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Chicago Tribune
a day ago
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Introducing the 2025 Post-Tribune Softball All-Area Team
Four players from Lake Central, four players from Munster and three players from Crown Point highlight the first and second teams. Ally Compton, Munster, sophomore, pitcher/infielder: Batted .464 with program-record 19 home runs, 52 RBIs and 19 runs scored for Northwest Crossroads Conference champion. Also went 15-5 with 2.40 ERA and 160 strikeouts in 122 1/3 innings. All-state first team, conference offensive player of the year. Sadie Drousias, Andrean, junior, pitcher: Went 15-7 with 2.82 ERA and 94 strikeouts in 146 2/3 innings for Class 2A state runner-up. Also hit .424 with five home runs, 40 RBIs and 29 runs scored. All-conference. Olivia Fuentes, Lowell, senior, pitcher: Went 13-4 with 2.31 ERA and 161 strikeouts in 118 1/3 innings. Also hit .435 with four home runs and 16 RBIs. North All-Star, conference pitcher of the year. Committed to St. Francis. Ashlyn Kita, Crown Point, junior, third baseman: Batted .505 with eight home runs, 42 RBIs and 35 runs scored for 4A state champion. All-state second team, all-conference. Committed to DePaul. Paige Liezert, Crown Point, junior, pitcher: Went 20-2 with 0.85 ERA and 293 strikeouts in 139 2/3 innings for 4A state champion. All-state first team, all-conference. Committed to Miami of Ohio. Kate Renschen, Lake Central, senior, third baseman: Batted .510 with one home run, 17 RBIs, 42 runs scored and 36 steals for Duneland Athletic Conference champion. North All-Star, all-state first team, all-conference. Committed to Northwestern. Taylor Schafer, Lake Central, senior, shortstop: Batted .529 with five home runs, 47 RBIs and 32 runs scored for DAC champion. North All-Star, all-state second team, conference MVP. Committed to Appalachian State. Sienna Stilley, Hanover Central, junior, catcher: Batted .522 with 17 home runs, 54 RBIs and 21 runs scored for 3A state runner-up. All-state first team, all-conference. Committed to Jacksonville State. Maddie Such, Lake Central, sophomore, pitcher: Went 17-3 with 1.79 ERA and 183 strikeouts in 121 innings for DAC champion. All-state second team, all-conference. Addison Toczek, Hebron, senior, utility/pitcher: Batted .432 with two home runs, 12 RBIs, 28 runs scored and 31 steals. Also had 3.47 ERA and 93 strikeouts in 74 2/3 innings. All-state second team, conference MVP. Committed to Pittsburgh. Lydia VanderWoude, Illiana Christian, senior, shortstop: Batted .583 with four home runs, 22 RBIs, 39 runs scored and 27 steals for Greater South Shore Conference co-champion. North All-Star, all-state second team. Committed to Belmont. Maggie Voliva, Andrean, senior, third baseman: Batted .485 with one home run, 32 RBIs, 39 runs scored and 10 steals for 2A state runner-up. All-conference. Committed to St. Mary's. Sienna Antkiewicz, Hanover Central, senior, shortstop: Batted .361 with three home runs, 36 RBIs and 31 runs scored for 3A state runner-up. All-conference. Committed to St. Xavier. Jillian DeYoung, Hanover Central, freshman, pitcher: Went 7-7 with 1.88 ERA and 165 strikeouts in 111 2/3 innings for 3A state runner-up. Also hit .362 with four home runs, 17 RBIs and 14 runs scored. All-conference. Grace Gabriel, Wheeler, freshman, utility/pitcher: Batted .507 with 14 RBIs, 37 runs scored and 33 steals for GSSC co-champion. Also had 4.38 ERA and 88 strikeouts in 78 1/3 innings. All-state third team. Preslee Hill, Lowell, junior, third baseman: Batted .550 with 10 home runs, 29 RBIs and 25 runs scored. All-state third team, all-conference. Lexi Iwema, Lake Central, junior, outfielder: Batted .417 with five home runs, 31 RBIs and 37 runs scored for DAC champion. All-state third team, all-conference. Committed to Indiana. Delilah Kincaid, Valparaiso, sophomore, third baseman: Batted .446 with 10 home runs, 30 RBIs and 38 runs scored. All-state third team, all-conference. CeCe Mason, Munster, senior, shortstop: Batted .341 with six home runs, 21 RBIs, 33 runs scored and 12 steals for NCC champion. All-conference. Kaylee O'Connell, Munster, sophomore, pitcher/infielder: Batted .337 with six home runs, 19 RBIs and 15 runs scored for NCC champion. Also went 11-1 with 2.09 ERA and 109 strikeouts in 83 2/3 innings. All-conference. Lexi Smith, Crown Point, senior, designated player/pitcher: Batted .400 with 18 RBIs, 34 runs scored and 14 steals for 4A state champion. Also went 11-2 with 2.59 ERA and 96 strikeouts in 78 1/3 innings. North All-Star, all-state third team, all-conference. Committed to Marian. Jordan Steele, Highland, junior, outfielder: Batted .455 with three home runs, 26 RBIs and 32 runs scored for 3A sectional champion. All-conference. Mercedes Szakacs, Boone Grove, senior, infielder/outfielder: Batted .394 with three home runs, 16 RBIs and 16 runs scored for Porter County Conference Tournament champion. All-conference. Committed to Purdue Northwest. Caroline Wendlinger, Munster, sophomore, utility: Batted .420 with 12 home runs, 32 RBIs and 33 runs scored for NCC champion. All-state third team, all-conference.
