The OPRF softball team was supposed to play its season opener last Saturday but cold weather said otherwise. That was fine with head coach Mel Kolbusz, who spent the first few practices evaluating several newcomers to the varsity squad.
One thing Kolbusz is sure of this season is who his pitchers and catchers will be. Seana Stillson and Sara Hutchinson return to the mound seniors. Stillson, a right-handed, grunting hurler with a wicked fastball clocked at 60 mph in the offseason, finished 16-6 last year with a thimble of an ERA (0.87). Hutchinson was just as impressive, going 12-1 with a 1.35 earned run average. Juniors Lauren Gonzalez and Mara Blesoff return to share duties behind the plate. Gonzalez batted .342 last season, knocking in 24 RBIs, while Blesoff drove in 22 for the Huskies.
“One could say pitching and catching are going to be our strong points this season,” said Kolbusz, now entering his 14th year as head coach at OPRF. “It’s no secret that we have the talent at those positions. Now, it’s just a matter of figuring out where everyone else falls into place.”
No doubt Kolbusz will rely heavily on Kim Grimes. The senior played three different positions last season and drove in the squad’s second most RBIs (26). Grimes, a first baseman, designated hitter, and outfielder is expected to find a permanent spot in the outfield, according to Kolbusz.
“We’ll need Kim in the lineup that’s for sure,” he said. “She brings so much to the table with her bat.”
Megan White is another holdover from last season’s 33-7 team that reached the Class AA State Quarterfinals. White, a middle infielder, batted .486 in 35 at bats last year.
Kolbusz is convinced a slew of talented newcomers to varsity will help fill the void of three key players from last season that simply decided not to play this year, one a starter on the 2007 team. Three seniors join varsity in Rayanna Davis, Ally Waterman, and Noelle Parr. Davis, a strong power hitter, batted .403 with five home runs on junior varsity last season.
Other new recruits expected to make an impact include juniors Asia Babbington (outfielder), Maggie Paoli (first baseman), Elayna Citko (outfielder), K.C. Montgomery (pitcher, 13-2 on JV) and Jane Brennan, who led the JV team with 30 RBIs.
The Huskies are likely to be vying against Lyons Township and Downers Grove North for their third straight West Suburban (Silver) Conference title. OPRF finished 11-1 in conference last year.
Kolbusz said he’s certain the loaded schedule will help prepare his young team for the postseason.
“I look at our schedule and I see maybe two or three teams on there that I’m sure we can beat,” he said. “It’s going to take a big effort from our younger girls to get us where we want to be at the end of the regular season.”
The Huskies will again travel to Ohio for the Wendy’s Classic, a premiere tournament that features top teams from several different states. They’ll also take on tough teams like Morton, Wheaton Warrenville, Lockport, Glenbard North and Resurrection, who made it to the Elite Eight last season.
“This by far is going to be one of the toughest schedules we’ve had in a long time,” said Kolbusz, whose team will take on area-rival Trinity on April 3. “Then, with the new Class 4A, where only four teams go downstate, it makes things that much more difficult. But we’ll just have to see what happens.”
Weather permitting, the Huskies were scheduled to open the season last night at Addison Trail (after deadline). They are to host Morton tomorrow (Thursday, 4:30 p.m.) in the home opener.