Northwest Indiana Top-10

Preview, 2007 High School 'Renegade' Poll

3-24-2007

A USA-365.com Special Report by Mark Smith

CHESTERTON (3-24-2007) The word for 2007 appears to be 'freshmen'. After a year of limited strength in NW Indiana, not many coaches are willing to speak of who they have coming in. There may be freshman starting pitchers at Valparaiso, Crown Point, Wheeler, Hanover Central and Kankakee Valley. But the focus will be on three who return: Chesterton senior Dawn McClellan (22-1. 0.41 ERA in 2006) and Whiting sophomore Mel Dumezich (32-0, 0.42 ERA), both of whom led their teams to the state finals, and four year star Meghan Gutierrez (18-7, 0.58 ERA) of Portage.

Chesterton and Portage clearly pace the big school Duneland Athletic Conference (DAC) and they will have three meetings, including an almost certainly decisive one in the sectional in May.

Whiting went 33-0 last year, largely due to Dumezich and the Lake Athletic Conference (LAC) Blue Division schedule, which had the Oilers face none of the other strong NW Indiana teams. It is my understanding that Whiting's schedule has not changed, so it will be difficult to judge the Oilers. They will not meet Chesterton or Portage or the LAC Black Division upper echelon, including Griffith, Munster, Highland, Andrean and Lowell. The most difficult hurdles for Whiting appear to be Wheeler, Pioneer, Calumet, Gavit and Hanover Central. The Oilers will face no one from the DAC or the LAC Black so it will be very hard for them to improve.

The big pre-season switch involves an unusual transfer. Kankakee Valley right-hander Jessica Dobson (8-12, 1.74 ERA) transferred to Lake Central last fall and will split time with hard-throwing Rachel Weaver for LC. Valpo shortstop Brittany Kubal transferred to South Central where she will start at shortstop. Gavit says that freshman right-hander Roxanne Miniuk can throw 60 miles-an-hour which will be make her an instant winner in the LAC Blue.

Understand that if you hear someone in high school softball talk personnel and they're not discussing the pitcher or catcher, it really doesn't matter than much. It is hugely a pitcher-driven game and a freshman can make a major difference. I'll say it again. High school softball is screwed up because the girls have outgrown the game. When there are a grand total of 19 hits combined by ALL EIGHT teams in ALL FOUR state title games, (as there was last year) you have a fundamental problem with your sport.

The answer is obvious. Play softball at grown up distances. Move the space between the pitcher and the batter to the length it is at the college level. Stop having adult-sized girls play at Peter Pan distances. You can't have unproven freshmen going 32-0 and another girl pitching eight no-hitters and have a 'team' sport that a lot of people want to watch. The mismatch between pitcher and batter is only going to get worse and coaches have to do something.

This is an improving year in girls softball but it is very much a 'Season on the Brink'. Next year, the LAC breaks up and almost all the sectionals change in a all the classes. That announcement will come in the next couple of weeks.

1. (4A) Chesterton (0-0)
30-2 (2006), 27-3-1 (2005), 20-7 (2004), 22-5 (2003), 21-4 (2002)

CHESTERTON - The Trojans return as the undisputed No. 1 team in NW Indiana after a 30-game winning streak last season. Senior Dawn McClellan (22-1, 0.41 ERA) dominated against a largely 4A schedule. No one hit her all season. Martinsville won the state title game 1-0 over Chesterton. Nobody who saw all the teams in NW Indiana thought that anyone was better than the Trojans. First baseman Emma Lawson (.432) leads a strong attack. Chesterton is not a bunt and slap team and they can do a lot of damage early in games. Julie Farmer (.358) returns at shortstop. Kristen Mann, who was described as a question mark last year, is now considered a strong point. The Trojans defeated all seven of the Class 4A DAC teams twice. Five consecutive 20-win seasons speak for themselves and Chesterton's non-conference schedule is usually tougher than a school cafeteria pork chop. The Trojans face an early test Thursday, March 29 at 4:00 p.m at Lowell (postponed from Saturday's scheduled 11:00 a.m. game).

