All-Area Softball Second Tem

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June 21, 2009

Second Team

� Liz Alberico, Wilmington, sophomore, outfielder: Two-year varsity starter ... All-conference in the Interstate Eight ... Batted .447 with 38 hits, 28 runs, 12 steals 4 doubles, 5 triples, a homer and 23 RBIs ... "Lizzy's probably the most athletic and fastest girl on the team," Wildcats coach Jack Skole said. "She's a hustler."

� Alexa Alfaro, Bolingbrook, junior, shortstop: Two-year varsity starter ... All-conference by the Southwest Suburban Blue ... Batted .404 with 25 hits, 9 doubles, 3 homers and 24 RBIs ... "She's our go-to player, on and off the field," Raiders coach Jean Ryan-Moak said. "She's a true leader who's very intense."

� Caitlyn Anderson, Plainfield North, junior, outfielder: Three-year varsity starter ... Repeat as second team all-area ... Batted .358 with 29 hits, 4 triples, a homer and 20 RBIs ... "She worked hard on her defense for this year and she didn't make an error," Tigers coach George Sam said. "Just a hard worker."

� Lexi Benson, Morris, senior, outfielder: Two-year varsity starter ... All-conference by the Southwest Prairie ... Batted .440 with 40 hits, 22 runs and 12 steals ... "Lexi stepped up her performance from last year," Redskins coach Amy Barr said. "She was our lefty slapper leading off and her bat came alive."

� Kristen Bexson, Gardner-SW, senior, third base: Three-year varsity starter ... All-conference in the River Valley ... Batted .350 with 28 hits, 19 runs, 5 doubles, 3 homers and 27 RBIs ... "She led our defense, too," Panthers coach Michelle Lardi said. "And she always seemed to be the one starting a rally."

� Dana Bowler, Lockport, senior, pitcher: Third year on varsity ... All-conference by Southwest Suburban Blue ... Finished 9-3 with 3 saves and a 0.92 ERA ... Struck out 128 ... Signed for Ferris State ... ... "Definitely our heater," Porters coach Marissa Chovanec said. "She can get the strikeout when she needs it."

� Maggie Cain, Minooka, junior, outfielder: Two-year varsity starter ... All-conference by the Southwest Prairie ... Batted .340 with 35 hits, 19 runs, 9 doubles, 8 sacrifices, 3 triples, a homer and 26 RBIs ... "It's her enthusiasm and desire," Indians coach Amy Saelens said. "We wouldn't be the same team without her."

� Colleen Cummings, Joliet Township, junior, first base: Second year on varsity ... Batted .383 with 31 hits, 15 runs, 3 doubles, a triple and 13 RBIs ... "Colleen's a very hard worker who never lets up," Steelmen coach Heather Suca said. "She's definitely one of our big leaders."

� Cara DeLange, Plainfield Central, junior, pitcher: Varsity debut ... All-conference by Southwest Prairie ... Finished 13-9 with a 1.48 ERA ... Fanned 135 in 133 innings ... "She had ACL surgery last June and got stronger as the year went on," Wildcats coach Anne Campbell said. "I think she'll dominate in 2010."

� Desi DeMarco, Lincoln-Way Central, senior, outfielder: All-conference by Southwest Suburban Red ... Batted .376 with 38 hits, 26 runs, 9 doubles, a triple, a homer and 17 RBIs ... Third team all-area last year ... Signed for Minnesota State Moorhead ... "She was our catalyst," Knights coach Dick Mandella said.

� Melissa Gunderson, Lincoln-Way East, senior, outfielder: All-conference by the Southwest Suburban Red ... Batted .359 with 23 hits, 10 runs, 9 steals, 3 doubles and 12 RBIs ... Signed for Bethel ... "Melissa is one of our best on the bases with her speed and being heads-up," Griffins coach Katie Meader said.

� Alyssa Invergo, Peotone, freshman, shortstop: Varsity debut ... All-conference by the Interstate Eight ... Batted .392 with 38 hits, 19 stolen bases and 18 runs ... "She's good to be a great ballplayer," Blue Devils coach Dick Visin said. "She has a strong arm, good range, and she's a smart player, too."

� Kirsten Luevano, Lemont, junior, pitcher/outfielder: Third year on varsity ... All-conference by South Suburban ... Batted .330 with 31 hits, 15 runs, 7 doubles, 3 triples, 3 homers and 26 RBIs ... Was 14-7 as a pitcher with 109 strikeouts and a 2.51 ERA ... "She's a good pitcher, but she gives us so much offense," Indians coach Chris Traina said.

