By Jennifer Eisenbart
Sports Editor
The Catholic Central High School softball team has two gaping holes to fill this season.
Gone are Dani Stoppenbach and Caitlyn Snyder – four-year starters at second base and shortstop, respectively, for the Lady ’Toppers.
“That also means that the ’Toppers will have to find a new leadoff and No. 3 hitter,” said head coach Bill Greskiw, in his 17th year. “.”
In spite of that, though, CCHS returns its battery of Bekah Shellberg – a four-year pitcher for the Lady ’Toppers – and catcher Cassandra Suhling, and Greskiw thinks the other returning players will set up well for his squad.
“Shellberg will be the heart of the team on the mound,” said Greskiw. The senior pitched 144 innings in 2011, going 13-8. She also batted .364 with 19 runs, 28 hits and seven RBI.
However, from there, the Lady ’Toppers drop off in terms offensive balance. It’s a point of concern for Greskiw, who stated that his team would have to find better production from the whole team and also play solid defense.
Other returning starters for the squad include first baseman Maggie Smith, third baseman Allie Hockman – a four year starter at the position – and outfielders Kelsey Robers and Chirissa Zirbel.
Ali Wiemer and Bailey Wadsworth, part-time starters last year, are expected to be full-time starters this year.
“Robers, Zirbel, Wiemer and Wadsworth are all due for breakout years and will battle to fill the middle of the infield,” said Greskiw. Freshman Mackenzie Kyle is also expected to contribute to the varsity level, both as a No. 2 pitcher and with her bat, but she will also pitch as often as possible at the JV level.
The Lady ’Toppers will field a JV team this year, and as a result, a ninth starter for the squad has yet to be determined. Greskiw said the Lady ’Toppers will have 3-4 freshmen in the mix, but will offer varsity playing time to all of them because while they will fill an outfield spot this year, they are potential infielders in the future.
“They will remain on JV to work on their infield skills and get game time at those infield positions,” Greskiw said.
The coach is expecting a tight Midwest Classic Conference race with Kenosha St. Joseph and Racine Lutheran.
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