Northwest Indiana Top-10 2004 High School Rankings: Week 2 4-7-2004
	A USA-365.com Special Report By Mark Smith

Week one was epitomized by Griffith, which shut out Valparaiso 7-0 and then was shut out by Merrillville and Chesterton.  What does that tell you? That you shouldn't pay any attention to the first week's results. There hasn't been anything you'd call a major surprise locally. The DAC obviously is much stronger with the addition of Lake Central and promise for winning seasons at Merrillville and Crown Point.

1.  ANDREAN (2-0)

A very strong start with dominating wins over St. Joseph's 12-1 and 3-0. Lori Knopf pitched a two hitter in the game one rout and Katie Ivancich smoked St. Joe with 11 strikeouts in game two. The 59ers collected 22 hits and committed just three errors in 14 innings. Andrean should be 4-0 heading into a double-header with 3A No. 7 Culver Military Saturday (April 10) at 11 a.m.

2.  Lake Central (2-2)

LC benefited from three games in the Castle Invitational. They lost 4-1 to 4A No. 5 Castle, lost 5-0 to 3A No. 2 Boonville and got a one-hit shutout from Stephanie Toyias to beat 2A No. 6 Clarksville. That's a great weekend. Three ranked teams. The results. LC came back stronger than dirt Tuesday. They laid the smack down on Crown Point 11-2.  Don't believe the hype. It's still Andrean-Lake Central and then everybody else. And in the DAC, there's a new sheriff in town.

3.  Chesterton (5-0)

Strong start for the two-time DAC champions. Who is Ashley Thomas? Ashley struck out 16 in her varsity debut, a 3-0 win over Marquette. Junior Laura DeLeon has four complete game victories including wins 4-3 over Lowell and 6-5 over Hanover Central. Trojan pitching has shut out Marquette, Griffith and Boone Grove. This is a pretty good offensive team. Defense hasn't been perfect but it's been cold. The LC-Chesterton matchups will be a regular season highlight.

4.  Portage (1-0-1)

Portage clearly has found a pitcher in freshman Meagan Gutierrez, who pitched four perfect innings in the late going to beat Lowell and tossing three no-hit innings against Highland. Coach Jeff Smith does not put many freshman on the varsity. The Indians also played two extra inning games (17 innings) in bad weather and made just one error. Portage looks like a DAC title contender.

5.  Lowell (1-2)

Lowell looks good. they played 'up' against DAC teams Chesterton, Portage and Valparaiso, losing 4-3 to Chesterton and 4-2 to Portage. Both games were extra inning battles which means the Devils are even with those DAC schools. Right-hander Cristin Just (1-1) is as good as anyone in the LAC and speedy trouble makers Carrie Shelhart and Liz Martin have been joined by freshman Kelly Johnson, a coming star. The Red Devils should be 3-0 but they've made 10 errors in three games, and that just can't go on.

6.  Munster (1-1)

Munster got on the board by beating Hanover Central 5-0 after a 4-3 loss to Illinois power Homewood-Flossmoor. The Mustangs will go the rest of the way with a new coach after Beth Vesa had to resign for personal reasons. Jackie Yerga had a homer and two singles at Hanover but Munster had only seven hits in two games and they have not seen top-level pitching yet.

7.  Highland (2-0-1)

Highland pitcher Stephanie Zimny struck out 10 in a 2-2 eight inning tie with Portage. She limits the need for good defense because the ball isn't hit into play. You can tell the LAC teams that want to be good, they played outside northwest Indiana or they play the DAC in the preseason. Highland's offense is still in question and there's no indication it's any better yet.

8.  Hobart (1-0)

Sarah Bodhaine is the one who could make a difference. She allowed just five hits in Saturday's 2-1 complete game victory over LaPorte. The junior also smoked out a two-base hit. This team will also have offensive problems but the pitcher is an overpowering key in prep softball.

9.  Hanover Central (1-9)

Hanover Central got what they needed when Amanda Wendlinger pitched six innings against Chesterton and then one more the next day against Munster, coming back from double knee surgery. Munster won 5-0 and Chesterton won 6-5 but Hanover isn't ranked above those teams and doesn't need to beat them. This is not a great hitting team, but indications are they might be better than last year. HC wasn't ready to start the season defensively with nine errors in three games and that has to get better. If Hanover beats Bishop Noll Saturday, look for them to begin a little winning streak heading into the game at Lowell on April 21.

10.  Merrillville  (2-0)

A big mover but it was suspected they'd rise. Heather Zurek and Amy Vargas combined for a 3-hit shutout against Griffith winning 5-0. The Pirates did not make an error in two games. Vargas, a freshman, has struck out eight in six innings. But Lake Station and Griffith are not the teams Merrillville has to beat.


On the rise...........

Griffith (1-2)

The Panthers hinted that they were better with a 7-0 win over Valparaiso but Valpo is 1-2. The losses to Merrillville (2-0) and Chesterton (5-0) might say more. Left-handed senior Jessica Banke (1-1) has developed as pitcher but the Panthers are offensively challenged. Still, Griffith plays the schedule that will take them higher. In the LAC, only Andrean and Lowell play tougher schedules.

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