Indianapolis Star
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
'I know he's with me': Senior remembers late father after leading Cathedral softball to state
WEST LAFAYETTE — Anna Moore was the last one out for the start of the seventh inning Saturday night. The Cathedral senior grabbed her glove and facemask from the cubbyhole above the bench and shared a brief moment with assistant coach Janae Hogg, the two laughing and holding hands, before she high-fived a couple young Fighting Irish fans on her way up the dugout stairs and onto the field. Cathedral was three outs away from a 5-4 victory over Hanover Central in the Class 3A softball state championship game. And about 20 minutes later, Moore led her team in singing the school fight song with the mass of fans seated behind home plate, then was mobbed by her teammates when she was announced as the 3A Mental Attitude Award recipient, a demonstration of this group's genuine love for one another. A little later, Moore helped orchestrate a well-executed Gatorade dump on coach Tony Matthews in the outfield. They caught him mid-interview, then wrapped him in another hug. "I wouldn't be where I am without this guy. I mean it," Moore said. As the celebration ensued behind him, a dripping-wet Matthews recalled coaching Moore's older sister, Valerie, to a regional championship in 2016 and photos of a young Anna covered in facepaint, running around with a little sign cheering them on. "She's a great girl with a great attitude. She's always positive about things," Matthews said of Anna, who went 2-for-2 with a run scored and two RBIs in her final high school game. Moore and Matthews share a familial relationship, a bond strengthened after Anna's father, David Moore, died of a heart attack in March 2022. While he was hospitalized, Matthews brought Anna to the practice fields to help take her mind off things. His mom had died a couple years earlier, which "made it easy for us to talk about those kinds of things," Anna said. "I'm never afraid to tell him when I'm not doing OK," she continued. When David died following a week-long hospital stay, Matthews assured Anna, then a freshman, that she was OK to miss tryouts. You're our shortstop. You don't need to worry about a thing. The pair's relationship only strengthened over the following years. Matthews would drive Moore to softball activities and welcomed her to train at his facility, Champions Edge, on the east side of Indianapolis to help out her mother, Nancy. 'It all means so much': Lizzy Sinders caps Clay City career at state with dad as coach, sister as AD. "We bonded so much during those car rides back-and-forth to hitting," Matthews smiled. "The amount of time he spends with me at the field, throwing to me, after practice, during the summer — we're going to get right back at it because I have travel ball games in four days," Anna said. "He's such an amazing guy. He always puts us before himself. … It's so amazing.' In softball terms, Moore — whose Mental Attitude Award news release notes her involvement with Guardian Angels, a group to help students who have lost loved ones, and Anna's Celebration of Life Foundation, which supports children with disabilities — established herself among the state's best. A career .517 hitter, the Purdue softball recruit collected 187 hits, 175 runs (fifth all-time in state history), 106 RBIs and 15 homers (career-high seven this spring) in her four seasons, with 58 stolen bases on 64 attempts. She improved dramatically defensively over the past two seasons, recording just five errors on 163 attempts with 70 putouts, 88 assists and 13 double plays (26 career). Playing at her soon-to-be home field, Purdue's Bittinger Stadium, Moore gave Cathedral a lead it would not relinquish Saturday with a two-run double in the fourth. She also converted all four chances in the field (three putouts, one assist). "It's all hats off to her," Matthews said. "She's the one who put the work in. I just drove and threw the ball. She's always asking, 'Hey coach, come on, let's hit. I want to hit some more. Field me some grounders, I need another bucket.' Her work ethic is unbelievable." Anna's attitude, her drive, her positivity — it's all a reflection of her father. A Cathedral and Purdue alum himself, David was always smiling, always joking and upbeat, his daughter said. "Everyone loved to be around him." Anna fondly recalled car rides together with the windows down during the summer and practicing fielding at the local park. Her dad never got mad if she made a mistake … he would just hit it harder so she could do it right. "He always wanted me to be my best," said Anna, who has her dad's birthday, Nov. 11 (11/11), stitched into her glove. Softball was (and is) her safe space, a welcome distraction from the grief. "It's always fun." More: She's in a wheelchair — and now a state champ: 'We're so thankful she's part of this program' As she stood in the outfield Saturday night, blue medal draped around her neck and Matthews, her beloved coach, standing alongside her, Anna reflected on her father's memory and the significance of Cathedral's championship moment. "With Father's Day being tomorrow, I know (my dad) is with me. It's so cool," she smiled. "He'd be over the moon excited for me. I started playing softball with him, so to do this for him, it's such a special moment.'
