Northwest Indiana Top-10,

Week-8, 2009 High School 'Renegade' Poll

5-25-2009

A USA-365.com Special Report by Mark Smith

ST. JOHN (5-25-2009) It's win-or-go-home time as the state softball playoffs begin and we once again review the special rules for the post-season. Just like in pro basketball and pro hockey where you can hold, grab and trip the same people you weren't allowed to during the regular season, the state softball playoffs are slightly different from the very short spring regular season.

1. In the post-season, you only need one starting pitcher.

The softball post-season is unusually short. Teams like Hanover Central and Whiting only have to win four games to reach the state championship game (you have to win as many as seven in baseball). It's not time to try to be fair to everybody. If the first starter pitches a complete game shutout, put her out there again. Many very good teams (HC, Lowell, Boone Grove, CP, Hebron) alternate two pitchers. That's like Lou Pinella, who uses separate relief pitchers for one inning each, even if he's ahead 6-0. It's like you're searching for someone who's having a bad day. As long as someone is rolling up scoreless innings, leave her out there. Use your other starter as a relief pitcher. Lots of post-season games go into extra innings.

2. Take more pitches in the post-season

Softball players have a tendency to swing or slap at the first pitch. They don't really seem to know any theory of hitting. They just know the mechanics. Girls pitch 15 shutouts every year because they sucker the batter into swinging at the first pitch and are always ahead in the count. In the post-season, pitchers seem to have more trouble throwing strikes. I don't know if they get nervous or if the umpires concentrate more, but there seems to be a more consistent strike zone in the playoffs, especially after the sectional round. I'm 78 years old and I could hit a 2-0 pitch. Batters can be more patient, get ahead in the count in the post-season when the all the pressure is on the pitcher. Can I repeat that? In the post-season ALL THE PRESSURE IS ON THE PITCHER.

3. Run on everything

On good teams, most pitchers strike out 10 batters a game and there aren't many plays in the field. In the post-season, against better teams, there are more plays to make. That's why plays that get made during the season don't get made in the playoffs. You want to try to steal bases more. You want to go from first to third on hits to the outfield. You might even go from first to third on bunt plays. Don't get crazy, but the throws that would get you in April will be overthrown now. You aren't going to get 10 hits a game. You've got to steal runs. Just because you won playing a certain way during the season does not mean that style will win in the post-season against stronger squads. Late in the season, there isn't that much practice time and softball teams don't work on cutoffs, bunt and steal plays and relays as much as they want to. You can easily force errors.

4. Be conservative defensively

Make as few throws as you can. Any catcher who tries to pick a runner off first base should be water-boarded. That's a high-risk, low-reward play that almost never works. Constantly talk about where the tying run is. In multiple base runner situations, never try to throw out anybody but the tying run at home. Throwing the ball from the outfield to the plate gives all other runners an extra base. Unless that's the tying run. Just don't do it. On a bunt play, take the out at first base. If the other team wants to give you an out, please take it. Good teams have base runners that want you to throw the ball around. They're waiting for you to make an extra throw. Smart infielders fake a throw sometimes and catch eager runners trying to take the extra base.

5. Choke up on the bat

You are not going to hit a home run. Put the ball in play. As you get deeper into the playoffs, you will obviously see better pitchers. If you hold the bat down at the end and swing hard 12 times, you'll probably strike out four times. Choke up on the bat like it was Dick Cheney's neck when he's preaching torture. Players feel they've failed when they foul off eight pitches and then strike out. Even a seven and eight pitch at-bat that ends in a strikeout helps your team early in the game because it makes the pitcher throw more. This game may go more than seven innings. Step out of the batters's box. Take your time. You're going to be here all day.

6. Play like it's not over yet

During the regular season if you're behind 3-0, you can start planning what you want for dinner. In the post-season, there are a lot of 1-0 games but there are also more late rallies. LaPorte came from behind four times in row to reach the state finals last year. Try not go emotional about being ahead or behind. There's nothing to get excited about in the second inning. Most teams do not play wide-ranging, cutthroat schedules and they aren't used to pressure games. Most players are out of shape at this time of the year and they will get tired and wear down as the game goes on, especially on a hot day. It's not like the regular season where teams quit when they fall behind by three or four. The other side will let you back in the game if you don't give up.

For newcomers, remember that the Indiana state softball tourney has no semistate round. All regional champions go to the state finals. It's not anywhere near as hard to get there as it was in the 1990s. Almost any winning team has a realistic chance whether they think they do or not. Also, for those who are new to this poll, it doesn't end when the regular season ends. You're going to find out if these rankings are accurate because we will be back again after sectional and regional play. There's far too many questions that have not yet been answered. We can't take the rest of the year off.

