2011 ALL-AREA SOFTBALL: All-around talents heat up the diamond

BY DAN STICKRADT

SENIOR EDITOR

dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com

The 2011 softball season was definitely a year of transition for teams across the state of Michigan.

With the pitcher’s circle being pushed back three feet to be the same distance as college, offensive numbers were up significantly while pitching numbers dropped at many schools as those pitchers adapted to a new game at the prep level.

The one constant was the overall talent level was solid around the state and area and teams and players excelled around the field.

Locally, that is evidenced on the 2011 All-Area Softball Team for the www.northoaklandsports.com coverage area. There were several players who displayed the complete package in terms of talent, which is why five local players earned all-state and numerous others all-league, all-district or all-region.

The all-area squad, selected by NOS staff along with input from area coaches, features pitchers that weather the storm of the circle change, heavy fielders, slick gloves and players who displayed speed all over the diamond.

This truly is a talented bunch.

Below is a brief profile of each player selected to the All-Area First Team:

Pitchers

MEGAN HASTINGS, Clarkston: This hurler, fresh off helping her basketball team reach the Class A regional finals, came back this spring to become one of the top pitchers in the entire OAA. The junior and three-year varsity veteran finished with a sterling 16-2 record and a 1.62 ERA for a team that was 28-8 and ranked in the top 25 all season. She had 95 strikeouts against 18 walks, gave up 29 earned runs, 99 hits, although only 12 were for extra bases, and pitched 107 1/3 innings. In the field, she posted a solid glove. Over 77 fielding chances, Hastings had 24 putouts, 49 assists and only four errors for a .948 percentage.

KAITLIN KOGUT, Lake Orion: A junior, Kogut took over the No. 1 pitcher’s role early in the season for the Dragons and had a solid campaign by adjusting to the new pitching length. Losing only one game during the first month of the season, the All-OAA Red Division, all-district and the team Iron-Man award winner finished 15-4-1 with a 2.25 ERA. She struck out 85 batters and never committed a single error all season.

“She was solid as a No. 2 or No. 3 pitcher last season and this year became our No.1 early in the year,” said coach Joe Woityra. “Kaitlin has great control and mixes her pitches well. She’s a workhorse, even pitching 4 1/2 games at the Pieper Tournament. Her arm was tired at times this season, but she continued to work hard and play through the pain. She’s a tough kid who keeps getting better with experience.”

Catcher

ALEX BAHNER, Rochester Adams: A four-year starter behind the plate, teams didn’t dare run on Bahner, who possessed one of the state’s top arms for a catcher. In 38 games this year, she gave up only four stolen bases, threw out 19 base-runners attempting to steal and also picked off 11 runners who wandered too far off base, including six from second base. With the bat, she hit .381 with a .566 slugging percentage, a .444 on-base percentage, 10 doubles, one triple and three home runs. This season she earned All-OAA White Division, all-district and all-region, missing all-state by one vote. She was named all-district four times and has signed with St. Xavier.

“Alex was one of the best defensive catchers around,” said coach Fran Scislowicz. “She has such a powerful arm. She threw out 19 kids that tried to steal on her and she picked off a lot of runners off base. We had some very inexperienced pitchers this season and she worked well with them. She’s such a great kid, too. She has around a 3.85 GPA and was a key part of our program for four years.”

First Baseman

LYNDSEY MUKOMEL, Troy: A four-year starter, Mukomel exits stage left by playing on three state quarterfinalist and one state semifinalist team at Troy all while putting up some explosive numbers. Named to the All-State First Team in Division 1 among numerous postseason accolades, Mukomel terrorized opposing pitchers with a .512 batting average, 36 RBI and four home runs. In the field she had 218 putouts and posted a .982 fielding percentage.

“Lynsey is an outstanding player with amazing on-field accomplishments, as noted by her batting and fielding percentages,” said coach Tom Calnen. “However, perhaps even more noteworthy for our team are her accomplishments off the field. Lynsey is the voice of our team and her leadership is invaluable. She is the first one on the field and the last one off, and always looks to raise the team up. Lynsey excels in the classroom, is her class president, a member of National Honor Society and also volunteers for her church. She is truly an amazing young lady.”

Infielders

KIRSTEN THOMPSON, Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest: The senior shortstop was named All-State all four years, including honorable mention all-state as a freshman and sophomore and All-State first Team Division 4 as both a junior and senior.  Selected to play in the MHSSBCA Division 4 all-star game, Thompson posted yet another fine season leading her team to its fourth straight league championship. The MIAC Blue Division MVP fielded at a .939 clip from her shortstop position, and at the plate batted 105 times with 59 hits, 55 runs, 12 doubles, four triples, seven home runs, 33 RBI, 30 stolen bases, 10 walks and just one strikeout all season. From the lead-off spot, she batted .569 with a .702 slugging percentage. Thompson, who was all-league, all-district and all-region each year of her prep career, graduates with multiple school records and will play for Division II Lake Superior State University next season.