Chicago Tribune
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Hanover Central's Rebecca Ferguson shines in the spotlight in the 3A state final: ‘She knew she could do it'
WEST LAFAYETTE, Indiana — In the moment Saturday night, Hanover Central's Rebecca Ferguson knew she wasn't alone. The junior second baseman stepped to the plate with two outs and two teammates in scoring position in the seventh inning of the Class 3A state championship game. Top-ranked Indianapolis Cathedral had a three-run lead. 'There was a lot of pressure,' Ferguson said. 'But I had my teammates and my family, and everyone who came out was there to support me.' Ferguson came through, hitting a two-run single to give the Wildcats hope, but Cathedral pulled out a 5-4 win at Purdue's Bittinger Stadium. 'Everyone fought to the end and gave it everything they had,' Ferguson said. 'I don't think one person wasn't ready every second.' Ferguson, who entered the game hitting .324 with 15 RBIs, certainly seemed ready when it mattered most. 'Big hit,' Hanover Central coach Sam Antkiewicz said. 'Everyone on our team has had key hits throughout the year. She was right there battling, and she was able to get a barrel on it and put that ball over the second baseman's head. 'That's just a testament to her, knowing what to do, the softball IQ, and looking for a pitch she could handle and put the ball in play. She put the ball in play, and good things happen.' In the seventh, Hanover Central junior center fielder Adeline McMahon and junior designated player Kaden Poppe walked with one out and advanced on a wild pitch before Ferguson's hit. 'That was great,' Hanover Central junior catcher Sienna Stilley said. 'You could tell by the way she was just looking to attack, and that's exactly what she did. She had so much confidence in herself, and she knew she could do it. 'She got so much energy from the dugout because we were telling her, 'You got it,' and she did. I'm very, very happy for her.' Stilley crushed a two-run homer to left-center to give the Wildcats (18-3) the lead in the third inning against Cathedral (29-2), which was ranked No. 1 in the final state coaches poll and won its first championship. 'It was electric,' Stilley said. 'That's the only word for it. You look up from running the bases and you see your entire fan base standing there and cheering you on. That's one of the best feelings I've ever had in my entire life. 'We worked really, really hard. It just goes to show that no matter what your record looks like, you can't count us out. It just goes to show how much we care and how much we love it. We stuck together.' Cathedral scored four runs in the fourth against freshman pitcher Jillian DeYoung, who continued to excel in the circle and also had one of the Wildcats' four hits, and added a run in the fifth. Sophomore left fielder Nora Edgerton also had a hit for Hanover Central. 'You can't ask for anything more,' Antkiewicz said. 'Obviously, we'd like to be in the opposite position where we're up a couple of runs going into that last inning. But we're down, and credit to our girls, they didn't give up, they kept chipping away, kept getting girls on base. 'Then the next thing you know, we have the tying run up to the plate, and that's what I told them all along — just hang in there, just hang in there. When you're within three runs, you're within striking distance.' Antkiewicz came away impressed. 'I can't be prouder of this group,' he said. 'I'm so proud of the way they fought back and the way they handled themselves and the way they showed they deserve to be here.' Indeed, the Wildcats weren't the most likely of state finalists, but they proved worthy. 'We were really the underdogs,' Ferguson said. 'It was amazing we came through and beat everyone who we weren't expected to beat, even though we got here and couldn't do it.'
