Plainfield's Kirkpatrick cited as Illinois' finest
The best with the bat.
The best with the glove.
Plainfield Central senior shortstop Stephanie Kirkpatrick has been named the Illinois high school softball player of the year by Gatorade. With the award, she becomes eligible for the national honor.
Kirkpatrick, who will play in the fall at the University of Michigan, batted .522 with 10 doubles, 7 triples, 10 home runs, 23 RBIs and 23 stolen bases.
Plainfield finished 28-3, won a second straight Southwest Prairie Conference championship and a third consecutive regional title. The Wildcats lost to Naperville Central in extra innings in the sectional semifinals.
Shortstop Cassie Redman, second baseman Gabe Gavoni and outfielder Courtney Dunker from the Knights will play for the Mizuno Blue squad, along with Lincoln-Way East outfielder Ashley Linhart. The Griffins' Katie Meader will be a co-coach.
Plainfield South pitcher Alyssa Schrader and catcher Mary Giancarlo and Coal City third baseman Carolynn Kratochvil will play for the Mizuno White, while Dwight pitcher Stephanie Humbert will play for the Mizuno Red. Joliet Catholic pitcher Amie Brown and Lockport catcher/outfielder Courtney Kutsulis will play for Mizuno Gray.
The schedule: Blue vs. White and Red vs. Gray at noon, followed by the third-place game and title game at 2 p.m.
