At 5-foot-3, Kristina Ahlers looks the part of a quick, sure-handed middle infielder and perhaps a pesky singles hitter.
Ahlers does excel at shortstop, although teammate Gretchen Schrubbe said Ahlers’ bat is all about anything but singles.
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“Tina is a powerhouse,” Schrubbe said.
After two seasons of seeing this for themselves, area pitchers already know it.
Ahlers returns for her senior season to lead Burlington Central in the post-Emily Kisch era after hitting 18 home runs the past two years, including an Elgin area-best 12 last year.
It’s all bat speed.
“I’m trying to be a more consistent player,” Ahlers said. “I think (power) comes from working in the offseason, and we do a lot of hitting and a lot of drills — a lot of tee work.
“We really focus in at practice. Coach (Erica Snyder) makes us focus.”
A Winona State recruit, Ahlers has plenty of help on the left side of the infield and behind her in the batting order from Schrubbe, a third baseman who plans to play next year at Rockford University.
Ahlers drove in 43 runs and batted .570 last year..
“She’s also diverse,” Snyder said. “Last year we beat DeKalb in extra innings because we had her lay a bunt down. She’s very dynamic.”
Through four years Kisch’s presence in the circle was a driving force for the Rockets. She has since gone on to Upper Iowa, and the early season is about transition.
Burlington Central is using the early part of the season to audition pitchers. But junior Julie Barnes looks like Kisch’s heir apparent after winning 4-2 in extra innings over Kaneland Monday to start the season.
It took only one more game for Ahlers to deliver a refresher course about her bat speed, as she homered in blustery conditions Tuesday during a 10-8 loss to Sycamore.
With first baseman Danielle Yurgil, infielder Sarah Kinney and catchers Sarah Schmitt and Lindsay Jamrozek returning, Ahlers and Schrubbe obviously have help. A key will be the outfield.
“We have all freshmen in the outfield,” Ahlers said.
As for being the new face of the program, the role may be shared by Ahlers and Schrubbe.
“They’re both good leaders,” Snyder said. “They’re both good at trying to pick the girls up.
“It’s nice to have girls who have been here for a while. They’re good kids and we’re lucky to have them both.”
Burlington Central is coming off a 26-9 season and has won three straight regional titles.
The two leaders see the Rockets rising not merely as a team, but as an overall program.
“We have three teams for the first time in all four years we’ve been here,” Schrubbe said. “We’ve always only had two. It’s nice to see our organization growing.”
A dominant, experienced pitcher means so much in softball. But Ahlers said the Rockets will adjust and find their new identity.
“Kisch was obviously our top pitcher, but this year we’ve got more depth in our lineup,” Ahlers said. “And, especially, our fielding is better. We’ve got a lot of girls who want to be here.
“I think that’s the difference from this year to last year is our attitude and our motivation.”
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TOP FIVE TEAMS
1. St. Charles North: Louisville recruit Jordyn Wolfe pulls in anything hit to center in her fourth varsity season, while first baseman/catcher Allison Moberg packs a punch (26 RBIs, 5 homers). All-conference pitcher/outfielder Jillian Waslawski, All-Area outfielder Alyssa Eby and hard-throwing Hillsdale recruit Natalie Walters return for the North Stars, who were 23-6 last season.
2. St. Charles East: Since the Saints (32-5) made the sectional final last spring much has changed. But Winona State recruit Rylee Stout returns at catcher (9 homers, 51 RBIs), and there’s more hitting with outfielder Maddie Candre (.379). Pitcher/outfielder Delaney Devor and third baseman Megan Daly return as well.
3. Huntley: Junior pitcher Tiffany Giese (25-7, 2.34 ERA) is committed to Green Bay and makes the Red Raiders (26-9) the Fox Valley favorites. Lewis recruit Rylie Porretto drove in 47 runs last year, and the list of six returning starters also includes Viterbo recruit Caitlin Brown at second.
4. Bartlett: A team with plenty of offense is led by senior Evansville recruit Elyse Hickey (.556, five homers) at third base. Junior catcher Taylor Rotondo (7 homers, 44 RBIs) and junior pitcher/shortstop Amber Pagan also return for the Hakws (23-14).
5. Burlington Central: Kristina Ahlers at short and third baseman Gretchen Schrubbe make the left side of the infield a dead zone for opposing offenses and also strengthen the Rockets’ batting order. A key for Burlington (26-9) will be how junior pitcher Julia Barnes adjusts as staff ace. Juniors Danielle Yurgil and Sarah Kinney return.