Indianapolis Star
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
Early deficits 'fuel Cathedral's fire.' That proved true again in 3A championship game
WEST LAFAYETTE — To the uninitiated, it may have seemed like Cathedral was up against it in the early goings of Saturday's Class 3A softball state championship game. Hanover Central's Sienna Stilley opened the scoring in the top of the third with a two-run homer and considering how freshman ace Jillian DeYoung carved through the Irish lineup, it felt like that might be enough. But honestly, it would have been weird if Cathedral didn't surrender the game's first runs. "A girl even mentioned that in the huddle. We've been here before," junior pitcher Sidney Feczko said. "Half of our games in postseason we've gotten down, then we came up. It honestly just fuels our fire. We want it even more. And it's an even more amazing feeling when you can come back from being down. It's so rewarding." IHSAA softball state finals scores: Cathedral wins 3A title. See who else lifted trophies More: She's confined to wheelchair — and now a state champ Yeah, nothing about what transpired Saturday night was new for the Irish. Just last weekend they rallied from early deficits against both New Palestine and Evansville Memorial to secure the first semistate championship in program history. Retaliation from the first-time finalists felt inevitable and after threatening an immediate response in the bottom of the third, they broke through with four runs in the fourth and tacked on another in the fifth en route to a 5-4 win over Hanover Central. The state championship is the first in program history for Cathedral, which finishes the season 29-2. "We worked so hard for this. Every practice, every game," said junior catcher Kelsey Beres, who singled in the insurance run in the fifth. "We're a family. This is absolutely amazing." "We kept the energy, stayed together and got the win," added sophomore Curstyn Hansbrough, who drove in Cathedral's first run with a base hit to right that scored Amya Gary. Different players stepped up at different points throughout the tournament, coach Tony Matthews proudly pointed out, and Saturday, it was the bottom half of the lineup with the 6-7-8-9 hitters — Amya Gary, Sydney Matthews, Kelsey Beres and Curstyn Hansbrough — accounting for five hits, two RBIs and three runs scored. They got on base, generated some offense and turned the lineup over to senior Anna Moore, who capitalized with two hits, two RBIs and a run scored. The Mental Attitude Award recipient, she followed Hansbrough's initial salvo with a two-run double to left center, then came in to score on a Jordyn Hazelwood single that was misplayed in the outfield. "The middle and bottom of the lineup came through like it did, then the top of the lineup did its thing, too," Matthews said. "This bunch, they just bring it together with everything." "Everyone can get it done in our lineup and 6-7-8-9, they got it done," Feczko smiled. "Everyone has a role on this team and they filled their role tonight. It was amazing. It was such a team win." In the Cathedral circle, Feczko was typically dependable. Her junior campaign was defined by her mental growth and she proved unflappable in the season finale, buckling down to strand the tying run on second in the seventh with her 10th strikeout of the night. Feczko finished the game with four runs on four hits with 10 strikeouts and four walks. "She's absolutely amazing. She's such a great pitcher and she's always upbeat," Beres said. "I just love catching for her. I can trust that she will pitch it. I trust her, she trusts me." Feczko never gets down on herself, Hansbrough added, with Feczko quickly interjecting: "It's easy for me when I have teammates like this."
Indianapolis Star
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
Why Cathedral is playing for 3A title: Chemistry, speed and unsung heroes
INDIANAPOLIS — There are pieces missing from the Cathedral softball trophy case, notable absences amidst the numerous City crowns, 22 sectional championships and seven regional titles. The Irish secured the first of those two pieces with last weekend's semistate sweep of New Palestine and Evansville Memorial. Now they'll try to complete the program's collection against Hanover Central in the Class 3A state championship game (7 p.m. Saturday). This opportunity would be special regardless, longtime coach Tony Matthews said Wednesday. He and assistant coach Linda Bamrick have waited 14 years for this opportunity (four regional titles during their tenure). But to do it with this group? That makes it all the more meaningful. "This group of girls, the way they have fought for each other, we're just so excited for them," Matthews said. "They have each other's backs all the time. … They just believe." Team chemistry was a talking point entering the season, too, one cited by senior shortstop Anna Moore during preseason media day as perhaps the team's biggest strength. The players began going to Bible study together last season, which "brought us together in a way not many other schools can replicate," she explained. "It's really special being able to share faith and our love for each other," the Purdue commit continued. "The environment we've created is so special." Those bonds further elevated an already highly talented Cathedral outfit, which is 28-2 with notable regular-season wins over West Lafayette Harrison, Lutheran, Silver Creek, Danville, Castle, Noblesville, Avon, Roncalli and East Central. After breezing to tournament wins