Amid high expectations, Hanover Central has opened the season with a flourish.
The Wildcats’ performance has been sparked, in part, by the way last season ended.
In an otherwise exceptional 2016 that included an undefeated run through the Greater South Shore Conference, they lost 12-3 to Andrean in a Kankakee Valley Sectional semifinal.
Not only had Hanover won three straight sectional titles, but the Wildcats also had won three straight regionals.
“This could come out wrong, but we needed our butts kicked a little last year,” coach Amanda Suarez said. “We won for so long, it became an expectation like it’s just going to happen. As much as I hate to say it about our own team, our own kids, we needed a kick in the butt.
“Now they want it. They have a bitter taste in their mouth from last year and I’m confident they won’t let the same thing happen to them this year.”
Suarez truly does speak from a place of affection.
It’s typically emotional to graduate any senior class, but it will be particularly so with this one.
There’s a strong bond among the seven members, as well as with Suarez.
When these seniors were freshmen, Suarez returned to her alma mater, spending two seasons as an assistant before succeeding Larry McMillen.
Five are planning to play in college: Marley Hanlon (Illinois-Chicago), Alexis Mokos (Manchester), Alyssa Gill (Ferris State), Sophia Barbosa (Corban) and Skylar Barnett (DePauw).
“I’ve seen them pretty much every day for four years,” Suarez said. “I taught one subject and then switched to another, so I’ve had some of them in class for two years. I’m the class sponsor, so there’s field trips and graduation and graduation practice and the senior picnic. There’s the homecoming parade and floats and decorating the hallways. I’ve done a lot with this group outside of softball. It’s going to especially difficult.”
More Top Picks Best Two Stage Gas Snow Blowers
The Wildcats have every intention of delaying such good-byes as long as possible. Mokos has liked what she’s seen.
“Most of our team is seniors and we’re all going toward the same goal,” the catcher said. “One last go-around and we’re really hoping it’s the best yet.”
Going deep: Munster coach Beth Thornburg has options when it comes to the Mustangs’ pitching staff.
Junior Amy Kaniewski has excelled in the early stages of the season. Sophomore Dayton Elliott has shown promise. And Thornburg mentioned the possibility of using a third pitcher, with freshman Emily Dato also listed on the roster.
Elliott came to the forefront Friday against Crown Point, on the verge of defeating the co-No. 1 team in Class 4A before the Bulldogs rallied for a 3-2 win in eight innings. She allowed two earned runs on nine hits with seven strikeouts and four walks in 7 2/3 innings.
“She has gobs of potential,” Thornburg said. “Sometimes she tries to be too fine and then she gets too deep in the count too often. But she’s definitely going to be very good when it’s all said and done.”
Twitter @MichaelOsipoff
TOP 10
With records through Friday, based on results reported to the Post-Tribune, and last week’s rankings in parentheses.
1. Crown Point 3-0 (1)
2. Kankakee Valley 2-0 (2)
3. Hanover Central 2-0 (3)
4. Munster 1-3 (4)
5. Lake Central 2-1 (5)
6. Chesterton 1-2 (6)
7. LaPorte 3-0 (7)
8. Boone Grove 2-0 (8)
9. Bishop Noll 3-0 (9)
10. Andrean 1-1 (10)
Player of the Week: Andrean’s Abby Graegin pitched a four-hitter Tuesday, allowing one walk with five strikeouts in a 1-0 win over Munster.