� Kelsey McCarthy, Minooka, junior, first base: Two-year varsity starter ... All-conference by Southwest Prairie ... Batted .379 with 39 hits, 20 runs, 10 doubles, 3 triples, 2 homers and 24 RBIs ... "She did an incredible job on defense and has a great glove," Indians coach Amy Saelens said. "Hitting third speaks for itself."

� Layney Miller, Morris, sophomore, shortstop: Already a two-year varsity starter ... All-conference by the Southwest Prairie ... Cleanup batted .377 with 29 hits, 14 runs, 9 doubles, 2 triples, a homer and 22 RBIs ... "She's just a fun player to have around," Redskins coach Amy Barr said. "She's a clutch player."

� Nicole Norris, Plainfield North, junior, first base: Third year on varsity ... All-conference by the Southwest Prairie ... Batted .441 with 30 hits, 18 runs, 9 doubles and 15 RBIs ... "She raised her average about 140 points from last year," Tigers coach George Sam said. "And she has always been reliable in the field."

� Jill Reid, Lincoln-Way East, sophomore, outfielder: All-conference by Southwest Suburban Red ... Batted .341 with 30 hits, 14 runs, 2 doubles, a triple and 11 RBIs ... "Jill does a great job of sacrificing herself as our No. 2 hitter," Griffins coach Katie Meader said. "She can also bunt or slap for a hit."

� Kiley Southall, Wilmington, freshman, second base: All-conference by Interstate Eight ... Batted .450 with 36 hits, 29 runs, 8 steals and 19 RBIs ... Hit .543 in conference ... "As far as defense, she's one of the best in my tenure," Wildcats coach Jack Skole said. "Best hands, best feet, tremendous technique."

� Alanna Viken, Seneca, sophomore, shortstop: Two-year varsity starter ... Two-time all-conference by Interstate Eight ... Batted .343 with 7 doubles, 3 triples, 2 homers and 19 RBIs ... "We could rely on her in clutch situations," Irish coach Dan Stecken said. "She covers lots and lots of ground at short."

� Alyssa Vorel, Lockport, senior, pitcher: Two-year varsity regular ... All-conference in Southwest Suburban Blue ... Finished 12-2 with 2 saves and a 1.00 ERA ... Struck out 70 ... Signed for Illinois Wesleyan ... "Alyssa keeps the ball low and hitters off-balance," Porters coach Marissa Chovanec said. "She has an outstanding changeup."

Third Team

� Kayleigh Bertram, Lockport, senior, second base: Three-year varsity starter ... Batted .305 with 29 hits, 18 runs, 4 doubles and 17 RBIs ... Signed for Grand Valley State ... "She brought that stability to the middle of our infield," Porters coach Marissa Chovanec said.

� Leah Challenger, Lemont, senior, catcher: Two-year varsity starter ... All-conference by South Suburban ... Batted .322 with 28 hits, 11 runs, 2 doubles, a triple, 2 homers and 15 RBIs ... Signed for Robert Morris ... "She stepped into the leadership role," Indians coach Chris Traina said.

� Stefanie Churchwell, Joliet Catholic, senior, outfielder: Three-year varsity starter ... Batted .308 with 25 hits, 8 doubles, a triple, 2 homers and 15 RBIs ... First team all-area as a junior, batting .402 with 22 RBIs ... "She brought a lot of leadership to a very young team," Angels coach Dave Douglas said.

� Liz Dergo, Morris, junior, DH: Varsity debut ... Batted ninth in the order, hitting .338 with 23 hits, 10 runs and 10 RBIs as second leadoff type ... "Liz is very good at placing the ball and using her speed to get on base," Redskins coach Amy Barr said. "She creates a lot of runs for us."

� Kolby Hoffman, Dwight, junior, shortstop/catcher: Three-year varsity starter ... All-conference in Interstate Eight ... Batted .348 with 3 doubles, 3 triples, 2 homers and 15 RBIs ... "Kolby gives 110 percent every game," Trojans coach Dawn Fryman said. "She makes people around her better."

� Brianna Hickey, Joliet Catholic, senior, catcher: Two-year varsity starter ... Batted .305 with 26 hits, 6 doubles, 2 homers and 11 RBIs ... "She did a great job handling a freshman and a sophomore pitching," Angels coach Dave Douglas said. "She was great with both of them."