over Bishop Chatard, Herron and Lebanon, the Irish found themselves trailing New Palestine, 1-0, after a half inning — a potentially devastating development against the powerhouse Dragons, who run-ruled them at regional last spring. But there was never any panic nor any moments of doubt inside the Cathedral dugout. They continued trusting each other and stayed the course, keeping their opponent at bay until the bottom of the fifth when freshman Jordyn Hazelwood ripped a bases-loaded triple to set her side on course for a 4-1 victory. Quality arms, veteran catcher, more: Why Center Grove softball is playing for 4A state title Now the upperclassmen-led Irish are on the precipice of program history, looking to fight off an upset-minded Hanover Central outfit that punched its ticket to West Lafayette by dethroning defending 3A state champion Western (2-1 in nine innings). The Wildcats feature an up-and-coming freshman in ace Jillian Deyoung — she allowed only one unearned run on 10 hits with 13 strikeouts over nine innings last Saturday — and a lineup that's batting .341 collectively against a schedule highlighted by 2A finalist Andrean, Munster, Lake Central, 4A finalist Crown Point and New Prairie. "At this point, we're not even playing for ourselves," senior first baseman Maddie Liter said. "We're playing for the coaches. We want to win it for them. We want to put the plaque up for Cathedral as a school, to have this recognition, and for the program that Matthews and Bam have built." "I'm so happy we get this last game together," senior third baseman Angie Valentine added. Here's why the Irish are playing for state. Feczko as a sophomore: 20-4, 2.00 ERA (40 earned runs), 169 strikeouts, .210 opponent batting average (14 doubles), .288 opponent on-base. Feczko this season: 19-1, 1.25 ERA (23 earned runs), 204 strikeouts, .141 OBA (2 doubles), .239 OBP. The junior Dartmouth commit was tagged for 12 runs (five earned) in last year's season-ending loss to New Palestine. She "really took that personally" and within a day or two, she was back to work, dedicating herself to both the mental and physical aspects of her game. Feczko — who's also among the team's leading hitters at .459 with 39 hits, seven doubles, five homers and 28 RBIs — spun a one-hit shutout of Castle with 10 strikeouts at the Carmel Invite, struck out 16 in the sectional opener against Chatard and totaled 23 strikeouts with only three runs allowed last Saturday at semistate. "She's starting to believe in herself," Moore said. "She's always lacked confidence, which is crazy with how amazing she is, but we've tried to instill in her, like, 'Dude, you're so amazing. Just believe in yourself.'" Cathedral has turned more double plays (27) than it has committed errors (21). None of its fielders have been charged with more than seven miscues, and the two leaders in that category deserve context. Hazelwood's (6) athleticism and understanding of the game allow her to make plays that more than make up for the occasional miscue (more on the up-and-coming middle infielder this week), while Liter (5) is among the team leaders with a .958 fielding percentage. Cathedral went four consecutive games without an error, then recorded an out on 23-of-24 total chances against Memorial in the semistate championship game. You have to earn your opportunities against the Irish, because they seldom beat themselves. "It takes so much stress off my shoulders," Feczko said of her defense. "I'm not scared to miss a pitch, which is really important because you need to trust everything you have. If by chance you don't hit that spot, you need to trust your defense has your back." When Hazelwood ripped that ball to the left field wall against New Palestine, Matthews knew Moore was scoring from first base. In the championship game against Memorial, Cathedral stole four bases and scored three of their four runs on passed balls. For the season, they've stolen 110 bases (120 attempts). Cathedral's baserunners are taught to keep their hips pointed in the direction of the next base, Matthews said. They're always in a running stance and when they shuffle off, they're still looking at second base or looking at home so they don't have to crossover. There are names and statlines atop that Cathedral lineup that will grab your attention immediately: Liter (Austin Peay commit), Moore, Valentine (Evansville) and Feczko have all been massive presences at the plate during their careers, and Hazelwood has met (if not exceeded) the sky-high expectations ascribed to her entering the season. But it's been the emergence of outfielder Amya Gary, outfielder/third baseman Sydney Matthews and catcher Kelsey Beres in the 6-7-8 spots that has brought much-needed depth to this lineup and made it very difficult to pitch around anyone. Gary, a junior, is in the midst of a breakout season, batting .436 with 34 hits, 20 RBIs and 24 runs. She's maintained a .511 OBP and stolen 18 bases on 19 attempts, with her game log highlighted by a couple three-hit outings. She had a double and a run scored vs. Memorial. Matthews maintained her average around .400 most of the season, and currently sits at .362 with 25 hits, 19 RBIs and 22 runs scored. She has homered twice (first of her career) and swiped seven bases. Beres has shined in her first season as starting catcher, going error-free in the field with a double play, while also logging 19 hits (five doubles) and 16 RBIs at the plate. Another name to keep an eye on: Curstyn Hansbrough, who's logged 16 hits and stolen seven bases through 30 games.
