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GIRLS SOFTBALL: 5 QUESTIONS
LANIE CALLAGHAN Kaneland, Jr., CF Callaghan will be looking to build off a sophomore season in which she batted .500 with 28 RBIs for the Knights, who had 31 victories in 2012.
1. Can Kaneland build on last season’s breakthrough? Absolutely. The Knights return a strong nucleus of talent from last season’s 31-7 Northern Illinois Big 12 East champion, and players such as Allyson O’Herron (shortstop), Lanie Callaghan (center field), Lexi Roach (left field) and Paige Kuefler (third base) are poised to surpass a 2012 run to the sectional semifinals. “Hopefully, we have developed some confidence from last season that will carry over to this season,” Knights coach Brian Willis said. “We learned how to play as a team and win the close game last season, and hope we haven’t forgotten.”
PAIGE KUEFLER Kaneland, So., 3B Kaneland isn’t banking on a sophomore slump from Kuefler, although slouching even a little from a .541, 51RBI season still would be pretty solid. ALYSSA FERNANDEZ St. Francis, Sr., SS Spartans coach Ralph Remus touts Fernandez as one of the top shortstops around. She batted .571 with nine home runs and 44 RBIs in 2012.
OLIVIA LORENZINI St. Charles East, Sr., RF East coach Kelly Horan’s optimism for the season hinges in part on Lorenzini, a seasoned player with an impressive arm and power-hitting prowess. ANGIE MORROW Burlington Central, So., P Wisconsin recruit had 15 wins and a 1.62 ERA in her debut season, helping Central to 28 wins and a 3A regional title. LEXI PEREZ St. Charles East, Sr., SS A varsity contributor since her fresh-
SABRINA RABIN St. Charles North, Jr., OF/P Dual threat committed to Northwestern had 10 wins and a 2.20 ERA in the circle while batting .447 with 36 steals, helping North to last season’s UEC River crown. MAGGIE REMUS St. Francis, Jr., P St. Charles product collected 25 of the Spartans’ 29 wins last season, compiling a 1.35 ERA for the SCC Blue champs. KATIE RYAN Batavia, Sr., OF While Ryan’s home run totals weren’t as prolific in 2012 as in her sophomore season, the Dayton recruit still brings plenty of pop. The Bulldogs should need it as they break in a new pitching staff. KIRSTEN SEARCY Geneva, Sr., 3B Entering her fourth season as a starter, Searcy contributed a program-record 36 RBIs last season. She “looks great in practice,” Vikings coach Greg Dierks said. BRIDGET WEITZEL Geneva, Sr., OF Another four-year starter, Weitzel scored a program-record 40 runs last year, igniting an attack that looks to be just as ripe with run producers in 2013.
2. How does the UEC River race shape up? With returners including Northwestern-bound pitcher/outfielder Sabrina Rabin in tow from last season, St. Charles North likes its chances for a repeat. Equally optimistic St. Charles East and Geneva recognize the North Stars’ depth, but definitely believe they have what it takes to shake things up at the top. Geneva coach Greg Dierks has placed an added emphasis on defense, which has been a trouble spot in past seasons. At East, the Saints are eyeing the fourth season of at least 20 wins under fifth-year coach Kelly Horan. “North is kind of same-old, same-old,” Saints right fielder Olivia Lorenzini said. “They didn’t lose many girls, but I think it’s going to be a good competition.” 3. Who are some of the new coaches in the Chronicle area? The list starts in Batavia, where 12-year assistant Lupe Castellanos ascends to the role of head coach and happily inherits senior leadership that includes Katie Ryan, Sami Villarreal and Seleana Kweder. Burlington Central also finds a familiar face back in the dugout, as former longtime coach Wade Maisto replaces Cray Allen, who stepped down during the summer to take the head coaching job at Harper College. At Wheaton Academy, Paul Gagliano takes over a program that will shift to Class 3A this spring. 4. Is 50 stolen bases doable for any of the area’s top thieves? Fifty certainly is a round number and a benchmark for any player enthused about success in the running game, but a player would need to be part of a club that advances deep in the postseason to threaten it. St. Charles East’s Lexi Perez (40), Wheaton Academy’s Marissa Gagliano (39) and St. Charles North’s Sabrina Rabin (36) were among the steals leaders last season. Rosary’s Samantha Phelps also is a threat to run and is on base often. 5. Where do these freshmen get the nerve? The advent of travel ball and showcases has elevated youngsters’ development throughout the years. A handful of teams have promoted freshmen to begin the season, including St. Charles East, where outfielder Katie Kolb took the initiative to attend summer camp. “Right away, she was on the radar of, ‘Hey, this kid is going to be something special,’ ” Saints coach Kelly Horan said.
– Kevin Druley, kdruley@shawmedia.com
CLASS 3A/4A THREE-POINT SHOWDOWN STATE FINALS
Warriors’ Ruggles in 3-Point Showdown finals KANE COUNTY CHRONICLE PEORIA – Wheaton Academy sophomore boys basketball player Josh Ruggles opened his round in Thursday’s Class 3A Three-Point Showdown state final prelims at Carver Arena by swishing his first five 3s. He closed his turn by making seven in row, finishing with 13 out of 15 makes and entering this afternoon’s four-man finals on a roll. Admittedly antsy when he took the floor for his 45 seconds of fame, Ruggles immediately
released his butterflies as soon as he let fly. “Hitting that first shot really relieves your nerves,” he said. “After that, it’s just grab and shoot, and it really gets easier on yourself.” Ruggles traveled home to Wheaton shortly after shooting Thursday evening and planned to leave for today’s 1:45 p.m. Class 3A finals this morning. Turns out the commute was necessary for his preparation; the family has a regulation basket beneath their basement, an area with 18-foot ceilings that spans
just less than half the court. After traveling to Freeport for the sectional Showdown round – he made 12 shots there – Ruggles is used to a routine of occasional fidgeting during his rides. “They’re long enough where the whole time I’m not thinking about it. I can take a little pre-competition nap along the way,” Ruggles said. “But once you get about 20 minutes away, you start starting thinking about it.” St. Charles East sophomore Cole Gentry, Ruggles’ former
AAU teammate, charted his friend’s explosion while hoping to be part of the 4A championship field. Gentry made nine 3s, and would have been in the championship entering the fourth and final preliminary round of eight shooters. Two shooters had 10 and nine, respectively, at that point. Bradley-Bourbonnais’ Bennet Schimmelpfenning and Mundelein’s Quinn Pokora thwarted Gentry’s bid to advance when they both scored 11. “It was cool to get here and experience it, but I was kind of
disappointed to drive all the way out to Peoria and not make it,” Gentry said. St. Charles North junior Alec Goetz (six) and Batavia senior Mike Rueffer (five) also competed in the 4A prelims. Gentry said he and Goetz – who struck a quick friendship while talking before their sectional round – planned to remain in Peoria for today’s 3A and 4A state semifinal games. Aurora Central Catholic junior Sean Harreld made seven 3s in his preliminary round in 3A.
• Friday, March 15, 2013 *
MICKEY GOETZ St. Charles North, Jr., SS/P The twin sister of boys basketball player Alec Goetz – who North coach Tom Poulin just coached on the hardwood – brings plenty of versatility to the table.
man season, the Winona State (Minn.) recruit batted .326 and stole 40 bases as a junior.
SPORTS | Kane County Chronicle / KCChronicle.com
GIRLS SOFTBALL: PLAYERS TO WATCH