Stars Past and Present Shine in Annual Alumni Softball Game
Saturday was a celebration of the storied history of the La Grange softball program – and a little taste of what this year’s scrappy, young Lady Leps softball team might be capable of.
Against a stacked pitching staff of LG grads (Including Missy Zoch, who led LHS to two state titles before a storied college pitching career that just ended last year), the Lady Leps generated just enough offense to win 5-3 in their annual battle against alumni greats.
“We couldn’t ask for a better scrimmage,” said La Grange head coach Amanda Arlund. “A lot of other teams wouldn’t have given us competition like this. We got to see five really good pitchers (Lindsey Vasek, Abbey Weyand, Amanda Cernosek, Zoch and Mikaylee Supak), all of which were major factors when they were here.”
This year’s La Grange softball team had just one senior, but Abby Dela Rosa showed Saturday she’s ready to lead as she pitched a complete game.
“If we are going to just have one senior, what a senior to have,” Arlund said. “Pitching is not what she’s going to college for but she knows that’s what we need and she is stepping up in a big way.”
Dela Rosa will be the Lady Leps’ No. 1 pitcher after an injury to Marissa Gonzalez will likely sideline last year’s district newcomer of the year her entire sophomore season
And Dela Rosa (who has accepted a scholarship to play college ball at St. Mary’s) is ready for her fourth and final year on the Lady Leps varsity
“We have a young team, but I’m proud of how everyone has stepped up,” Dela Rosa said.
But Dela Rosa said Saturday’s scrimmage tested the varsity in a lot of ways.
“I think everyone was impressed with the talent there on the alumni team, especially Missy, everyone wanted to give their best performance against her.”
Zoch pitched two innings and struck out six, but in between all these strikeouts, Freshman Morgan Schroeder singled and then scored on a double by her sister, junior Madison Schroeder.
“When we got two hits off Missy, that was huge confidence wise,” Arlund said. “I was really proud of them.”
Zoch had a 90-4 career pitching record in a Lady Leps uniform with a 0.69 ERA. She went on to be a two-time All-Big East Conference First Team pitcher at DePaul University in Chicago, before transferring to Texas Tech where she played three more seasons, with a 34- 25 record and a 3.03 ERA.
“I realized I was more out of shape than I thought,” Zoch laughed after the game. “But being back out here brought back all the memories. I was so fun.”
Zoch graduated with a degree in sports management and is now a select softball coach for a team of 6th and 7th graders based in Schulenburg.
“I thought about maybe going into college coaching, but right now I’m a little homesick after being in Chicago for two years and Lubbock for three,” Zoch said. “They (this year’s Lady Leps varsity) are capable of doing big things, and being back home this year hopefully I can make some games and support them and be a proud alumni.”
After the Schroeders tied the game at 2-2, the alumni went ahead 3-2 when Natalie Blackwell tripled and was drove home by Aly Trlicek.
But the young La Grange lineup won the game in the bottom of the seventh. Sarah Kay walked and eventually came around to score. Dela Rosa singled Jena Jobb to third. She scored on a wild pitch and then a single by Avery Marshall plated Dela Rosa.
“What a great start,” said Arlund, whose team has three more scrimmages before opening the season Feb. 15 at Lexington. “Even though we are a really young team, they have all played enough ball to be okay with that, but it’s the experience of playing together that we’ll work on.”
La Grange Alumni players
Player .............Year Graduated
Natalie Blackwell ..............2021
Aly Trlicek ..........................2020
Mikaylee Supak ................2020
Abbey Weyand ..................2019
Raeley Polasek .................2018
Missy Zoch ........................2016
Brianna Janda ...................2014
Brittni Keilers ....................2011
Elizabeth Faldyn ...............2005
Amanda Arlund .................2002
Lindsey Gutierrez .............2002
Candice Hall ......................2002
Lynsey Vasek ....................2000
Amanda Cernosek ............1999
Megan Cooper