1. LAKE CENTRAL (24-5)
25-7 (2008) 21-6 (2007), 25-8 (2006), 32-1 (2005), 29-3 (2004)

ST. JOHN: Lake Central lost 2-0 at Crown Point and got a half-share of the Duneland Athletic Conference championship, but the schedule, which included 4A No. 1 Avon, gives them the edge over Crown Point at this point. The LC losses are Franklin Central (17-6), Avon (22-2), LaPorte (19-7), Crown Point (23-4) and Lowell (18-10). The Indians will get a second chance against the Lowell Red Devils on May 26. The wins also include Penn (23-6), Carmel (25-3) and Harrison (16-7). The box score said they made six errors in the season finale, a 7-6 win over Griffith. I hope they were playing a lot of subs in that game. If they defeat Lowell, they'll win the sectional title. One of the truisms of sports is that people always want somebody NEW to win. Everybody wants the next big thing. LC, which has the best tradition, has the best record against the best schedule.

2. CROWN POINT (23-4)
18-11 (2008), 16-14 (2007), 13-14 (2006), 12-14 (2005), 8-19 (2004)

CROWN POINT: The Lady Bulldogs have had their greatest season... to this point. The 23 wins are a school record. The 2-0 win over Lake Central on May 19 was the first victory over LC in 11 years and it earned them a half-share of the DAC title for the first time in 17 years in the league. CP pitching had 17 shutouts and they allowed 24 runs all year. CP did lose 2-0 to Boone Grove, but that's not a shock this year. The losses are to Boone (20-6), Twin Lakes (21-5), Lake Central (24-5) and Portage. The problem with all this is that they have a difficult playoff path, opening with LaPorte (19-7). CP could see Portage and Lake Central again before the regional title game. Here's a team with two pitchers, Taylor Perry (12-1) and Jackie Beilfuss (11-3) who have alternated all season. Perry, who had a string of 21 scoreless innings in a row at the end of the regular season, will probably get the call with Beilfuss pitching in relief. CP won't feel too good about this season unless they, at least, get back to the sectional championship game. You worry about a distinct lack of playoff experience here.

3. HANOVER CENTRAL (21-4)
20-10 (2008), 20-10 (2007), 16-4 (2006), 26-5-3 (2005), 25-7 (2004)

CEDAR LAKE: Hanover turned back Boone Grove for the second time this season to win the Porter County Conference (PCC) tournament and they got the best possible draw in the Class 2A Sectional, which they host. The Lady Cats did lose 4-3 to Lowell, but they ended the regular season with 14 wins in their last 15 games. The losses are to Lowell (18-10), Andrean (21-7), Crown Point (23-4) and South Bend St. Joseph's (18-12). The rain-delayed PCC tournament knocked out late-season meetings with Whiting (21-4), Wheeler (23-2) and Bishop Noll (20-6). There is some confusion as to whether they have 21 or 22 wins, but it doesn't matter. Until they have to play twice in one day, right-hander Jessica Toth (10-2) will probably be the starting pitcher with Kelsey Jankowski (9-2) in relief, although most agree HC's best defensive lineup puts Toth at third and Morgan Austgen in centerfield. HC is looking at a sectional title game with Wheeler (23-2) and a regional semifinal with Boone (20-6), so their very short road to the state finals is a mine field.

4. ANDREAN (22-7)
18-10 (2008), 29-3 (2007), 26-4 (2006), 32-3 (2005), 29-5 (2004)

MERRILLVILLE: The Niners lost 2-1 to Illiana Christian and star pitcher Jocelyn Oppenhuis, who has over 1100 strikeouts in four seasons. The Niners swept the Bishop's Cup tournament in Mishawaka, winning games over Bishop Noll 1-0 and Marian 4-3, reversing earlier losses to the same teams. Nicole Steinbach struck out 15 against Marian (18-4-1).
Junior Alyssa Moseley (14-6) was scheduled to open the playoffs against Griffith. Andrean appears to be the strongest 3A team in the northern half of the state and they've played the schedule to display that. If any team from NW Indiana is going to reach the state semifinals, it is likely to be Andrean.

5. (4A) LaPorte (20-7)
2009 (20-14), 2007 (17-11), 2006 (16-11-1), 2005 (13-16)

LaPORTE: The Slicers lost to undefeated Homestead (25-0) and Elkhart Memorial (19-7) to finish the season. You have to play powerful teams if you want to succeed in the 4A playoffs. LaPorte's post-season will be decided in the first game, a rematch against Crown Point, a team that has already defeated the Slicers twice. LaPorte's lone advantage here is that they can evoke the spirit of last season when they were not favored to win at the sectional or regional level but did so. Teams play the 'underdog' role when they are facing superior competition. But if you don't mind admitting that fact, it can work for you. Truthfully, this team has played far better than the 2008 LaPorte state finalists to this point.

