A sophomore-heavy roster with holdover mainstays from a contending team is the centerpiece of Triton College softball head coach
Ken Jurasz's optimism going into another season.
"It's just a testament that the way they passed on traditions," said Jurasz, starting his second season at the helm. "Our freshmen who came back to try for greatness. They bought into the program. They want to stick around. With transfer portals and schools coming calling, retention is always a challenge."
The Trojans have had a competitive staple for multiple seasons – an ace strikeout pitcher in the likes of Alyssa Stramaglia, then
McKenzie Johnson. Jurasz projects a new look – a couple of pitchers who could be whiff queens instead of the swing-and-miss glory concentrated in one person. Both are newcomers to Triton competition.
Amelia Rieger, a Walther Christian Academy alum, will be motivated to make up for lost time after breaking a finger playing third base early last season. She'll be joined in the circle by
Danielle Hoffman, a Trinity alum and transfer, who will be busy logging time in left-field time too.
"That's a dual threat pitching," Jurasz said. "I think those two will be vying for the strikeout title."
Jurasz projects a core of probably four arms to get innings behind Rieger and Hoffman. Transfer
Emani Torres, another Walther Christian product, and Prosser alum
Emily Cruz are expected to be the other pitching regulars. If more arms are needed, freshman outfielder
Mackenzie Bickhaus, a former Niles West star, and utility player
Kelley Tyler, a Riverside-Brookfield alum, can help out.
Jurasz said all will benefit from working with pitching coach Shelby Dalton, once a NCAA Division I pitcher at Eastern Kentucky.
The centerpiece of the batting order will be catcher
Jocelyn Gonzalez (Lincoln Park), of whom Jurasz said, "I haven't seen someone in a long time hit the ball as hard." In the uncommon times when Jurasz wants to rest Gonzalez behind the plate, freshman
Eliza Genis (Ridgewood) will fill in.
Triton's infield will likely be comprised of team captain
Isabella Bruno (Lincoln Park) at third;
Lea Martinez (West Leyden), complemented by
Brianna Gallegos (Warren Township) at shortstop;
Kaitlyn Hoffing (Fenton) at second base, and
Autumn Kelleher (De LaSalle) at first base.
The outfield will be anchored by
Alyssa Bruno (Ridgewood) and Hoffman, when not pitching, in left field, Bickhaus in center field and
Camryn Vawter (Warren Township) in right field.
Jurasz said a typical lineup will have Bickhaus leading off, followed by Hoffing, Gonzalez and Isabello Bruno. "Bickhaus and Hoffing can get on and I want my best hitter (Gonzalez) up there as much as possible with the chance to break games open," he said.
Other Trojans are infielder
Ashley Mendelson (Lockport), catcher
Alanis Ortega (Larkin), utility player
Emani Torres (Walther Christian), and infielders
Miabella Herrera and
Liliana Mar (all Taft alums).
The Trojans will have to battle usual rivals Rock Valley, Kankakee, Bryant and Stratton and Madison in a very competitive Region 4 Division II race. "Madison and Triton are forever like Green Bay and the Bears," he said. "It's great sportsmanship, but not a grudge game."
The Trojans began their season February 28 at the Rosemont Dome Tournament with a pair of games vs. Highland at 9 a.m. and Oakton at 11 a.m.
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(Story by tritonathletics.com contributor George Castle) Â
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