|
2007 All-Times Softball Team
 | | EARNING TOP HONORS...A pair of .500 hitters, Depew's Alexis Wayne (left) and Maryvale's Toni Caruso, were selected as co-Softball Players of the Year in ECIC-III. |
|
Two thousand seven was quite a year for local softball teams and players, both record-wise- a combined 48-12 in Erie County Interscholastic Conference-III and IV- and individually, as 23 full-time starters hit .350 or better during the spring season. It wasn't an easy process, but the Times has compiled its annual All-Softball Team:
Pitchers:
Jessica Sisti
(Depew - senior)
Sisti, the Times' 2007 Softball Player of the Year, emerged as a bigtime performer this spring, taking over as the ace of Depew's pitching staff and guiding the Lady Wildcats to an ECIC-III title and a 12-0 record in league play.
Armed with a live fastball and a solid variety of breaking and offspeed pitches, the senior went 17-4 on the mound with a small 1.17 earned run average. Sisti struck out 150 in 143 innings, allowing 92 hits and just 24 earned runs. She earned key back-to-back shutouts against local and league rival Maryvale in two victories that allowed Depew to sew up the ECIC-III crown. Opponents hit just .174 against her for the season.
At the plate, Sisti was equally effective, providing many clutch hits throughout the campaign. She finished tied for third on the Lady 'Cats with a .429 batting average (33 hits), including a .779 slugging average. She led Depew with 29 runs batted, three home runs and five triples, finishing tied for first with eight doubles and second with 60 total bases.
"It would have been very tough to achieve what we did without Jessica," Depew head coach Dan Seelig said the ace pitcher. "She left everything she had on the field."
Brittany Koshofer
(Maryvale - freshman)
When Maryvale sophomore Olivia Gmerek went down with an injury early in the spring, there were questions about whether Koshofer would be able to handle the workload of being the Lady Flyers' No. 1 pitcher.
The freshman answered those questions with a resounding "Yes."
Koshofer, who saw minimal playing time on Maryvale's Class A championship-appearing squad in 2006, came on as a lights-out hurler, hurling six shutouts en route to a 12- 3 record and 0.98 ERA. She struck out 97 batters and walked just 14, helping the Lady Flyers to a surprising 10-2 record and second-place finish in ECIC-III.
The freshman also contributed several key hits during the season at the plate and showed consistent power with a high slugging average.
Kristen Rohe
(Cleveland Hill - junior)
A commonly asked question to this sportswriter over the last couple of seasons seems to be: "Is Kristen Rohe a senior yet?"
It's easy to assume the Cleveland Hill starting pitcher is completing her high school career, based upon her current accomplishment, including 66 wins over the last four seasons. A member of the All-Times Softball Team the last couple of seasons, she had another outstanding campaign in 2007, going 15-5 on the mound with an ERA of 1.68.
Forming a dynamic duo with junior catcher and close friend Alyssa Luksch, Rohe struck out 104 batters and walked just 15 in 125 innings, committing just one error all spring. She also contributed 10 put-outs.
At the plate, Rohe was also on fire, finishing second on the Lady Eagles behind Luksch with a .456 batting average, slugging five home runs, three triples, five doubles and 29 RBI, also contributing a .785 slugging average and .671 on-base percentage. She also contributed 36 hits and 35 runs scored.
Catcher:
Alyssa Luksch
(Cleve Hill - junior)
Luksch was simply irreplacable as the backbone of Cleve Hill's softball team, producing one of the finest seasons ever by a Lady Eagles player. She is the runner-up for the Times' Player of the Year award.
The junior catcher led Cleve Hill with a .459 batting average, setting school records and team highs in hits (39), doubles (10), triples (six) and RBI (36). Incredibly, she struck out just once in 2007, which is also a Cleve Hill record. She contributed robust slugging (.718) and on-base (.659) averages.
In the field, Luksch was equally impressive, committing just one error. She threw out six of eight baserunners, a surprising ratio for high school softball. It's also an amazing statistic that only eight runners tried to steal against the Lady Eagles, according to Cleve Hill head coach Dave Hehr.