2. (4A) Portage (0-0)
2006 (18-12), 2005 (20-9), 2004 (27-4-3), 2003 (19-9)

PORTAGE - Portage is loaded at pitcher with senior Meghan Gutierrez (18-7, 0.58 ERA) and junior Olivia Leggett (5-2, 2 shutouts). This should be a big season with senior catcher Sammy Griffith (.315, 24 RBIs) and all-DAC center fielder Amy Sedoris (.280). The Indians' 2006 record should be judged in the context of three losses to No. 1 Chesterton, a 5-0 loss to defending 4A state champ Martinsville and a 2-0 loss to undefeated and 2A No. 1 Scecina. But the entire Indians' season can be summed up in one statistic. In 30 games, Portage was shut out six times and held to one or two runs in 11 other games. They scored only an unofficial 84 (2.8) runs. The Indians certainly worked on hitting last season, but they don't need many runs. Gutierrez might be as good or better than Chesterton's McClellan, but the Indians have never had the offense and defense to back her. Let's see if they have it this year. They'll need it. Portage plays in the Scecina tournament April 7 in Indianapolis, the Lakeshore tournament in Michigan and they will travel to New Lenox, Illinois to face 4,000-kid giant Lincoln-Way East. Good schedule.

3. (4A) Lake Central (0-0)
25-8 (2006), 32-1 (2005), 29-3 (2004), 32-3-1 (2003), 28-1 (2002), 30-4 (2001)

St. JOHN - LC lost three to Chesterton last year like everybody did, but they'll get three more chances this spring. Rachel Weaver (2-0) will be joined by KV transfer Jessica Dobson (8-12, 1.74) ERA), who will certainly improve on her record in St. John. Ashley Michalski (.259) is a 6-foot-1 first baseman and basketball lead guard Allison Aguilera will chase flyballs in center field. The pitching here is almost as strong as it is at Portage and Chesterton. LC plays Carmel, Brownsburg, McCutcheon, Harrison, Castle, Penn and Homewood-Flossmoor. And then, 14 DAC teams. I like tournaments more than I like regularly schedule single games (because in a single-elimination tourney you have to go all out in every game), but with that said, this is a very impressive schedule. The thing about LC is that they play no bad teams. LC dropped Hanover Central from the schedule a couple of years ago because HC, a 2A state contender, was not a good enough foe. That's the level this program is at.

4. (4A) LOWELL (1-0)
23-7 (2006), 21-10 (2005), 20-9 (2004), 13-16 (2003), 14-15 (2002), 21-9 (2001)

LOWELL - Hopes are high here with a strong senior class including twins Kelly (.468) and Michelle Johnson (.349). The strength is up the middle with CF Becca Nida (.348) and catcher Katherine Allert (.321, 21 RBIs) and outfielder Kristina Kuzma (21-52, .404). Lowell has some position holes to fill, but they should win 20 again in 2007 if pitchers Kaitlyn Bolanowski (8-1) and Alyssa Reed (7-1) are healthy. Lowell doesn't travel like Andrean, but they play all the top NW Indiana schools and six of the eight DAC schools including everybody in the first division. The addition of the Twin Lakes Invitational in early May last season makes this a much tougher schedule. The Devils always schedule late March games and started fast with a 9-3 win over Kankakee Valley Thursday (3-22-2007) and host Chesterton on Thursday, March 29 at 4:00 p.m. (postponed from originally scheduled date of Saturday, March 24 at 11:00 a.m.). There is a thought that this is the year Lowell breaks through against Lake Central at sectional time. But there is also the thought that this might be the last year Lowell is the same sectional with LC.

