Northwest Indiana Top-10

Week 11 High School Rankings

A USA-365.com Special Report By Mark Smith

Before the season began we predicted Lake County could send three teams to the state finals. (We were right!) Here are our (6-11-2003) picks for the USA-365.com Week #11 High School Girls Softball Top-10 teams for Northwest Indiana:

1. LAKE CENTRAL (31-2-1)

Lake Central ran their winning streak to 20 in a row with a sweep of the Penn Regional. Brooke Baker struck out 21 in nine innings of a 1-0 win over Mishawaka to run her record to 20-2-1.LC struck out just seven times against Mishawaka fireballer Claire DeVreese. LC's Katie Mitchell (.381) was 4-for-4 against Riley (15-15) in a 7-0 regional championship win. Beware of Pendleton Heights (28-4), an elite team that lost only to 3A No., 1 McCutcheon, Hamilton Southeastern, 1A defending state champ Clinton Prairie and state finalist Center Grove. Baker will be challenged by a team that hit .345 against a top-caliber schedule.

2. ANDREAN (26-2-1)

Andrean lost 1-0 to Hanover to fall short of the sectional title but that doesn't look so bad now that Hanover's in the state finals. Katie Sheaks finished with 20 wins for the second straight year and she'll re-team with shortstop Cara Santori at DePaul. The 59ers are laded up for next year with sophomore Lori Knopf (7-0) coming back with four other starters.

3. Chesterton (22-5-1)

Chesterton lost to Hobart 3-2 in the Merrillville Sectional but consecutive DAC titles should not be overlooked. This team was inconsistent defensively behind DAC co-MVP Laura Langendorfer (17-5). They graduate most of their starting lineup.

4. Valparaiso (18-10-1)

Valparaiso still doesn't know how they lost to Crown Point after leading 3-0 in the final inning with two out and nobody on base. Ashlee Blankenbaker (14-9) ended her career with 61 wins (40 shutouts) and 18 losses plus 660 strikeouts in 564 innings with 10 no-hitters. Valpo has significant holes to fill next year but SS Leslie Bryan returns.

5. Portage (19-9)

Portage had an embarrassing end to their season, blowing a 2-0 lead with five errors in the final two innings and losing to Valpo 3-2. Cristin Zaragoza should get some all-area votes after an 18-9 season and 25 complete games. This is the first time in 10 years that Portage has not reached the sectional championship game. This program has plenty in reserve and they'll need it next year in the beefed-up DAC.

6. Hanover Central (25-6)

Amanda Wendlinger (24-5, 0.3 ERA, 280 strikeouts, 169 innings, 14 walks) has been consistently impressive all year and she held down West Lafayette in a 3-2, 13-inning regional championship game. Heather Rebenack (8 of 19, .421) has emerged as a key pinch hitter and Jacklyn Kienzle at second base has completed a strong infield defense. Bess Copak (.489) and Kelly LaPota (.427) have been consistent hitters. LaPota has a surprising 34 RBIs. Truthfully, however, the multiple-car accident that killed senior Todd Szayni late Sunday and injured many Hanover seniors including third baseman Cathy Homolka (.310), has ruined this season. The Lady Cats just need to end the year as quickly as they can.

7. Highland (22-9)

Highland pitcher Stephanie Zimny (20-7) returns next year and that could take the Trojans to the Andean-level of the LAC. Experience should help the Trojans be more of an offensive force.

8. Hobart (20-11)

Hobart lost the sectional final 10-8 to Crown Point despite 4-for-4 by Brandy Varga. The Brickies will have holes to fill at catcher and pitcher next year.

9. Munster (22-7)

Munster should note that the Pendleton Heights team they lost to is in the state finals as well as the LC team that beat them twice. Munster has got to play tougher nonconference teams. They need Hanover Central and Valparaiso back on the schedule and they need to call Penn and Mishawaka to set up games. Fortunately, I think their coaching staff knows that and will get it done for 2004.

10. Crown Point (16-16)

Back-to-back victories over Valparaiso and Hobart made this one of CP's greatest seasons. But a disappointing 6-5 loss to Riley (15-15) ended the year at the .500 mark. This will be an entirely new team next year with their coach and nine seniors leaving. Rumors include former coach Jim Inglehart returning to lead the program.

OUT OF TOWN NOTES: Whiting pulled off upsets over Eastside and Pioneer in extra innings to get to the state finals for the first time in school history. They will face (Howard Co.) Eastern (28-4), a team that bats .368, in the state semifinals. The Oilers nipped Pioneer 3-2 in 16 innings.

Whiting hits just .247 as a team and they have no dominant player. The savior has been back-up pitcher Maria Martinez (16-3) who has struck out 166 strikeouts in 133 innings. Whiting has won 10 in a row but every playoff game has been on their home field. Eastern has also played all five state tournament games at home so far.

Eastern ended the repeat title bid of 1A champ Clinton Prairie 1-0 in the Eastern Regional championship game. Eastern alternates two pitchers who have a combined 17 shutouts.

LC has won 90 games in the last three seasons but they will be confronted by major foes at the finals. Pendleton Heights scored 12 times against No. 3 DeKalb (29-2). DeKalb's pitcher, Krysten Schumaker (17-2) had 300 strikeouts and had just come off a 12-strikeout 32 win over Lafayette Jefferson (23-9).

Pendleton hit her easily. They start five seniors who will not be intimidated by all-state LC fireballer Brooke Baker (260 Ks in 168 innings). No one has played the schedule LC has, but Pendleton is close with wins over 2A No.7 Mt. Vernon, 2A state finalist New Palestine (24-8), Munster (20-7), Twin Lakes (23-8) and Carmel. Pendleton has scored 41 runs in five playoff games, unheard of in big school softball.

Culver Academy's Jackie Lawrence (22-2) stuck out only two in a 4-3 loss to West Lafayette Saturday in the Twin Lakes 2A regional. Observers said the highly touted freshman was throwing only in the upper 50s and low 60s. She struck out only two after fanning 23 against New Prairie one week earlier.

Center Grove star Darcy Wood (24-3, 0.43 ERA, 287 Ks, in 179 innings) has pitched five consecutive shutouts in the state tournament. CG has won 20 games in a row. Wood a 5-9 junior right-hander, has 16 shutouts this year. Only 28 runs have been scored against Center Grove all season.