� Morgan Kramerich, Lockport, senior, outfielder: Two-year varsity starter ... Batted .313 with 36 hits and 24 runs ... Added 11 walks and 8 steals ... Signed for Ferris State ... "She was our fireball," Porters coach Marissa Chovanec said. "When she got on base, we tended to score."

� Kali Pasternak, Plainfield Central, senior, second base: Two-year varsity starter ... All-conference by Southwest Prairie ... Batted .333 with 28 hits, 19 runs, 6 doubles, a triple and 14 RBIs ... "Kali did a great job taking over at second base," Wildcats coach Anne Campbell said.

� Bryanna Phelan, Coal City, sophomore, second base: Second year on varsity ... All-conference by Interstate Eight ... Batted .305 with 40 hits, 36 runs, 4 doubles, 2 triples and 13 steals ... "With her speed at leadoff, she sets the table for our 2-3-4 hitters," Coalers coach Brad Schmitt said.

� Kate Pfeifer, Dwight, freshman, catcher/pitcher/shortstop: Varsity debut ... Batted .341 with 6 doubles, a triple, a homer an 12 RBIs ... Was 3-3 as a pitcher with 41 strikeouts and a 1.99 ERA ... "We moved her to cleanup and she produced at a number of positions," Trojans coach Dawn Fryman said.

� Danielle Reilly, Joliet Catholic, senior, outfielder: Two-year varsity regular ... All-conference by East Suburban Catholic ... Batted .300 with 26 hits, 2 doubles, 2 triples, 2 homers, 9 RBIs, 19 runs and 20 steals ... Signed for Bethel ... "One of the hardest workers I've ever had," Angels coach Dave Douglas said.

� Nicki Roed, Morris, senior, second base/third base: Two-year varsity starter ... All-conference by Southwest Prairie ... Batted .333 with 32 hits, 19 runs and 16 RBIs ... Signed for Millikin University ... "Nicki's so versatile we could use her anywhere," Redskins coach Amy Barr said.

� Cheryl Sendzik, Lincoln-Way East, junior, third base: Varsity debut ... Batted .304 with 31 hits, 19 runs, 8 doubles, a homer and 19 RBIs ... Verbally committed to Olivet Nazarene ... "Our defense would not be what it was without Cheryl," Griffins coach Katie Meader said.

� Ashley Sullivan, Lemont, senior, shortstop: Two-year varsity starter ... All-conference by South Suburban ... Batted .303 with 27 hits, 15 runs, 4 doubles and 12 RBIs ... Signed for Wisconsin-Parkside ... "She's an outstanding defensive shortstop," Indians coach Chris Traina said.

� Kelly Tobias, Lincoln-Way Central, senior, outfielder: Second year on varsity, first as starter ... All-conference by the Southwest Suburban Red ... Batted .328 with 7 doubles, a homer and 19 RBIs ... "She was our most improved player," Knights coach Dick Mandella said.

� Carly Tribbia, Providence Catholic, junior, pitcher: Varsity debut ... All-conference by the East Suburban Catholic ... Finished 9-7 with a 1.24 ERA and 92 strikeouts in 112 innings ... Also hit 2 homers ... "She became our go-to pitcher in big games," Celtics coach Jay Biesterfeld said.

� Lexi Southall, Wilmington, junior, outfielder: Third year on varsity ... All-conference in Interstate Eight ... Batted .321 with 27 hits, 33 runs, 4 doubles, 3 triples, 3 homers, 14 steals and 12 RBIs "She's a tough girl," Wildcats coach Jack Skole said. "She played with bruised ribs, a tore-up knee and a bruised thigh."

� Morgan Vogt, Plainfield Central, freshman, pitcher/outfielder: All-conference by the Southwest Prairie ... Batted .294 with 25 hits, 18 runs and 17 RBIs ... Was 7-2 as a pitcher with a 1.51 ERA and 50 strikeouts ... "She did not play like a freshman," Wildcats coach Anne Campbell said.

� Becca Votta, Reed-Custer, senior, DH: Four-year varsity regular ... All-conference in the Interstate Eight ... Batted .340 with 14 doubles and 12 RBIs ... Struck out 120 as a pitcher ... "Becca did everything we asked of her and more," Comets coach Denny Pommier said.

� Aly Zembruski, Minooka, sophomore, shortstop: Varsity debut ... All-conference by Southwest Prairie ... Batted .302 with 32 hits, 16 runs, 4 doubles, 3 triples and 12 RBIs ... "She was our go-to girl defensively," Indians coach Amy Saelens said. "She was so smooth at short."