By Mike Ramczyk
Sports Editor
Last week, we looked at the top baseball players among Burlington, Catholic Central, Union Grove and Waterford high schools.
This week, it’s the ladies’ turn.
This will be our final reflection of the spring season, the 2014 All-Area Softball team.
The biggest thing that separates high school softball from high school baseball is the pitching.
While baseball teams may have a rotation of three or four solid pitchers with one ace, softball teams usually rely on one pitcher to pitch every single inning.
In the area, it is much of the same. Burlington’s Danielle Koenen, Catholic Central’s Mackenzie Kyle, Union Grove’s Allie Trudeau and Waterford’s Maddie Szalewski were on the hill just about every game for their squads.
A good pitching staff makes all the difference in high school softball, and the Union Grove Broncos stood out among the rest on the hill.
Led by Trudeau and Brittany Moore, the Broncos went 21-6 this spring and advanced to a Division 1 sectional final.
The dynamic duo combined for 150 innings, 250 strikeouts and a combined ERA under 1.00.
But one pitcher, Trudeau, had the kind of magical season coaches, players and fans remember forever.
While the Lady Broncos had the best season as a team, Burlington and Catholic Central both advanced to sectionals with stellar campaigns.
Also, the young Wolverines had a sub-.500 record. Ellen Blair recently stepped down as head coach, so it will be interesting to see who takes over next season.
Here’s a look at the 2014 All-Area Softball team, led by a sensational sophomore.
Player of the Year
Allie Trudeau
Sophomore, Union Grove
When it comes to dominant pitching, look no further than the Broncos ace.
Trudeau went 10-2 on the season with an 0.87 ERA. She fanned a staggering 159 batters in 96-1/3 innings.
If it weren’t for Trudeau’s masterful performances, the Grove wouldn’t have made it to within one game of state.
“She’s the reason we were where we were,” said Union Grove coach Ryan Boylen. “She was sick for a week and missed some games, but she was dominant all season. Most coaches would take our pitchers any day.”
Trudeau truly showed her brilliance when it mattered most – the postseason.
She had playoff games of 17 and 16 strikeouts, then she struck out seven batters in 4-1/3 against eventual state runner-up Westosha Central in a sectional final.
Trudeau tallied three shutouts and walked only 38 batters. She had a 0.81 WHIP, or walks plus hits per innings pitched.
Trudeau was named third team all-state, first team all-Racine County and first team all-conference.
Tay Lewis
Sophomore, Burlington
Only a sophomore, Burlington’s starting shortstop is the area’s best hitter for both power and average, and she should only get better.
Lewis boasted the area’s best batting average at .522 and socked the most home runs (eight) and extra-base hits (16). Her 1.631 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) is perhaps her most impressive stat.
Also, Lewis led the area in RBIs with 34, nine more than the next player.
Thanks to her stunning power, it’s safe to say Lewis will challenge for the player of the year for the next two seasons.
“Talyn Lewis is a player that hits for power and average, while playing one of the most demanding positions on the field,” said coach Gary Caliva. “Even as a sophomore, she is one of the leaders on the team.”
Lewis earned first team all-SLC and all-county accolades.
Brittany Moore
Sophomore, Union Grove
If Union Grove wasn’t so stacked in the pitching department, Moore would’ve been the team’s ace.
In fact, Moore most likely would’ve been the staff ace on any team in the area or the conference.
The second team all-conference pick tossed only 61 innings, but she struck out 90 batters and posted an eye-popping 0.80 ERA, the lowest in the area.
Moore boasted a 9-3 record overall.
Alyssa Schimelfenyg
Junior, Waterford
While the spelling of her last name may be a tad confusing, Schimelfenyg leaves no doubt on the softball diamond.
She was the Wolverines’ best hitter on the season, and she was a defensive presence in the infield.
Waterford finished the season 7-11, and Schimelfenyg was the team’s lone representative on the all-conference first team.
Chy Onstad
Sophomore, Burlington
The Lady Demons, who finished with a solid 13-10 record in the one of the best conferences in the state, got consistent defense and hitting from Onstad.
She played the hot corner, third base, like no other, and her clutch hitting was top-notch.
