.”

Lyons

Coach: Nicole Marinec (fifth season).

2019 record: 10-15, 5-7 West Suburban Silver, fifth place.

Top returners: Ava Kostecki, sr., P/CF; Lily Hanafin, jr., P/1B; Ava Paganis, jr., SS/3B; Emily Joseph, jr., 3B/SS/CF; Anna Bryant, jr., 1B/3B.

Key newcomers: Tess Meyer, so., C/SS.

Worth noting: The Lions are looking to build off the leadership of Kostecki, a lefty committed to play collegiately at Wisconsin-Whitewater. Kostecki should have a very solid junior-filled infield behind her with a blended age range in the outfield. Hanafin, who hit a team-best .393 with five homers and 23 RBIs in 2019, started as a freshman, as did Paganis, Joseph and Bryant. Meyer is a young but knowledgeable catcher quick behind the plate with a great sense of the field.

“We are eager to get out and play some games and look forward to seeing what these girls can do this season,” Marinec said.

Montini

Coach: Erin Bradarich (third season).

2019 season: 17-10, 10-2 GCAC, second place.

Top returners: Kora Navarro, jr., P/3B; Miranda BonDurant, so., C/3B; Amanda Wozniak, so., P/2B; Ava Franklin, so., OF/1B.

Key newcomers: Erin Grimsley, fr., OF/SS; Brooke Kuczynski, fr., 1B/OF; Taylor Utrata, so., IF/OF; Kristina Singleton, sr., SS/2B.

Worth noting: The Lady Broncos are a fairly young team, particularly with not having a season last year, with just five upperclassmen – two of them returning starters. But Bradarich feels confident in the abilities of those upperclassmen to step up and lead. Navarro will lead the team in the circle with Wozniak. Bradarich expects transfers Singleton (from St. Charles East) and Ultrata to make an immediate impact.

“We’re very excited to see what they bring to the table, especially freshmen Brooke Kuczynksi and Erin Grimsley,” Bradarich said.

Nazareth

Coach: Victoria Sobol (second season).

2019 record: 12-24, 2-14 East Suburban Catholic Conference.

Top returners: Ally Layne, sr., P; Emily Monahan, sr., 2B; Olivia Mardirosian, sr., P/1B; Toni Rodriguez, sr., 3B; Jamie Suppa, sr., OF/C; Brianne Chrzanowski, sr., OF; Gianna Lopez, sr., P; Amanda Myers, sr., P; Sam Glowacki, sr., C; Jazmyn Casas, jr., SS; Melisa Hadzic, jr., C; Alli Mangan, jr., OF.

Key newcomers: Ava Calderon, so., SS/2B/OF.

Worth noting: A large nine-girl senior class has been in the program for four years, and Sobol said they all feel a sense of unfinished business with the cancellation of the 2020 season still fresh in their minds. Monahan is playing collegiately at Loras, Mardirosian at Gulf Coast State College and Rodriguez at Lewis. Along with Layne, they’re all four-year varsity starters. Calderon would have been on the varsity team last year.

“The girls are even more determined and hungrier than they were last year,” Sobol said. “To say the seniors have made an impact on our program is an understatement. Every player in the class of 2021 has shaped who we are today: our culture, goals, and expectations.”

Riverside-Brookfield

Coach: Doug Schultz (eighth season).

2019 record: 27-5, 7-4 in Metro Suburban Conference, second place.

Top returners: Bella Garcia, sr., C/IF; Emily Bloom, sr., P/OF; Isabella Hillyer, sr., OF; Hannah Organ, jr., P/IF.

Key newcomers: Danika Apostolovich, jr., OF; Emily Organ, fr., IF; Zoe Levine, fr., C/IF.

Worth noting: The Bulldogs, a year removed from winning 27 games and making a sectional final appearance, are ranked No. 12 in the Illinois Coaches Association preseason Class 3A poll. Garcia, who will play collegiately at Maryville, hit .353 with six homers and 29 RBIs as a sophomore. Hannah Organ hit .380 with 30 hits and 19 RBIs as a freshman. Bloom and Hillyer are both committed to play at Triton. Schultz anticipates having a traditional R-B softball team that will hit the ball very well but needs to control the mental side of the game while limiting mistakes. He expects strong competition in the conference from St. Francis, Bishop McNamara and IC Catholic Prep. A tough non-conference schedule includes games with Marist, who beat R-B 1-0 in eight innings in the 2019 sectional final, Lincoln-Way Central and St. Laurence.

“We have a lot of unknowns leading into this season just like most teams in the state do,” Schultz said. “We have hopes to continue to push for a strong postseason run this June.”

