Alleycats to feature 3 area players
The Illinois Alleycats 18 and older women’s fastpitch softball team will include three area players – Heather Gradishar (Marian Central), Marissa Osness (Woodstock) and Shannon Stipek (Richmond-Burton).
Gradishar, who finished her freshman year at Kankakee Community College, returns to the circle for the Alleycats. The Cavaliers finished fourth at the National Junior College Athletic Association, and Gradishar was named to the all-tournament team. She finished 16-6 with a 1.29 ERA for KCC.
Alleycats coach Tom Potter said that Gradishar was more of a finesse pitcher.
“[Gradishar] has a good combination of pitches,” Potter said. “She keeps the batters off balance.”
Osness and Stipek both will see time behind the plate for the Alleycats. Stipek is playing for the Alleycats for the first time this summer and played with Gradishar at KCC. She batted .344 this spring as a freshman and is a versatile player who will see time in both the infield and outfield.
Potter called Osness a tireless catcher who brings a wealth of experience to the position and also can hit for power. Having Osness behind the plate is like having another coach on the field.
“I have every confidence in the world in Mo in calling the game,” Potter said. “She’s calls her own game.”
Potter said that he would have eight rookies on the squad this year but expected to be deeper and as talented as any team that he has coached in the eight-year history of Illinois Alleycat softball.
“With the pitching staff we’ve got, we’re going to be strong,” Potter said. “I think we’re going to do real well this year.”
The Alleycats will begin play in Sunday at the Northern Illinois Lightning Round Robin tournament at the Elgin Sports Complex.
For information, visit www.eteamz.com/illinoisalleycats.
Golf courses best in state: Two McHenry County golf courses were named to the 2009/2010 best in state by Golf Digest.
Bull Valley Golf Club in Woodstock came in at No. 17. Bull Valley is known as one of the most difficult courses in the state and tops out at 7,325 yards from the back tees with a par 72.
Chalet Hills Golf Club in Cary was named No. 22 on the list. Chalet Hills boasts a par 73 and is 6,877 yards from the back tees.
• Rob Smith is a sportswriter for the Northwest Herald. Write to him at rsmith@nwherald.com.
