Having just three seniors and four juniors on a varsity squad may not seem like a lot of experience, but this is the Fenwick softball team. Most of the seven upperclassmen already have extensive varsity experience, and that’s good considering the Friars are coming off a 22-11 season.
Bridget Lally, Erin Kelly, Genevieve Berent, and Courtney Monaco return to help guide Fenwick to another 20-plus win season, as well as possible back-to-back regional titles.
Lally, a four-year varsity starter who already signed to play for Loyola University, is expected to be Fenwick’s battering ram this season. The senior shortstop suffered through a lackluster 2006 campaign with lingering quad muscle problems. She batted just .217, a vast difference from her .330 mark of ’05 and .373 average of ’04. Fenwick head coach Bill Monaco said Lally is now 100 percent healthy.
“The problem has been alleviated,” he said. “She now looks like a prototype Olympic athlete.”
Kelly, a senior, will be Fenwick’s ace this season. The senior finished last year 19-6 with an ERA of 0.78. Monaco said his hurler has improved immensely over the offseason.
“Her velocity is up and there’s great movement on her pitches,” he said of Kelly, who gave up just 18 hits in 160 innings last year. “It’s good knowing you’ve got someone on the mound with her talent and experience.”
First basemen Berent and catcher Courtney Monaco are expected to have breakout seasons. Berent is back after being plagued by injuries last season, and Courtney, a junior, batted .299 last year.
Others expected to make an impact this season include Casey Madden, Katie Bigoness, Laura Enrique, Angelica Sanchez, Isabel Sanchez, and Bridget Ellsworth, who batted .318 last season with 21 hits.
Marist, who went undefeated in the East Suburban Catholic Conference last season, looks to be the frontrunner again with Joliet Catholic and Marian Catholic vying for the second place spot. Monaco said with how competitive the conference is he’d be pleased with the Friars falling into the upper half of the division.
“We have a real strong team, but we have some spots to fill, there’s no question,” he said. “Once everyone gets settled in, we should be in good shape.”
The Friars kick off the season at home on March 22 against Proviso West (4:30 p.m.). They’ll travel to Triton College April 11th to take on area rival Trinity (4:30 p.m.).