St. Francis

Coach: Ralph Remus (23rd season).

2019 record: 29-4.

Top returners: Annika Norman, SS; Amelia Racky, sr., RF.

Key newcomers: Brooke Hartzell, jr., Grace Wanshek, jr.; Kylie Yonkus; Ava Swiatek, Sadie Racky; Taylor Austin.

Worth noting: The last time the Spartans took the field, they were taking second place in Class 3A in 2019 in the program’s first state appearance. St. Francis has enjoyed quite a run in the last decade-plus, at least 22 wins in every season since 2009. Most of the 2019 team has graduated, but Norman and Racky return. Norman, St. Francis’ starting shortstop and a Minnesota-Moorhead commit, hit over .500 as a sophomore starter. Freshman pitchers Meghan Suess and Natalie Doyle will be counted on to grow into their important roles.

“The team is young and inexperienced and will improve as the season goes on,” Remus said. “Our good defense should be able to keep us in every game and the offense will catch up later.”

Timothy Christian

Coach: Lindsay Slovey (fifth season).

2019 record: 5-15.

Top returners: Maddy Dejong, sr., C; Christina Sweich, sr., IF; Emily Slovey, jr., P/1B/SS.

Worth noting: The Trojans are looking forward to having multiple players return to the varsity roster. Having Emily Slovey back will be a huge help on the mound, and at the plate. Sweich, Dejong, Ella Robia, Greta Hoogstra and Kate Bradley are returning to key positions as well. Coach Slovey is excited that Timothy Christian is able to field JV and varsity teams for the first time in over a decade. “We are looking forward to a successful season,” Slovey said.

Westmont

Coach: Sue Zapinski (seventh season)

2019 record: 1-20.

Top returners: Delanie Graziano, sr., C; Cassie Bogact, sr., CF/SS; Makenzie Blaine, sr., P/SS; Kaitlyn Lauetig, jr. OF/IF; Mary Niemeyer, jr., OF/1B; Jordan Karesh, jr. 3B/C

Key newcomers: Grace Heiden, so., 2B; Hayden Bos, fr., IF/OF.

Worth noting: The Sentinels are playing in the Metro Suburban Conference for softball for the first time. Westmont will be short on varsity experience, with Graziano and Bogact the lone returning starters from their sophomore years. Graziano has been Westmont’s starting catcher since she was a freshman, and is a solid defensive player who will bat third or fourth. Bogact is another fourth-year varsity starter who will be Westmont’s center fielder and play some shortstop. Blaine will handle virtually all of Westmont’s pitching duties and bat cleanup. Zapinski said Heiden will be a solid addition to the infield Bos is athletic, energetic and is a versatile player capable of playing multiple positions.

“We have played several of the teams in our new conference in the past as non-conference games,” Zapinski said. “However I truly don’t know where we will stand in conference play.”

Wheaton Academy

Coach: Autumn Ratliff (first season).

Top returners: Emma Tate; Catherine Yu; Liana Conti; Kate Vu; Angelica Vonhoff; Kiley Morrison

Key newcomers: Riley Owens; Clarissa Alvarez.

Worth noting: Ratliff, who played softball at Wheaton Academy and collegiately at DePauw, is in her first year as an English teacher and coach at her alma mater. The Warriors will be playing a JV schedule this year with so many newcomers, but Ratliff said they have a lot of potential, especially with seasoned travel players. Yu is a senior in her fourth season playing at Wheaton Academy, Tate is a returner who will probably pitch for the Warriors and Ava Amato is another pitcher with softball experience. Alvarez, who will most likely play second base or shortstop, is a freshman with huge potential. Ratliff says Owens also has potential.

“I am expecting us to be competitive even with the new talent we have,” Ratliff said.

Wheaton North

Coach: Zachary Peterselli

2019 record: 7-23, 2-12 DuKane Conference.

Top returners: Lauren Vaughn, jr., 3B; Ellie Hubbard, sr., SS; Bailley Harveth, so., C.

Other players of note: Emily Sipowich, jr., OF; Gabrielle Langlois, jr., IF/OF; Serena Doty, jr., P; Skyler McRay, jr., IF.

Worth noting: The Falcons graduated seven seniors last year, but return five players to the varsity team. Leading the way is Hubbard, a Wisconsin recruit and two-time all-conference selection who hit .423 with nine doubles, six homers, 22 RBIs and 26 runs scored as a sophomore. Vaughn, who hit .413 with seven doubles, eight homers, 20 RBIs and 37 runs scored in 2019, is also a returning all-conference pick. With several younger players up on varsity, Peterselli said the Falcons are looking to capitalize on that energy and continue to improve throughout the season with talented older players who will provide leadership and stability.