5. (3A) Griffith (13-19)
12-19 (2006), 19-15 (2005), 16-15 (2004), 18-14 (2003)

GRIFFITH - There are very high hopes here. Pitchers Lisa Worley (7-9, 1.99 ERA) and Brittany Bridges (5-9, 2.30) have been on the varsity for two seasons and outfielder Molly Orzechowicz (.488, 22 steals in 2005, ,429, 16 steals in 2006). I don't know who the catcher is, but they'll never have to put an inexperienced pitcher out there and that's the most important thing. The Panthers pay no attention to the regular season record. They know when the real games are played and they took a sub.-500 record to the regional last season. They add Katie Rone (6-0), who was undefeated as a freshman last year at Andrean. The Panthers will have offensive problems against good pitching. Griffith has won two consecutive sectional championships by playing a schedule that's five times stronger than their sectional foes. They may face a challenge from Gavit in the sectional this season, but then again, they may not. The Panthers always start slowly and finish strong. Kind of the opposite of the Chicago Bears.

6. (3A) ANDREAN (0-0)
26-4 (2006), 32-3 (2005), 29-5 (2004), 27-2 (2003), 30-3 (2002), 26-7 (2001)

MERRILLVILLE - Andrean plays a wonderful schedule, which includes five multiple team tournaments at Center Grove, Highland, Twin Lakes, Mishawaka Marian, and Dowagiac, Michigan. They were upset in the sectional by Kankakee Valley last year, but the 59ers have won at least 25 games for six years in a row. I'm not sure who the pitcher will be, but the 59ers are not short of candidates. Catcher Christina Caldwell (28-75, .373) plus run producer Tiffany Kendra (.312, 35 RBIs) give them a good base in the field. This team may struggle early due to the schedule, which begins early at the Center Grove Invitational on March 24. They have a top freshman pitcher in Alyssa Mosely, but no freshman is going to come in and dominate the schedule Andrean plays. Here is an example of how the top programs are not afraid to play the tough schedules even in years when they do not have returning starters. It's about having enough faith in your program that you can always compete.

7. (3A) New Prairie (0-0)
2006 (31-4), 2005 (21-10), 2004 (26-4)

NEW CARLISLE - Some don't consider New Carlisle to be in Northwest Indiana, but they are in LaPorte County so they are eligible to be in this poll. The NPHS team lost the state 3A championship game last year and they return most of the squad. The Cougars return senior pitcher Becky Sheedy (15-4) and soph pitcher Olivia Findley (10-0) along with Lee Ann Collins (10 HRs, 50 RBIs). I don't expect them to win 30 games again because they had some one-run success in the state tournament that will be difficult to duplicate. New Prairie plays in a conference which has a lot of schools smaller than they are. In non-league games, they play all the South Bend city schools (including powerful Washington) and St. Joseph's. They'll host Crown Point on March 27 and they play in the tournament hosted by big neighbor LaPorte. Considering the last three seasons, the schedule could use an upgrade, but it's okay. It might be a stretch to rate them above Munster. The Mustangs may have freshmen that will lift them above NP, but until you play a varsity game, freshmen and JV pitchers don't count in this poll.

7. (4A) Munster (0-0)
22-7 (2006), 25-3-1 (2005), 25-3-1 (2004), 22-7 (2003), 15-12 (2002), 23-10 (2001)

MUNSTER - Munster lost all its experienced pitching from last season, but they reportedly have above average hurlers. They also have an above average third baseman in Hallie Gibbs (.356, 4 HRs, 25 RBIs), who has 15 career home runs in a big home ballpark. Outfielders Katelyn Chovanec (.390, 14 steals) and senior Megan Paradzinski (.379, 15 stolen bases) should get on base and the double play duo of 2B Jessica Clusserath and SS Lauren Parker return. Assuming average pitching, the Lady Ponies will score enough to win most games. The LAC is down somewhat, but Munster plays a tough non-conference schedule that includes Lowell, Chesterton, Hanover Central and two tournaments. From what I read, they will find a pitcher who can do that 'average' (or maybe above average) job, but I rate them in the top-10 on offense and defense alone. This will be a fun team to watch, but it might be a little roller-coaster for the coaching staff.

