Softball season sneak peek

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MILESTONE REACHERS

Crete-Monee coach Sue Giannantonio is the area’s longest-tenured coach, entering her 29th season. Her career record at Crete is 441-336-3.

Richards’ Julie Folliard is entering her 25th season as the Bulldogs coach. Her career record stands at 570-220.

Aimee Lonigro, in her fifth year at Lincoln-Way North but 15th overall, is 12 victories away from the 300 mark.

UP THE LADDER TO THE … OUCH!

Lincoln-Way East sophomore Jenny VanGeertry definitely was on the fast track in 2012. After two games on the freshman squad she was moved up to the sophomore team. After three more games she was moved to the varsity. She finished her first varsity practice at the hospital getting stitches after running into a fence to chase down a ball.

10 PLAYERS TO WATCH

Kelly Christner, Andrew: Senior outfielder was a hitting machine as a junior with a .526 average, six home runs and 43 RBI.

Jill Galich, Lincoln-Way North: Senior first baseman/catcher hit .561, with seven homers and 50 RBI last season. She’s ticketed for George Washington University.

Alyssa Gunther, Tinley Park: Senior infielder not only hit .531 during her junior campaign, but made her hits count for more by stealing 40 bases.

Abby King, Crete-Monee: One of the area’s most prolific freshman hitters in ’12, the catcher/shortstop posted a whopping .570 with 19 doubles, 24 stolen bases, 57 runs scored and 52 RBI.

Candice Koch, Sandburg: As a junior shortstop, Koch earned the team’s “Excellence Award,” after putting up a .413 average, with 18 doubles, 32 runs and 28 RBI. Expected to be the cornerstone for the Eagles in 2013.

Emily Larsen, Oak Forest: If this senior finds control, could be one of the area’s most feared pitchers. Larsen struck out 241 in 165 innings in 2012.

Sam Magruder, Lincoln-Way West: The senior second baseman returns with numbers that include a .402 batting average, seven homers, 40 runs and 46 RBI.

Alex Nickel, Marian Catholic: The senior shortstop broke the school record for batting average in 2012 with a .558 mark. Along the way she socked five homers, with 42 runs and 38 RBI.

Kaitlyn Shereyk, Homewood-Flossmoor: Speedy and sure-gloved senior shortstop/outfielder hit .519 in 2012, with seven homers and 34 RBI. All-Area in both volleyball and softball.

Brooke Wyderski, Marist: Junior shortstop was the RedHawks’ most clutch producer of big plays both offensively and defensively during their playoff run to the Class 4A title. She finished the 2012 campaign with a .360 average, 10 homers and 41 RBI.

THEY SAID IT

Sandburg’s Jim Fabianski: “We have a lot of motivation to beat teams that stuck it to us last year.”

Tinley Park’s Wendy Podbielniak: “One thing’s for sure: I don’t think anyone in the region will count the Titans out anymore. You can bet we’ll be in the mix.”

Lincoln-Way North’s Aimee Lonigro: “We have more than half of our team that are heavy in the recruiting process or have already committed to play in college. There are a lot of lucky coaches out there.”

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