“The Falcons look to build off of the team chemistry they began creating last season and have a competitive team in a strong conference,” Peterselli said.

Wheaton Warrenville South

Coach: Jeffrey Pawlak (10th season).

2019 record: 24-10, 10-4 DuKane Conference.

Top returners: Katey Pierce, sr., P; Maggie Reinert, sr., CF; Grace Butler, sr., RF; Leah Adamek, jr., SS; Emma Schusler, jr., 2B;

Other players to watch: Ella Krejci, jr., 1B/3B; Katie Jensen, so., 2B/OF; Marisa Lutes, so., OF/P; Josie Stephen, jr., 1B/3B/C/P; Emma Stephen, jr., 1B; Maddie Dickinson, jr., OF; Ellie Richwine, jr., OF; Cierra Claudio, sr., OF/2B/P.

Worth noting: Pierce, Reinert and Butler are starters back from the 2019 team that won 24 games and a regional title. Pierce, who will play collegiately at College of Central Florida, was 9-7 with a 2.37 ERA in 92 innings pitched. Reinert, playing softball at Wisconsin-Whitewater, started in left field in 2019, would have started in right in 2020 and now moves to center. Butler, also a UW-Whitewater commit, moves from left field to right. Adamek would have started at second base in 2020, and is now playing shortstop. Pawlak said that pitching will keep the Tigers in games and they’ll have to mesh as a team and learn strengths and weaknesses on the fly as they begin playing after just six practices.

“We have a smaller team this year but have some girls who are versatile and provide options,” Pawlak said. “Overall, this is a great group who works hard, but we’re pretty inexperienced in terms of varsity game experience. We’ve got some talented younger girls who are excited for their opportunity and it’ll be fun watching them grow.”

Willowbrook

Coach: Rachel Karos.

2019 record: 20-10.

Top returners: Caroline Dooley, sr., P/CF; Annemarie Knudtson, sr., C/2B; Caitlyn Kulczynski, jr., P/OF/2B; Kayla Neff, jr., P/1B; Madelyn Hayes, sr., 1B/DP; Grace Hayes, jr., 3B; Grace Chambers, sr., OF.

Key newcomers: Calli Kenny, fr., SS; Kayleigh Dennison, so., 2B/SS; Gwen Halik, sr., OF; Natalie Krichabaum, sr., OF; Katelyn Cox, so., OF; Stephanie Dasbach, sr., 1B.

Worth noting: Karos is excited about this season with a strong pitching staff, great defense behind them and an offense capable of putting up big runs. Dooley, committed to play at Briar Cliff University, hit .449 with two triples, two homers, 17 RBIs and 20 runs scored in 2019. Kulcynski hit .512 with 12 doubles, three triples, 27 RBIs and 30 runs scored and Knudtson .461 with eight homers, 33 RBIs and 37 runs scored. Neff, a fourth returning starter, had 25 RBIs and 13 runs scored as a sophomore.

Kenny is also a standout in basketball and volleyball, Dasbach a Winona State recruit for basketball.

“We have great team chemistry so far and a work ethic that will allow us to continue to improve throughout the season,” Karos said. “We will be playing a tough schedule this year and I’m expecting us to be able to hang and compete with the best of them.”

York

Coach: Brendan Holb (second season),

2019 record: 17-14.

Top returners: Lauren Derkowski, sr., P/1B; Rena Sotos, sr., C/IF; Molly Loch, sr., OF/IF; Lindsey Bingham, jr., IF; Emily Fujiwara, jr., IF; Kara Jensen, jr., IF/P.

Key newcomers: Mariann Blass, so., IF; Maddi Trann, so., IF/OF/P.

Worth noting: The Dukes are not a young team on paper, but they are a young group in terms of varsity softball experience. It helps to have a girl like Derkowski in the circle. The Michigan recruit is a preseason All-American and struck out 241 batters in 124 innings as a sophomore with a 2.196 ERA. She also hit .286 with four homers and two doubles at the plate, and previously led York to state as a freshman. Sotos hit .264 with a double and nine RBIs after being called up to varsity midway through the 2019 season. Loch, Bingham, Fujiwara and Jensen would have been starters in 2020. Blass is a two-sport varsity athlete with great instincts in the middle of the field and a mature approach at the plate. Tran is a mature, versatile player who can hit the ball hard to all fields.

“I expect us to have some growing pains after missing last season, but that will be most of the programs in the state,” Holba said. " After the way last spring ended up we have a lot of open positions on the field which has made for very spirited and competitive practices that will help us in the long run. This season our greatest strength is our pitching staff and if we can get it going at the plate like we expect to it should be a fun season!”