9. (4A) South Central (0-0)
2006 (19-9), 2005 (21-11), 2004 (23-7)

UNION MILLS - How can South Central possibly be above Whiting? Well, where do we start? The Satellites have four four-year starters in the field not including Valpo's Brittany Kubal, who transferred last fall and will play third base. Senior Taylor Scarborough (7-3, 1.57 ERA) will split time with senior pitcher Kayla Wallace (5-5, 1.66 ERA). They don't play the schedule Munster does, but they play a tougher schedule than Whiting and the Porter County Conference will be much more difficult this season. The key player is senior catcher Nicole Schmizzi (.421) who can anchor this team if she stays healthy. On paper, this team is better than some of the squads ranked above them. They will play Whiting and will see the Oilers again in the regional. The Satellites have won two out of three games for the last five or six years. Entry into the Porter County Conference only chopped a couple of wins off the overall won-loss record.

10. (2A) HANOVER CENTRAL (0-0)
16-14 (2006), 26-5-3 (2005), 25-7 (2004), 25-6 (2003

CEDAR LAKE - Hanover returns four players who started as freshmen in 2006 including the double-play combination of SS Kara Gilbert (.321) and 2B Lindsey Thompson. The outfield of junior Anna Plassman and sophomore basketball star Jordan Kramer will be rejoined by senior Samantha Plant, who missed all of 2006 after knee surgery. Hanover has two highly-regarded freshman pitchers. But even if they struggle early, HC has senior left-hander Molly Fairhurst, who missed most of 2006 with injury. The two freshman are right-handers Kelsey Jankowski and Jessica Toth, both of whom were youth league stars. But the most immediate impact will be made by freshman Morgan Austgen, a top pitching prospect who has switched to third base because of a bad back. She will lead off and drop former leadoff hitter Gilbert to third which should juice up the Lady Cats' offense. There's no way to predict how the freshmen will do, because Hanover plays a half dozen 4A schools. But Fairhurst did pitch a victory at Bishop Noll last year. She's not exactly new to the game. Hanover plays Munster, Chesterton, Lowell, Crown Point, Munster, Whiting and South Central, the PCC favorite. On Thursday, April 19, HC will host Beecher, Ill. which has won 30 games three years in a row. They enter the LaVille Invitational on April 7 and the Twin Lakes Invitational in the first week of May where they consistently draw Lafayette powerhouse McCutcheon. Small schools need to play some big schools to get any respect.

11. (1A) Whiting (0-0)
33-0 (2006), 11-16 (2005), 28-6 (2004), 21-10 (2003)

WHITING - Whiting is the region's most debatable team. Many say, "I don't care who they played!! They went undefeated." Many others say they'll get credit as an outstanding team when they schedule outstanding teams. The Oilers return the NW Indiana MVP in soph RHP and leadoff man Mel Dumezich (32-0, 0.42 ERA) who hit nine home runs and drove in 31 runs in her freshman season for the 1A state champs. They have nine returning players, but that is a mixed blessing because they didn't have a great offense or defense in 2006. Most of the infield perimeter defense returns, but Dumezich struck out 346 in 32 games (10.7 of the 21 outs) so, to be honest, there weren't a lot of plays to be made. The new key player would appear to be Adi Cruz, who is slated take over for graduated LeAnn Martinez at catcher. That is significant. What will happen when teams do get runners on base? They will bunt and steal immediately to test the new catcher.

Whiting has a realistic chance to win a second state title and they could also win an undefeated second state title. You can ride a fastball pitcher all the way, especially in Class 1A. Especially with a schedule that is not strong. But the Oilers' weak schedule did not stop them last season and it may not stop them this year, either. Folks will quite rightfully criticize the schedule, but it is what it is. Whiting will be favored in every game. Many teams have found that the game is much harder when you are the defending state champion than when you are the underdog. But think about the 10.7 strikeouts every game. The ball never gets to most of the fielders. Greatness requires great competition and the jury is still out here. I'm already looking ahead to 2008 when, due to the LAC breakup, Whiting's schedule will change and they may face a more difficult schedule. Until and unless that happens, they have as much chance of being considered a great team as Heather Mills does of winning Dancing with the Stars on one leg.

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