“She’s one of the best that I’ve coached,” said coach Jeff Ludwig.”She had an amazing career at Northwest and we’ll miss her next year. We wouldn’t have won the league all four years without her. I think she’s going to do very well in college. She’s a very talented softball player and a great kid.”

EMILY BRYCE, Rochester Adams: Showcasing a fine glove and arm at third base and a powerful bat, this senior earned All-State First Team honors in Division 1 this season among multiple postseason honors. The four-year starter hit .432 with a .608 slugging percentage and a .468 on-base mark. She smacked 14 doubles, two triples and two home runs to go along with a .930 fielding percentage. She is a three-time all-league and all-district honoree and was listed as honorable-mention all-state as a junior. She will play next year at Wayne State.

“Emily had a great career for us,” said Scislowicz. “She kept getting better. She’s the consummate player. She has a strong arm, make plays (in the field) and can swing the bat.”

SARAH NUSS, Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes-Clarkston Everest Collegiate Unified: Named to the All-State First Team in Division 4, this senior second baseman hit an impressive .523 with 40 RBI and was among the team leaders in multiple categories this season. The senior captain was an All-Catholic, all-district and all-region selection two times and helped lead her team to the CHSL C-D championship and the D-4 state quarterfinals.

“She’s a very intelligent player,” said coach Steve Troy. “She has a great eye in the batter’s box and in the field. She’s very athletic and a very good leader.”

BRIANNA SCHWARCZ, Lake Orion: Holding down the fort at second base, Schwarcz was solid in both the leather and with the bat to earn All-State First Team honors in Division 1 among multiple postseason honors. The Dragons’ MVP hit .459 with 34 RBI, 29 runs and a .467 on-base-average as a switch-hitter. With the glove, she fielded at a .953 clip in her third season as a starter.

“Brianna was one of the team leaders who always kept the team loose but she’s always very focused when the ball is in play,” said Woityra. “She was all-state as a junior for a reason. She can sometimes murder the ball and she always comes up with the clutch hit. Defensively, she can cover a lot of ground at second base. She was one of the best second basemen I saw this season.”

MELISSA PALMER, Troy Athens: Athens showcased much improvement this season by going 18-18 and part of that was the talents of this junior shortstop, who has garnered plenty of interest from Division I and Division II colleges around the Midwest. The three-year starter broke a school record with a .525 batting average, eclipsing the old mark set way back in 1976. She also posted a .609 on-base percentage with 62 hits, 16 extra base hits, two home runs, a school record 52 runs scored, 29 RBI and tied the school record by going 36-for-37 on stolen base attempts. The lead-off hitter, who earned All-OAA White Division, all-district and all-region honors, struck out only two times and collected hits in 33 of 36 games. The scholar-athlete, who carries a 4.0 GPA, also fielded at a .967 clip after making only two errors.

“She’s as good as anybody we’ve had here in a long time and she has a lot of colleges very interested in her,” said coach Dave Marr. “She’s just a great all-around player and a great student. Melissa is already having a great summer with finesse, her club team. She’s one of the better players on that team, too.”

Outfielders

CHLOE KAUFMANN, Rochester Adams: The anchor of the Highlanders’ outfield for four years, Kauffman earned All-OAA White Division and all-district accolades this season as a senior. The speedy center fielder batted .364 with a .465 on-base average. She was even better in the field, collecting 70 putouts and only one error while posting a .986 fielding percentage. She was named all-district three times in her career.

“Chloe had a great year,” said Scislowicz. “You knew when the ball was hit in her direction, she was going to make the play. Anytime you can have 70 putouts and one error, it shows the type of focus you have (as a palyer). Chloe has great range. There were probably 10-15 times this year where she made plays that a lot of girls wouldn’t make. She can hit for average or power, too. In terms of outfielders, she one of the better ones we’ve had at Adams in a while.”

MAGGIE IRVINE, Rochester: Another talented player who just missed all-state, Irvine collected 54 hits in 96 at-bats. She had 29 RBI, 35 runs, eight doubles, eight triples, three home runs and struck out only seven times all season from the No. 3 spot in the order. She batted .463 and posted a .563 on-base percentage. In the field, Irvine had 25 putouts and three assists against two errors for a .933 clip. The junior garnered All-OAA White Division, all-district and all-region honors for the second straight season. She missed eight games due to injury.

“Maggie’s a great all-around player,” said coach Jenny Morgan. “When she was out, we weren’t the same team. I think she’s one of the main reasons why we still finished second in our league. Maggie is one of those players who can change a game.”

JESSICA LUCAS, Lake Orion: A junior, Lucas was swift enough to cover plenty of ground in the outfield and was one of the more potent bats in the Dragons’ lineup this season. Named to the All-OAA Red Division, all-district and all-region squads along with the team’s Golden Bat Award and LOHS Dragons Award, Lucas hit .495 with 12 RBI and 33 runs to go along with a .531 on-base percentage from the leadoff spot. She also committed only one error all season for a .964 fielding percentage.

