Thornwood set to put it together // Veterans spur title hope

Thornwood has had one of the state's dominant softball teams thelast six years. But the prize of a state title, which has only cometo the Chicago area once since 1976 (Morton won in 1986), has eludedthe Thunderbirds.

This year, they have the key ingredients to take that extrastep.

The South Holland team ranks No. 1 in the Chicago Sun-Timespre-season poll because it returns four starters from last year'sClass AA fourth-place finisher, including perhaps the state's bestbattery of junior pitcher Tina Zuccolo (21-2) and DePaul-boundcatcher Aimee Benson.

"In this game, good pitching stops good hitting," Thornwoodcoach Gary Lagesse said. "If she is on, Tina has the potential todominate almost any team. She'll be better than last year. Thisyear, I think the mental aspect will be different for Tina. She isgoing to step on the mound and own it."

Juniors Michelle Venturella, the all-state tourney firstbaseman, and Emily Prno, last year's DH, add punch to the lineup.Senior outfielders Kris Paarlberg and Tracy Beard will be keyshitting behind Venturella.

A difficult schedule includes Merrillville, Ind., Rich South,Stagg, Andrew, Lockport, Providence, Joliet-St. Francis andDownstate powers Washington, Bartonville Limestone and Casey.

"We have a lot of holes to fill but a good pitcher can hide alot," Lagesse said. "Our young kids have to come through for us to besuccessful."

Four All-Chicago Area performers return - Carl Sandburg firstbaseman Jenny McGuinness, Providence second baseman Amy Ernst, St.Francis de Sales shortstop Julie Frain and Mundelein outfielder Ashley Struggles.

Here's a look at the area's Super 25:

1. Thornwood: The T-Birds will start sophomores MichelleZeiger and Shannon Hudson on the left side of the infield. Lagessefeels Zeiger "is a gift wrapped athlete" who will be his rookie ofthe year. She has been clocked in 5.2 seconds for the 40.

2. Joliet-St. Francis: Coach Terry Benter returns sevenstarters from last year's sectional finalist. Pitcher Julie Thontlinleads the cast, which includes catcher Maria Miskuska, first basemanJenny Piazza, Joyce Subar, Cam Worland, Jana Meader and Shelly Birsa. It is the school's final season before its fall merger with JolietCatholic. The tough schedule includes a trip to Moline next week and a late April doubleheader with Thornwood.

3. Carl Sandburg: McGuinness (.404. eight HR, 44 RBI) carriesthe big stick, sophomore ace Jenny Crabb returns to the mound andshortstop Missy Kies and outfielder Sherry Muszanski lead the defensefor last year's SICA North champion (29-5). The Eagles are mendingfrom assorted injuries, including two broken noses and infielder MaryTorgeson's arthroscopic knee surgery.

4. Andrew: The Thunderbolts are young but experienced.Shortstop Lesa Arvia and catcher April Prete will key the offense andsophomore Stacy Zarembski is the top pitcher. Two freshmen to watchare infielders Shannon Sands and Carrie Pryblski.

5. Lockport: The Porters return two Division I signees, DedeOdle (Eastern Illinois) and Kara Manley (Indiana). Also back areshortstop Dawn Troutman and outfielder Lisa Ebenrith. Sophomorepitcher Amber Podlesny (22-6, 0.90 ERA), who replaced graduatedsister Leigh on the mound, returns to battle Andrew for the SICA Westtitle.

6. Stagg: Last year, coach Darrell Walery's team was 27-7 andgot respect. With returning pitchers Heidi Neal, Cindy Woods andMichele Meier - who all play in the field when they aren't on themound - leading an experienced squad, the Chargers will challenge Sandburg in the SICA North.Other returning starters are Dana Oleskiewicz and Felcia Larson.

7. Lyons: The West Suburban Silver favorite returns pitcherKristie Hoheisel (10-4, 1.30 ERA) and its entire infield of KarenKajmoicz (19 RBI), Jenny Galto (.445), Maria Siambekos (.383) andslick-fielding shortstop Laura Perek. An improved schedule will testthe Lions, who should have plenty of savvy with key members of theClass AA volleyball state champion.

8. Prospect: The Knights are favored for an eighthMid-Suburban South title. Senior pitcher Jennifer Hernet returnsafter leading Prospect to a 23-6 mark. Also returning are catcherBecky Thorne and outfielders Lori Moore, Laura Lynch and MarisaUrkovich. Sophomore shortstop Aimee Smith, last year's top newcomer,solidifies the infield.

9. Aurora Central: The Chargers are the best in Class A andfavored over Nazareth in the Private League. Three pitchers return -Kelly LeFevre, Kristy Lang and Katie Feltes. Lynn Piscoran, CarrieFranck and Lori Berenyi are solid in the infield and Kallin Vance isthe best outfielder.

10. Washington: Pitcher Johnna Flavell, a transfer from Harlan,figures to give Washington an edge over Taft in the Public League.The New Zealand native is one of the fastest pitchers the city hashad. Third baseman Julie Kawiecki and outfielder Tami Hoff (.410)are offensive catalysts. Judy Simmons, a transfer from Hammond(Ind.) Bishop Noll, and Colette Bosko provide power.