"Very few teams would run on Alyssa's strong arm," Hehr said.
A teammate and battery mate of Rohe since both were eighth graders on the varsity level, the duo should end their high school careers in 2008 with tremendous seasons. Luksch, Rohe and junior shortstop Torrie Wydysh (.370 hitter in 2007) are all four-year varsity veterans.
First Base:
Neysha Harrell
(Central - sophomore)
Harrell was the big bat on Matt Haberl's improved Cheektowaga Central club this spring, hitting a team-best .379 with 25 hits, four triples, one home run and 10 RBI. She also led the Lady Warriors with 19 stolen bases and racked up 37 total bases.
She was selected to the ECIC-III Second Team. The three-sport athlete was a big reason for Central's third-place finish- its highest since 1996- in ECIC-III with a 7-5 record. She provided steady play at first base and used her good height to her advantage by reaching several high throws.
Second Base:
Breanna Fenski
(Maryvale- sophomore)
Fenski came into her own as an exciting performer for Maryvale, hitting .406 with five triples and four doubles. She was 11 for 11 on stolen base attempts and scored 24 runs.
The sophomore also played a very solid second base and is one of the mainstays on a solid Lady Flyers squad that should contend for the ECIC-III title in 2008.
Third Base:
Toni Caruso
(Maryvale- junior)
Maryvale head coach Jeff Ross described Caruso as the heart and soul of the Lady Flyers, as the junior had a spectacular season at the plate (a team-high .508 batting average) and in the field (.1000 fielding percentage at third base, perfect on 64 fielding attempts).
Caruso was selected as the Co- Player of the Year in ECIC-III, along with Depew's Alexis Wayne. She hit four home runs, seven triples and nine doubles.
The junior was a big part of Maryvale's surprising season in league play and should again have a great impact as a senior.
Shortstop:
Alexis Wayne
(Depew - sophomore)
As an outstanding overall athlete, Wayne brought her prowress to the softball diamond again this spring and did not disappoint, leading the ECIC-III-winning Lady Wildcats with a .500 batting average.
Wayne ripped a whopping 46 hits in 92 at-bats, including eight doubles, two triples and two home runs. She also contributed team highs in runs scored (27), RBI (27) and total bases (64).
Wayne is another player that has seemingly played varsity ball "forever," according to Seelig.
"She's already in the role of being a leader and has all the leadership skills," Seelig said of the ECICIII Co-Player of the Year, who has played on the varsity level since her eighth grade season. "She's already learned so much and girls will look up to her next year even more."
An outstanding defensive player with a cannon arm, Wayne rarely made a mistake at shortstop and formed a great left side of the infield along with freshman third base standout and ECIC-III Second Team selectee Ashley Nunz, who hit a robust .429, scored 16 runs and knocked in 19. Both Wayne and Nunz will be players to watch for in the next few seasons.
Outfield:
Carrie Stahura
(Depew- senior)
Stahura finished her Lady Wildcats career with a standout season, finishing second on Depew with a .449 batting average as well as with 40 hits. She hit one home run and six doubles, scoring 22 runs and knocking in 17.
"Carrie was one of our leaders," Seelig said of the co-captain. "She did whatever was asked of her."
Stahura, who was selected to the ECIC-III First Team, also provided solid defense in the outfield.
Jen Jankowski
(JFK - junior)
Jankowski, an All-Times Softball Honorable Mention in 2006, had an even greater season in 2007 after specializing as JFK's "designated player," seeing time in the outfield, at catcher and designated hitter.
The junior hit a team-best .500 in ECIC-IV play, going 17-34 with two triples. She also contributed 11 RBI and 11 runs scored, striking out just twice the entire season. A versatile performer, Jankowski's strong play at multiple positions allowed freshman Jamie Nash to emerge behind the plate.
Katie Turvey
(Depew - junior)
Turvey was another extremely versatile player on Seelig's Depew squad, primarily playing outfield but also seeing time at catcher and various other infield positions.
The junior hit .373, going 19-51 at the plate. She hit two home runs and knocked in 14 runs, scoring 12. She also added one triple.
Seelig described Turvey as one of his team's most driven players.