Onstad was named first team all-SLC thanks to a .493 batting average, 19 RBIs, four triples, two home runs and a 1.258 OPS.
“I think Chyanne is the best third baseman in the SLC, plays the bunt as well as anyone and has a great arm,” Caliva said.
Mackenzie Kyle
Junior, Catholic Central
Kyle was the do-it-all workhorse for a team that overachieved despite a losing overall record.
The Toppers went 13-14 on the season, but they were able to advance to a Division 4 sectional semifinal.
Kyle was the catalyst on the mound and at the plate for Catholic Central.
She led the team in batting with a .446 average, drove in 22 runs and totaled 37 hits and a .614 slugging percentage.
Kyle was the team’s main pitcher, with a 12-11 record, 2.51 ERA and 154 strikeouts in 142 innings pitched.
Opponents only hit .244 off Kyle. A leader on and off the field, expect her to have an even bigger season in 2015.
“Mackenzie pitched against Wilmot, Menomonee Falls, Zion-Benton, Deerfield, Kenosha St. Joe’s (twice), and Oconomowoc, all D1 or ranked D2 or D3 schools,” said Catholic Central coach Bill Greskiw. “You need to keep in mind the strength of the offense and defense behind her at CC when comparing her to pitchers in other programs.”
Kyle was team MVP, captain, and was named first team all-Metro Classic and all-Racine County.
Cassidy Kortendick
Junior, Union Grove
Kortendick carried the best batting average on the best team in the area.
She hit at a .412 clip, smashed five home runs and knocked in 25 RBIs, good for second in the area.
Kortendick also boasted a .662 slugging percentage and a 1.117 OPS.
Boylen said Kortendick was one of the biggest hitters on the team.
Danielle Koenen
Sophomore, Burlington
Sometimes, talent isn’t the only thing that makes a great pitcher.
A great pitcher must know where to locate pitches, how to fool a hitter and how to bounce back from adversity. Her heart must be the biggest on the field and must beat the loudest.
Koenen is one of those all-heart fighters that you can never count out.
The Burlington staff ace, Koenen went 11-8 with a 1.83 ERA and struck out 106 batters in 138 innings.
A second team all-SLC pick, Koenen kept her team in just about every game and came up with big victories over Union Grove and Wilmot.
She was a master of getting out of big jams and keeping her cool under pressure.
Koenen helped the Lady Demons win their regional for the first time since 2006.
“Danielle has a presence on the mound that displays confidence, toughness and a willingness to do what ever it takes to help her team win,” Caliva said. “Danielle had wins against Union Grove and Wilmot and battled Westosha to extra innings this year. Without Danielle, BHS does not have as good a year as they had.”
Alyssa McClelland
Sophomore, Union Grove
The team captain despite her youth, McClelland, who is a talented pitcher, unselfishly moved to third base this season without a complaint, Boylen said.
“She did everything you expect a captain to do,” Boylen said.
McClelland earned second team all-SLC honors thanks to a .351 batting average, three home runs and 19 RBIs.
Randee Jackson
Burlington
All Jackson did this year was flat-out hit the ball.
A left-handed slugger, Jackson hit at a .393 clip, good for fourth on the Demons.
Also, she was one of the area’s leaders with 22 RBIs.
Honorable mention
Claire Ryan, Union Grove: .347 batting average, 25-72, first team all-SLC.
Jenna Bouffiou, Waterford.
Katie Kubiak, Waterford.
Natalie Rach, Catholic Central: .393 BA, 14 RBI, nine doubles.
Kira Allen, Burlington: .346 BA, “Kira showed a lot of poise for a freshman and is a good defensive player as well as a good hitter,” Caliva said. “We were in need of a leadoff hitter and Kira filled that role for our team.”
Adriana Burd, Burlington: .275 BA, “Adriana was a three-year starter as a catcher and was our field general and leader on our team,” Caliva said. “She brought experience and leadership to a young team. The toughest player on our team, she hustled from the first pitch to last pitch in every game. She will be hard to replace.”
Taylor Rieck, Catholic Central: .369 BA, 14 RBI.
Bridgette Wright, Catholic Central: .333 BA, 18
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