6. BOONE GROVE (20-7)
22-6 (2008), 16-11 (2007), 14-16 (2006), 9-19 (2005)

PORTER TOWNSHIP: Boone Grove stopped Crown Point 2-0, but they then lost the Porter County Conference (PCC) championship game 6-2 to Hanover Central. Pay no attention to Boone's 16-6 loss to Calumet Saturday. I'm guessing that with the post-season and potentially two games (a quarterfinal and a semifinal on the same day) just 48 hours away, that coach Andy Niksich rested both regular pitchers Roxanne Miniuk and Taylor Johnson. The Wolves have to get sharp again to beat Hebron in the sectional semifinals on May 25, but they have already stopped the Hawks twice. Boone has had some defensive problems in the infield, but they're playing at home in the sectional and that should help.

7. LOWELL (18-10)
20-10 (2008), 30-7 (2007), 23-7 (2006), 21-10 (2005), 20-9 (2004)

LOWELL: I thought Lowell had a nice run in the final week, defeating Hanover Central (21-4) to end the year. The Devils have an interesting pitching situation for the post-season because they have two radically different hurlers in right-hander Jacki Fletcher and lefty Lauren Wells. They will probably pitch both hurlers in all games because of the difference they can show batters. I thought Lowell's weak offense picked up in the late going. But they are matched against Lake Central in the 4A sectional semifinals, so there will be an early judgment day. But one of the telling statistics of this season is runs allowed for Lowell. Total runs allowed: 38 in 28 games. For a team that is 18-10, that's hard to do.

8. (3A) Griffith (14-10)
2008 (21-8), 2007 (16-14), 2006 (12-19), 2005 (19-15), 2004 (16-15)

GRIFFITH: Griffith is ahead of Noll and Wheeler on strength of schedule. They were 2-0 against Lowell and Munster and sophomore pitcher Alex Latronica is the clear cut lead starting pitcher going into the playoffs. The Panthers played everyone they could, including Wheeler and Lake Central. There is no substitute for that. Griffith's entire post-season will be defined in the first game. If they lose to Andrean, tough luck. Enjoy the summer. If they win, they could be headed for the state finals because they have faced tougher competition than they will see in 3A sectional and regional play. I'm still concerned about their depth, especially if they must play twice at the regional. But if one team is going to be a surprise state finalist (like LaPorte was in 2008), this is it.

9. Wheeler (22-2)
2008 (20-7), 2007 (25-4), 2006 (14-16), 2005 (10-18), 2004 (7-21)

UNION TOWNSHIP: In the final days, Wheeler took on 4As Crown Point (23-4), Lowell (18-10) and 3A Griffith. They had a game with Hanover postponed, but I like the aggressive nature of their non-conference schedule. This is the anti-Whiting theory. We'll take a loss or two playing good teams (the losses here are to CP and Boone) to steel us against the post-season, which is tougher than our league. Tall right-hander Lanay Parks (15-1) has allowed on earned run all year but the Bearcats must beat Bishop Noll (20-7) and Hanover (21-4) to advance out of sectional play for a probable rematch with Boone (20-7). Plus, two long bus rides to Cedar Lake for the Hanover Central Sectional. That's a hard, dusty road. But all 2A teams in this area are secretly worried about facing Parks.

10. (2A) Bishop Noll (20-7)
2008 (19-10), 2007 (9-19), 2006 (16-16)

HAMMOND: The Warriors lost to 3A private schools Marian and Andrean at the Bishop's Cup tournament in Mishawaka on the final day of the regular season. Again, it's better to lose to a state-ranked team than to wipe up the floor with weak sisters. Freshman Vanessa Hartzell allowed just four hits to Andrean in a 1-0 loss on Saturday. In the 2008 playoffs, Noll, the 2007 Sectional champ, defeated Wheeler and then lost to Hanover. I'm not sure they can score a run off Lanay Parks and they haven't played Hanover this year so I'm not sure they can get out of the sectional. But they played everybody they could outside their league including Andrean and Marian twice. During the regular season it's not about who you beat, it's about who you play.

On the outside looking in...

(1A) Whiting (21-4)
2008 (34-0) 2007 (26-4), 2006 (33-0), 2005 (11-16), 2004 (28-6)

WHITING: The Oilers roll into the sectional tournament as prohibitive favorites. Nobody else in 1A has Mel Dumezich (14-2), who struck out 22 in a 7-0 win over Kouts to finish the season Saturday. The only problem for Whiting is that Mel is so dominant and the schedule is so weak that the ball is never hit into the field. The Oilers did beat Hebron 5-1, but a game with Hanover (21-4) was postponed by HC's scheduling problems. So when there are plays to make, who knows who can make them? There's no way Whiting will lose in the Whiting Sectional. But once they hit the road, there could be issues with defense. Because of Dumezich's recovery from knee surgery, she isn't as likely to steal bases, so you can walk her three times if you need to. The Oilers might counter that by dropping Dumezich (9 HRs) to No. 2 or No. 3 in the batting order, making it more difficult for teams to simply walk her. Whiting disciples have a tendency to get overconfident. No. 4 Lakewood Park Christian (19-3), the team that eliminated Whiting two years ago at the regional level, has lost twice to 4A Homestead (25-0) so they're 19-1 against normal teams. The Oilers must play them in the Caston 1A Regional semifinals.

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