Northwest Indiana Top-10

Pre-season 2004 High School Rankings

4-1-2004

A USA-365.com Special Report By Mark Smith

There isn't all that much depth in softball in this area. The same teams are good all the time and truthfully, the top two teams haven't changed for four years. There doesn't appear to be a team, with possibly the exception of Merrillville, that's going to go from 5-15 to 15-5.  If there is a surprise that actually began last year, it might be Hebron or the introduction of South Central (a new PCC member but longtime softball power) to Lake and Porter County.

 

1.  ANDREAN (26-2-1)

Andrean lost four very good players to graduation but that's all they lost. Junior Lori Knopf (7-0) is a hard-thrower who will find lots of success in the LAC. The 59ers return both catchers (Katie Gianinni and Samantha Markowski) from last year as well as Carly Rossner and Krissy Ivancich. The 59ers won so many by big scores last year that a lot of substitutes got to play. The 59ers still play the old independent schedule which includes games against Culver Military, South Bend (St. Joseph's), Benton Central and four tournaments (Dowagiac, Castle, Valparaiso and Twin Lakes) that will test them.  Coach Frank Podkul has always understood that you have to challenge everyone during the regular season to be able to challenge everyone once the state tournament begins.

 

2.  Lake Central (32-3-1)

LC starts with Katie Mitchell (41 of 104, .394) and Beth Adamski (42 of 110, .391) the 3-4 hitters in the lineup. The Indians will rotate pitchers this season, but exactly who will be in the rotation is not yet certain. Brittany Gard and Beth Toyias have not lost in backup roles and now they get a full shot. The new catcher Val Minyard, is a key. The LC schedule won't be as tough now with 14 games required in the DAC.   LC doesn't gain anything by playing LaPorte, Michigan City, Crown Point and Merrillville twice and they lose control of their schedule with respect to rainouts that must be replayed.

 

3.  Chesterton ( 22-5-1)

The two-time defending Duneland Athletic Conference (DAC) champions face a new challenge from two-time regional champ LC, a new DAC member. The Trojans won't give up the crown easily. Junior pitcher Laura DeLeon can win big if her defense, led by SS Holly Melton and first baseman Alicia Babcock holds up. DH Tiffany Hise adds power. they will only lose to top teams.

 

4.  Lowell (13-15)

Here's the big mover in softball. The Red Devils played four sophomores last year including pitcher Cristin Just (6-5). They will reap the benefits the next three years.  It is unlikely that anyone will shut this team out. Lowell will stack lefty slappers Carrie Shelhart and Liz Martin at the top of the lineup with Just batting third or fourth. Third baseman Amber Roberts will have a good year at the plate and another freshman, Kelly Johnson, appears to have the skills to play center field. This is the only team to beat state finalists Whiting and Hanover Central last year and they only lost 2-0 to No. 1 Andrean. The Red Devils have added the elite Twin Lakes Invitational to their schedule. This is a team on the rise.

 

5.  Valparaiso (18-10)

An absolutely stunning loss to Crown Point (VHS led 3-0 with two out in the seventh inning) ended the VHS run, which also could have reached the regional final. Four year pitcher Ashlee Blankenbaker (61-18, 4 years) graduates but Jill Keimach (4-1) did get time in 2003.  And Leslie Bryan (.421, 24 RBIs) returns at SS with Katie Ramirez at 2B with Jamie Doane in CF.  Valpo was hit by injury after injury last year and that figures to even out.  There's no great pitcher in the DAC so bats could rule.

 

6.  Munster (22-7)

Munster has to see this as the year they beat Lake Central at the sectional.  Lori (5-0, 0.72) and Stephanie Andjelich (11-6, 0.94)  join with Jackie Yerga (5-1, 0.77) to lead the pitchers while second baseman Dani Blair (.357) returns in the infield. Their schedule was weak last year and it has gotten better with the addition of H-F and Hanover Central.  Catcher Holly Ispas returns. There are freshman in the outfield but that's where you break in freshmen. Realistically, in softball, if the ball is hit to the outfield a lot, you're going to lose anyway. The left side of the infield is a key and it is all new but there's two months to get ready. The lesson that is very difficult for up-and-coming teams to learn is, again, during the regular season it's not about who you beat, it's all about who you play. Regular season wins and losses are for the ego.

 

7.  Highland (22-10)

I still cannot figure out how Highland lost 4-3 to Hammond high in the sectional last year. The key is, not to forget that. Whiting used the upset of the century, a sectional title game loss to Lake Station in 2002, to spring to the finals in 2003.  Highland returns star right-hander Stephanie Zimny (14-3, 0.93). But you can't win a lot of games 1-0 and 2-1. The Trojans must get more offense.  Second baseman Ann Kvarta returns as does catcher Carly Malicki. Two freshman may break into the starting lineup but a key may be sophomore Tina Traczyk at shortstop, the left side of the infield. As with Munster, the regular season is irrelevant.

 

8.  Portage (19-9)

Portage led Valparaiso 2-0 with six outs left in the sectional quarterfinal before losing 3-2. The Indians would have won the sectional and faced LC for the regional title.  Junior Amanda Massow is a .300 hitter as is first baseman Alex Hansen. Portage rarely used a backup pitcher last season as Cristin Zaragoza got 27 of the 29 decisions. Expect coach Jeff Smith to go back to alternating hurlers this season. There's no way Portage won't compete with the program they have.

 

9.  Hanover Central (25-7)

Junior pitcher Amanda Wendlinger (24-5, 0.33) will only be a part time pitcher in April after coming off major knee surgery.  That puts junior Kelly LaPota (.427, 34 RBIs) in the pitcher's circle. SS Bess Copak (.489. 35 RBIs) may not hit .489 again but she'll anchor the Lady Cats' lineup. But Wendlinger's .375 batting average won't be in the lineup a lot of times early on. Still, HC should hit better with third baseman Andria Trock and DH Heather Rebenek adding power while Trisha Sheehy and Rachel Williams add speed.  In 2A, this is a regional championship contender again.  Don't look for 25 wins but by mid-May, this team should be as good as they were last year.

 

10.  Hobart (20-11)

The Brickies return junior pitcher Sarah Bodhaine (3-2), who lost 1-0 to top-rated LC last year and 2-0 to Crown Point. The Brickies led CP 5-1 in the sectional championship game last season but lost 10-8. A lot of the offense off that team is gone but the Brickies won't be as slow a team.  The move from the DAC to the LAC is a major plus for them and Bodhaine, who shut out Lowell 2-0 and River Forest 11-0, is good enough to lead the Brickies to a wining season.

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