Western Big Six Conference softball outlooks
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By Shannon Heaton | Saturday, June 14, 2008 |
The expectation is logical enough: After running the table in each of the past two years, Moline is expected to rule the roost in Western Big 6 Conference play again.
Yet, everyone in the Western Big Six can make something of themselves during the postseason, as United Township proved in knocking off the Maroons and Alleman en route to a sectional-final berth. Even Galesburg, which didn’t win a conference game, made itself dangerous at regionals against NCIC rival Geneseo.
“It starts with good pitching. That’s going to be a key to getting conference wins,” Panthers coach John Alonzo said.
“You’ve got to come ready to play, though. If you don’t, bad things will happen.”
That happened to Moline, though the Maroons look loaded in a conference in which youth will be served (eight 2007 first-team all-conference players, including five from the Maroons, return for this season).
The split to four classes will change how the postseason goes, however. Moline, UT and Quincy will all feed into each other in Class 4A regional play; likewise in 3A, Alleman, Galesburg and Rock Island — along with the Maple Leafs — will face off in regional competition.
“We don’t have to travel far, which is good,” Alonzo said. “But it doesn’t really change anything. You still are hoping to peak at the right time.“
Galesburg
Coach: Tyann Hintgen
Last year: 7-25, 0-10 in conference
Roster: Seniors — Darci Anderson (SS), Kelly Blucker (P), Janey Chanda (IF/OF), Jodi Cooper (OF), Cecilia Duenas (IF), Brooke Krisher (IF/OF), Jessica Markley (IF), Shelby Williams (OF). Junior — Katie McMahon (C). Sophomore — Dani Foreman (3B). Freshmen — Dorothy Mangieri (IF/OF), Kendra Wiechmann (IF/OF).
Outlook: There’s nowhere to go but up for the Silver Streaks, who showed signs of becoming a dangerous team during last year’s post-season series. Blucker continues to improve in the circle for Galesburg, but, again, she’s going to need help if the Streaks are going to pull off a conference victory this season.
Moline
Coach: Mark Gerlach, 16th year (ninth at school)
Last year: 25-10, 10-0 in conference
Returning letterwinners: Seniors — Erica Aten (P/3B), Kayleigh Atwell (2B), Abbie Covemaker (OF), Emily Hoague (P/1B), Susie Horn (C/IF), Rolanda Jacobs (IF), Bailey O’Brien (OF), Meg Schroeder (P/SS), Courtney Taube (P/OF). Sophomore — Olivia Aten (C/3B).
Promising newcomers: Juniors — Regan Gunter (OF), Molly Mitchell (P/IF), Kelsie Wilkins (C). Sophomore — Lillie Stone (IF).
Outlook: Three other schools return one all-conference player in 2008; the Maroons return five. Gerlach says that, for the Maroons to become as good as they can be, one of the senior pitchers needs to dominate this spring. It might be Taube that is the one, though Erica Aten, Schroeder and Hoague are all solid. Six of the seniors were on the 2006 Moline team that might be the state’s best-ever. This group is built along somewhat-similar lines.
Rock Island Alleman
Coach: Mike Ebner,
second season
Last year: 21-14, 5-5 in conference
Returning letterwinners: Seniors — Regan Albrecht (OF), Brittnee Ayers (P/1B), Shaina Fennesy (3B), Megan Noe (OF), Kelsey Strub (P), Lindsey Vaughn (C/1B). Juniors — Kayla Appleman (C/1B), Ansley DeVrieze (OF), Amanda Lambrecht (P/1B), Emily Kautz (C). Sophomores — Ashley Friedland (OF), Jessica Gilliam (SS), Ashley Schwenneker (2B).
Promising newcomer: Freshman — Hayley Johnson (IF/OF).
Outlook: With 13 returning letterwinners, and both Saturday pitchers back in Lambrecht and Ayers, the Pioneers might mount the most credible challenge to Moline’s league dominance. Fennesy has a strong bat, arm and glove, and Strub is more than capable of pitching on Saturdays as well. Going the 3A route might be the best thing for Alleman, which would have either Moline or UT, or both, to contend with in past years.
Rock Island
Coach: Steve Ebner, 28th season (17th at school)
Last year: 18-14, 5-5 in conference
Returning letterwinners: Seniors — Jillian Gibbs (SS), Kristina Hagan (OF), Ketty Klauer (2B). Juniors — Stacey Crosby (C), Kate Lang (3B), Ayla Serrano (P).
Promising newcomers: Juniors — Ashley Bebber (C), Ashley Roberts (OF). Sophomores — Shelby Hickenbottom (OF), Leanna Serrano (P), Megan Wilson (OF). Freshmen — Christina Beam (SS), Tracy Rade (OF), Ananisha Scott (OF), Chelsea Speak (1B), Taylor Walker (OF).
Outlook: Pitching, with the Serranos, is a strength, as Ayla was a first-team pick a year ago, albeit as an infielder. Gibbs will be one of the conference’s best leadoff hitters, and will anchor a solid infield defense. The key to the Rocks’ season may lie in finding consistent outfield play in a very young group.
Quincy
Coach: Barb Crist, fifth season
Roster: Seniors — Mackenzie Fairley (P), Danielle Fleming (OF), Lindsey Klesner (OF/1B), Raina Naderhoff (C), Kelsey Price (OF), Stephanie Schwartz (3B), Lindsay Womack (2B). Juniors — Mackenzie Davis (C/OF), Natalie Rossmiller (SS/OF), Erin Sieck (2B/OF). Sophomores — Christina Goehl (C/P/OF), Brooklyn Logan (2B), Jordyn Mecklenburg (1B/OF), Ashley Stollberg (C/OF), Courtney Sutherland (SS).
Outlook: Fairley has been strong, striking out 36 batters in her last three outings, but it’s always a wakeup call for the Blue Devils when competing against their northern conference rivals. Womack is a returning all-conference performer at second base.
United Township
Coach: John Alonzo,
12th season
Last year: 16-22, 5-5 conference
Returning letterwinners: Seniors — Andrea Dreher (SS/2B), Alison DeVilder (P/1B), Breanna LaFerrara (OF), Nicole Woodard (P/UT). Junior — Alyssa Busch (CF/1B), Elizabeth Dooley (OF/3B). Sophomore — Courtney Ledezma (P/SS).
Promising newcomers: Senior — Jamie Harrmann (UT). Junior — Hilary Kave (UT). Sophomores — Shannon Ballegeer (OF), Jolissa Tapia (OF), Kelsey Winter (C/UT). Freshmen — Jamie Coultas (P/1B), Paige Ford (OF/C), Haylee Krack (C/3B).
Outlook: Offense is a little bit ahead of the rest of the game for the Panthers, which Alonzo finds unusual, and a pleasant surprise. Look for freshman Coultas to join four-year starter DeVilder on Saturday doubleheaders for UT, though the Panthers return everyone that pitched at least one inning from a year ago. Busch is the only all-conference outfielder returning from last year.
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