“She’s always a threat,” said Woityra. “She can hit the ball and in the field doesn’t make a lot of mistakes. She has great speed and anticipation. I look at her numbers and I’m surprised that she didn’t make all-state.

LIZ ZEZULA, Clarkston: Roaming the outfield for the Wolves, Zezula earned All-State Honorable Mention status in Division 1 for the season straight season. Also an All-OAA Red Division, all-district and all-region honoree, she posted a .941 fielding percentage, registering 28 putouts, four assists and only two errors. At the plate, Zezula hit .409 with a .661 slugging percentage and a .465 on-base mark to go along with 28 singles, 12 doubles, four triples, three home runs, 10 walks, 16 stolen bases. She will play next season at Division II Tiffin University (Ohio).

At-Large

BRIANNA MARZOLF, Auburn Hills Avondale: The junior earned All-OAA White Division and all-district honors again this season after leading the Yellowjackets in multiple categories this season. The catcher was honorable mention all-area last season.

COACH OF THE YEAR

STEVE TROY, Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes-Clarkston Everest Collegiate Unified: The Lakers enjoyed a little resurgence in Troy’s third season at the helm and had their best season since 2004. This season, WOLL-Everest finished a fine 35-6 ledger, including 22-2 in the CHSL, and won the C-D Division league championship. In the postseason, the Lakers also captured a district and regional title, their first in seven years, and reached the Division 4 state quarterfinals before falling to eventual state runner-up Unionville-Sebewaing Area.

“We had such a good senior class and that helped us turn things around this season,” said Troy. “This is the first time we’ve had over 30 wins and won a regional in a while. The kids just worked hard and bought in and we were able to make a nice run in the tournament.”

ALL-AREA SOFTBALL TEAM 2011

FIRST TEAM

Pitchers

Megan Hastings                   Clarkston                               Junior

Kaitlyn Kogut                        Lake Orion                            Junior

Catcher

Alex Bahner                           Rochester Adams              Senior

First Baseman

Lyndsey Mukomel               Troy                                        Senior

Infielders

Emily Bryce                            Rochester Adams               Senior

Melissa Palmer                      Troy Athens                          Junior

Kristen Smith                         R.H. Lutheran NW               Senior

Brianna Schwarcz                 Lake Orion                              Junior

Sarah Nuss                               WOLL-Everest                      Senior

Outfielders

Chloe Kauffman                     Rochester Adams               Senior

Maggie Irvine                         Rochester                              Soph.

Jessica Lucas                          Lake Orion                            Junior

Liz Zezula                                 Clarkston                               Senior

At-Large

Brianna Marzolf                     A.H. Avondale                    Senior

COACH OF THE YEAR

Steve Troy                               WOLL-Everest                     Third Season

SECOND TEAM

Pitchers: Haley Zemmer, Troy Athens fr.; Michelle Cottrell, Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes sr.

Catcher: Autumn Cervantez, Oxford soph.

Infielders: Cassie Edgemon, Oxford jr.; Jen Semaan, Rochester Stoney Creek fr.; Danielle Guldi, Lake Orion jr.; Laney Hart, Troy jr.; Shauna Siwicki, Clarkston jr.; Kamryn LeCarter, Troy jr.

Outfielders: Sarah Schedlbauer, Rochester soph.; Abbey Troy, Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes/Clarkston Everest Collegiate sr.; Cady Zimmerman, Auburn Hills Avondale sr.

At-Large: Stephanie Smith, Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest jr.; Sydney Hasselbach, Clarkston soph.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Auburn Hills Avondale: Kirsten Moy, sr. P-INF; Sami Bolton, sr. 3B; Katie Tullock, sr. 1B; Auburn Hills Oakland Christian: Amy Libka, sr. P; Clarkston: Allie Reeve, sr. OF; Sarah Altene, sr. INF-P; Lake Orion: Paige Hamay, sr. 1B; Emily Pillivant, soph. C; Oxford: Alyssa Hurtado, sr. SS; Rochester: Emily Ellis, soph. 3B; MacKenzie Duff, soph. 1B; Rochester Adams: Bre Polcyn, soph. LF; Alexys Pacioni, jr. RF; Claire Scislowicz, sr. 1B; Maddy Phelps, soph.SS; Ashley Durand, jr. 2B; Rochester Stoney Creek: Jessica Lie, soph. CF; Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest: Rebecca Pierce, sr. LF; Ashly Riethmeier, jr. 1B; Troy: Cori Mittelbrun, fr. P-OF; Troy Athens: Erica Siimets, soph. INF; Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes/Clarkston Everest Collegiate Unified: Hannah Garris, sr.1B; Jules Mastermatteo, fr. INF.

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Category: All Area Teams, Auburn Hills Avondale, Auburn Hills Christian Acadamy, Auburn Hills Oakland Christian, Clarkston, Clarkston Everest Catholic, High School, High School (M-Z), Lake Orion, Oxford, Prep Wraps, Rochester, Rochester Adams, Rochester Hills Lutheran NW, Rochester Stoney Creek, Troy, Troy Athens, Troy Christian Leadership Acadamy, Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes