Hilltoppers Softball Graduating Plethora of Seniors

Student-athletes graduate and move on. That’s commonplace in high school sports.

But this year, coach Mary McGrane’s Glenbard West softball team is getting hit particularly hard with graduation losses.  

The Hilltoppers will need to replace six senior starters who contributed greatly to the program’s success—especially in 2011, when they compiled a 24-9 record and finished third in the West Suburban Silver at 9-3.

, Glenbard West’s outstanding leadoff hitter the past three years; ace pitcher Taylor Steinhilber and her cousin, catcher Sarah Steinhilber; second baseman Michele Waggoner; first baseman Dayle Comerford; and outfielder Emily Rooney all received their diplomas earlier this month, as did reserve outfielder Haley Cappozzo.

Ouch.

“We have some pretty big shoes to fill,” McGrane said. “I think they kind of helped define what Glenbard West softball is all about. They worked hard academically, too. They’re seven great academic students, all of whom are going to college.”

McGrane doesn’t yet know who might replace Wyatt at the top of the lineup. Wyatt is taking her all-out style of play to the University of Missouri in Kansas City.

“You have to give me a few months or a few weeks to soak up that I’m losing Bri,” McGrane said. “We’re going to have to find a leadoff hitter that has a very good on-base percentage.”

Taylor Steinhilber went 11-8 with a 1.58 ERA and 64 strikeouts. She combined with Comerford to give Glenbard West a potent middle of the lineup (Steinhilber, .368) usually hit third, and Comerford fifth.)

Rooney arguably was the area’s best No. 9 hitter with a .458 average, a .474 on-base percentage, 19 runs scored and 12 stolen bases.

Sarah Steinhilber’s leadership behind the plate also will be missed. She and Taylor Steinhilber had a calming influence on Taylor Langtry, who had a solid freshman season and likely will become the Hilltoppers’ new No. 1 on the mound.

“I think what helped her (Langtry) most is having a veteran catcher and Taylor,” McGrane said. “Taylor would talk to her and help her."

“The biggest thing for Taylor (Langtry) is that she’s got to come out and own that position, have a little swagger and think, ‘I can stop this team.’ ”

Even though the departure of these aforementioned seniors leaves holes in the lineup, McGrane looks at the rebuilding process as an opportunity for others to step up.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for our younger kids,” she said, “and a lot of it is going to depend on their mental thought process and if they think they’re good enough to replace the graduating seniors. It’s great for some of the younger kids to come in next year and make their mark.”

McGrane, however, won’t completely be starting from scratch. Left fielder Rachel Hitzemann, a junior, returns. She is the Hilltoppers’ left-handed slap-hitting specialist who batted second in the lineup. McGrane used Jacklyn Tyburk as a designated player, and the sophomore hit .386 with two homers and 24 RBIs.

Meanwhile, Kelly Borneman started at third base, and Maddie Morris returns at shortstop. Both are juniors.