"She's one of those players who is the first one to arrive at pratice and also one of the last ones to leave," the Depew coach stated. "She enjoys playing the game."
Turvey narrowly edged Maryvale's Olivia Gmerek (.400- plus hitter despite missing several weeks with an injury) and Amanada Pinak (.339, four triples) for the Times Team's final outfield spot.
Utility:
Michelle Green
(Depew - sophomore)
Green enjoyed a terrific campaign at several outfield and infield positions this spring, providing steady and versatile defensive play.
At the plate, she finished third on the Lady 'Cats with a .423 batting average, ripping 30 hits in 71 at-bats. She hit six doubles, scored 10 runs, and contributed 20 RBI. Seelig said he expects big things out of Green, an ECIC-III First Teamer this season, in 2008.
"She'll have to help on the 'D' side again," Seelig said. "She's very driven and she'll give it her all. She loves playing the game of softball."
* Honorable Mention *
Dana Thompson
(JFK - senior)
Thompson, a four-year varsity veteran at JFK, completed her Lady Bears career with another outstanding season in 2007, finishing third on Kennedy with a .425 batting average.
The senior tri-captain ripped 17 hits in 40 league at-bats, striking out just three times while scoring 14 runs. In the field, Thompson was as good as they come, providing a good glove and a strong arm.
Her leadership will be missed next season for the Lady Bears, as she leaves behind a positive team-first attitude, according to JFK head coach Chris Mahalic.
"She's one of those strong, silent leaders," Mahalic said of the handler of the hot corner. "She led by example and it'll be a huge loss for us. We'll lose nine years of varsity experience with her, Heather Carey (.307) and Amber Dziekan (.348) graaduating."
Nicole Odrobina
(Maryvale - senior)
Odrobina provided senior leadership to a young Maryvale team that put forth another successful season. The senior shortstop finished second on the Lady Flyers with a .439 batting average, contributing 29 hits in 66 at-bats.
An All-Times Softball Honorable Mention in 2006, Odrobina was a perfect 12 for 12 on stolen base attempts, scoring 21 runs and ripping three triples and six doubles.
For the past couple of seasons, Odrobina and Caruso have provided flawless play on the left side of the infield. Odrobina has shown terrific range and a strong throwing arm.
Jamie Nash
(JFK - freshman) In her first season starting behind the plate for JFK, Nash did not disappoint, playing well defensively while having a fabulous offensive season.
The freshman catcher led the Lady Bears with a .460 batting average, leading her team in league play with 23 hits and 23 runs scored. She also finished with a JFK-best 16 RBI in ECIC-IV competition and only struck out four times. She also hit a team-high four triples.
Rachel Kandefer
(Central- senior)
Although her record may not have shown it, Kandefer was irreplacable as the No. 1 pitcher on Cheektowaga Central the last two seasons, putting together a career year in 2007.
The senior ace went 6-7 with one save, compiling an ERA of 1.94. Kandefer struck out 67 and walked 20 in 94 innings, allowing 106 hits.
Kandefer was selected to the ECIC-III First Team.
Caitlyn Szymanski
(JFK - junior)
Szymanski was a rock of consistency both at the plate and on the mound this season.
The junior finished fourth on Kennedy with a .416 batting average in league play, ripping 20 hits in 48 at-bats, scoring 18 runs and knocking in nine. She struck out just once the entire year.
In her second season as the Lady Bears' No. 1 pitcher, Szymanski went 9-3 in league play, compiling an ERA of 3.77. She possessed outstanding control, striking out 83 batters while walking just two.
Deanna Szymkowiak
(Central - junior)
Szymkowiak showed the same kind of consistency that made her one of Central's best all-around players in 2006, finishing second on the Lady Warriors with a .362 batting average, one year after she hit a team-best .358.
The junior second baseman, who was an All-Times First Teamer in 2006, ripped 21 hits in 58 at-bats, including three triples, two home runs, 16 stolen bases and 16 runs scored. She also led the locals with 38 total bases.
For her efforts, Szymkowiak was selected to the All-ECIC-III and IV, as well as the ECIC-III, first teams.
| 
)