11. T.F. South: Pitchers Shay Wilson and Amy Brewe return forlast year's 21-5 SICA Central powerhouse. The infield is solid withKara Koselke, Debbie Jaroscak and Ellen Kolberg. The key will becoach Dominic DiLeo's ability to build an outfield.

12. Harvard: Cori Lagerhausen (21-2, 0.62 ERA) hurled theHornets to last year's Elite Eight before running into Casey.Harvard was 26-3 last year and could be even better with returningstarters Kari Ritenour, Karla Kruse, Kathy York, Amy Pack and AnnStalo.

13. Hersey: The defending Mid-Suburban champion, withfirst-year coach Al Beard, returns pitcher Debbie Gerdes, NatalieQuinn, Jenny Schultz and Stephanie Jursa. The Huskies have handledProspect in the last two MSL title games and hope this is the yearthey can get by the Knights in the regional.

14. West Chicago: Pitcher Kelly Mathews and the Wildcats were22-5 last year and tied Class AA runner-up Naperville Central for theDu Page Valley title. This year, they are aiming for Pekin.Shortstop Angie Webb is a career .400 hitter. The outfield is onethe best in the area with Theresa Wilson, Missy Vega and MelodyBenson. Laurie Davidson and Sue Thomas are the top infielders.

15. Morris: The Redskins rate an edge over Plainfield in theLittle Seven with pitching ace Kindra Phelps (20-5), who hit .395,back after knee surgery in August. First baseman Jen Wethington(.480) and cleanup hitter Janee Matteson (.344) add plenty of punchand are solid defensively.

16. Mundelein: Susan Musselwhite, 1988 Player of the Year,graduated. But Struggles, pitcher Lynette Kowalke and Cindy Sharkgive coach Jim deRivera a strong enough nucleus for a slight edgeover Zion-Benton and Warren in the North Suburban. Also back fromlast year's Elite Eight qualifier are Michelle Strachn, DemiMichelou, Deanna Deal, Kim Burns and Katie Magoon.

17. IHM: If she can avoid injuries that shortened her last twoseasons, junior Katie Clifford (12-5, 0.91 ERA, 1.8 strikes perinning) could be the dominant pitcher in the western suburbs. Tigerscoach Dave Power plans to use his ace less early in the season soshe's in top form at tournament time. Runs will come in bunches withKristen Dybas, Debbie Kalinski and Stacey Petruncio igniting theoffense.

18. Rich East: Six starters return for the defending SICA Southchampion. The best is first baseman Kerri Tanksley (.500). Alsoback is catcher Jenny Murphy, who hit .431 before breaking her leglast season, Carrie Buckner, Angie Shoyer and Sarah Arndt. The keywill be Angie Alessandrini, who was 8-2 as the Rockets' No. 2 hurlerlast year.

19. Rolling Meadows: The Mustangs return 11 letter-winners andcoach Greg Benes figures to have his best team since winning the 1984MSL title. The keys are Stacey Boron (.400), Jill Gregory, KimAnderson and Debbie Dreyer, a speedy pitcher-outfielder who has neverbeen caught stealing.

20. Maine South: Coach Don Kerr has a rebuilding job afterthree straight trips Downstate. He's done it before and boasts a234-51 career record. Shortstop Jenny Warno, catcher Jenny Smith,Diane Wold and Emily Pasier are the top returnees. Kim Wiederer andJane Steffen figure to share pitching duties. The Hawks figure to bein a tight racewith Evanston, Maine East and New Trier in the Central Suburban Southand Kerr gives them an edge.

21. Zion-Benton: Jennifer Linna (16-3) and leading hitter JillMartin (.467) return from last year's 24-4 team with Heidi Rhodes andJessica Conti. The key will be how fast the Zee-Bees' 13 juniorsdevelop.

22. Oak Park: The Huskies return three-time all-conferenceselection Elly Vitacco and super sophomore Danielle Tyler from lastyear's 27-7 squad to solidify the infield. Last year's backuppitcher Julie Ieronemo may be the key if the Huskies are to challengeLyons in the West Suburban Silver.

23. Bloom: Coach Mark Anderson's Trojans lost to Rich East inthe regional final in nine innings. They'll be better. But willthey be good enough to challenge Thornwood in the SICA East?DePaul-bound shortstop Jenny Bruno, Lisa Wells, pitcher Dawn Johnson,Cathy Price and Monica Perkins are the keys.

24. Maria: The defending GCAC champion returns first basemanJenny Madden, outfielder Andrea DiGrazia and catcher Dawn Jacksonfrom last year's regional champ. Pitching is a question mark.

25. St. Francis de Sales: Junior pitcher Jennifer Iwaszkoshowed flashes of brilliance last year and should help the Pioneerschallenge in the GCAC. Also returning are Frain, Colleen Sabin andKerrie Dawson.