Stevenson Softball Star Makes School History

Abby O'Connor became the first player to ever hit a home run over the fence at the school.

  Stevenson High School’s Abby O’Connor made school history last weekend. The softball star became the first Stevenson player to ever hit a home run over the fence during a game against Evanston on Saturday. The Stevenson High School softball field fence is one of the longest in Illinois, measuring 255 feet in center field. High school softball fences are typically 180 feet to 200 feet from home plate. Barrington High School’s Ashley Berggren and Zion-Benton’s Jennifer Lotz are the only other players to hit a home run over the fence at Stevenson, the Daily Herald reports.

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Softball Star Maria Schroeder Commits to Bradley University

The Lake Zurich High School athlete has verbally committed to play softball at the Peoria-based university this fall, the Daily Herald reports.

  Congratulations to Lake Zurich High School's Maria Schroeder, who will play softball for Bradley University this fall.  The senior softball star has verbally committed to the Division 1 university, the Daily Herald reports. Schroeder attended a camp at the school in January where they offered her a scholarship. She was also talking with recruiters at Northern Illinois University, Georgetown University and the University of Pennsylvania, the newspaper reports. 

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The Sports Kat

LZ Bears Girls Softball Team Slips Past Fremd For Sectional Title

Ela Soccer Club's Elite U23 Men's Team cops cup; LZHS boys lacrosse team falls in semis.

It’s up the ladder to the roof for the Lake Zurich Bears girls softball team, which edged top-seeded Fremd 4-3 on Saturday to take the Class 4A Warren sectional softball title. Trailing 3-2 in the top of the seventh inning, Maria Schroeder pounded a game-tying triple, driving in teammate Carlee Parsons from first. Schroeder then came home with the game-winning run on a throwing error. Starting pitcher Megan Mattera  pitched a perfect seventh, striking out the last two batters she faced to close out the stunning victory for third-seed Lake Zurich, which avenged a 6-0 loss to Fremd on April 7. Mattera was golden down the stretch; after giving up five hits through the first three innings, she pitched no-hit ball the rest of the game. Things …

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Whiz Kids

McGinnis Makes it as This Week's Whiz Kid

Softball powerhouse has more than just ball skills.

Our Whiz Kid for this week is Allison "Alli" McGinnis. She's quiet and likes to let her play on the field speak for itself. She is reluctant to be in the spotlight, but appreciates the acknowledgment of her efforts when noticed. She played junior varsity softball as a freshman and was moved up to varsity for the playoffs that season. Alli made varsity as a sophomore, hit her first home run that year off of Northwestern-bound Olivia Duehr of Antioch, and played outfield and catcher. This year as a junior, she is one of only five players to return to the team - three seniors and two juniors. She has played outfield, catcher and first base this year. Her near-constant contact at the plate is exceptional for a power hitter. Coach Michaela …

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Fundraising Banners Approved at Two Ball Parks

Organization currently seeking sponsors to advertise at Richard E. Staples and Lions parks from May 1 through Oct. 31.

The Lake Zurich Baseball and Softball Association (LZBSA) recently got the go-ahead from the Lake Zurich Village Board to display temporary banners at two ball parks to support fundraising efforts for field improvements and maintenance. Trustees voted to give the association relief from the village sign ordinance that normally allows a maximum of two signs per property.  LZBSA plans to display as many as six banners in each of the seven fields located at Richard E. Staples and Lions parks.  Interested businesses can advertise on the three-by-eight banners for $650. Money raised will go toward capital improvements for all 13 fields used by the organization. “We use the village’s ballparks, but we maintain everything from replacing fences, …

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Academy Plays to Baseball, Softball Enthusiasts of All Ages, Skills

Three owners help share their passion for the game and teach it "the appropriate way."

Go Hardball Training Academy got its start four years ago and now it has a physical location at 100 Oakwood Rd., Suite H. The founders and instructors at the academy (all players themselves) are familiar to Lake Zurich baseball and softball enthusiasts. "We try to offer programs that are age appropriate and that focus on not only the fundamentals of baseball and softball, but everything that surrounds baseball and softball," explained Kate Mitchum, vice president, co-founder and ACE certified personal trainer. "Caring for your body, respect on and off the field for your coaches and for younger kids, learning to wait in line and not speak when the coach is talking." The academy offers hitting, pitching lessons and instruction for baseball …

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