A look at the New Trier, Regina, Evanston, Glenbrook South, Glenbrook North and Loyola softball teams as they start their seasons.
New Trier
Injuries to teammates forced Dana Dolinko behind the plate last season, but the New Trier softball player will be back in the circle for her senior season.
A No. 3 pitcher last spring, Dolinko had to play catcher after the Trevians lost two catchers to injury. New Trier coach John Cadwell said Dolinko hadn’t played catcher in her first two years of high school.
With Dolinko at catcher, the Trevians finished 31-5 and 10-0 in the Central Suburban South. They won their seventh regional title in a row.
“She’s a good athlete, and she did a great job for us,” Cadwell said. “She was a fast learner, and she turned what looked like a disaster into a nice situation.”
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Lee Fisher was pegged as the starting catcher last year, but a right (throwing) shoulder injury kept her off the field. Now a senior, she’s healthy and has returned to catch, allowing Dolinko to pitch this year.
“Lee brings a great deal of experience and knowledge to the position,” Cadwell said. “She knows how to call a game. Hopefully, this gives Dana a chance to shine in her position, too.”
Dolinko isn’t overpowering, but she pitches with control and has command of her pitches, according to Cadwell.
“She hits her locations and has good movement,” Cadwell said. “We want her to change speeds, locations and vary her pitches. If she can do that, we will be in good shape.”
Senior shortstop Lily Novak, senior right fielder Amanda Howell and senior center fielder Laura Bagan also return to the starting lineup. Cadwell said junior second baseman Shayle Arenson and sophomore third baseman Gillian Gossard are expected to contribute in their first seasons on varsity.
Regina
The Panthers should progress in Vince Smart’s second season as coach.
After going 8-20 and 1-7 in the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference Red in 2014, Regina returns seven starters. Senior third baseman Maddie MacBain, junior pitcher/shortstop Emily Herberg and junior pitcher/first baseman Karlyn Manley headline the list of veterans.
MacBain batted .458 last spring, while Herberg hit over .370 with four home runs and 16 RBIs. Manley batted .360 with four homers and 23 RBIs.
Herberg and Manley will share time in the circle this season. Both had ERAs of 2.48 as sophomores.
Smart said the Panthers led in 21 of their 28 games last season, but errors were the team’s biggest weakness. Smart said the defense will be better with the entire starting infield back.
Regina, which has one regional title in program history, is dropping to Class 2A this season. The Panthers lost in the Class 3A regional semifinals a year ago.
Evanston
Senior first baseman Emma Maxwell and junior shortstop Maddy Managlia are two of seven starters back this season. Those veterans will try to get second-year coach Luella Gesky her first win in the CSL South.
Last spring, the Wildkits went 7-23 and 0-10 in the conference.
Managlia led Evanston with a .347 batting average and scored 26 runs from her spot at the top of the order. Maxwell was first on the team with 19 RBIs and hit .321.
Gesky said she’s expecting big seasons from senior outfielder Jessica Garcia and junior third baseman Gina Hopf, both of whom started last season. Evanston also should get a boost from sophomore pitcher/outfielder Darice Wheeler, a transfer from Loyola.
Glenbrook South
With only two returning starters, it might take the Titans some time to get going this spring.
Senior infielder Corinne Arcos and senior outfielder Annie Stavins are the only starters on the roster from last season’s 13-15 club.
Glenbrook North
The Spartans lost a majority of their starters from last spring’s team that tied for the CSL North championship at 8-2.
But seniors Kari Scott and Lauren Smeds both are back in the lineup. Scott is moving from second base to shortstop this season, while Smeds will play in the outfield.
Loyola
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Infielder Maeve Harrington, infielder Caitlin Haughey and catcher Molly Laughlin are the three seniors with varsity experience returning for second-year coach Michelle Farrell-Fink.
In all, 10 players are back for the Ramblers.
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