Young anchors core of talented seniors for Belleville West

Belleville West senior outfielder Olivia Young doesn’t step up to the plate looking for a home run. They just seem to happen.

She tied the school record with 13 long balls in 2015 and anchored a solid Maroons offense with a .394 batting average and 33 RBIs.

“I definitely don’t go up there swinging at any pitch the pitcher throws up there,” she said. “If I do get my pitch, I’ll swing at it and good things will happen sometimes.”

That’s what West coach Casey Garrett is counting on again from Young — a rock steady approach at the plate, in the field and in Young’s new role as team captain — especially as the 2016 edition of the Maroons transitions to a blend of experienced upper-classmen and first-time varsity players.

With or without setting a new school mark with 14 home runs, Young will be the glue that helps this still unsettled lineup keep pace with its 22 wins from a year ago.

“Having her back in the lineup is really important to this team, hat’s why I made her the team captain this year,” Garrett said. “She’s always been a quote-unquote power hitter, but she just looks to make good contact. She’s an anchor in the outfield, too, and is a help to the youngsters on the team.”

Leadership is a role Young says she and the teams four other seniors have embraced.

“I think the main difference (from last season) is the returning varsity players and the experience on the team — being able to back one another up and having that extra experience on the field,” she said. “We have several younger players on the team and it really helps to guide them. That’s what we’re here for.”

West finished 22-14 last season and missed advancement to the sectional tournament with an extra-inning walk-off loss to rival Belleville East. Garrett thinks the Maroons, who are off to a 2-2 start in 2016, will be in the postseason mix again.

“Overall, the offense looks very good. You can go up and down the lineup and we don’t have too many weak spots,” she said. “Defensively, too, we have a couple unsettled spots, but we still have good defensive players. We played a straight nine in earlier games because we just didn’t think we needed the flex (player).

“We’re going to be competitive for sure. I see us in the top part of the conference, hopefully in that mix of the top four.”

Experienced leadership

Junior Kiri Evans also returns with her team-leading .396 batting average and 35 runs out of the West leadoff spot. Defensively, Evans will see frequent changes of scenery.

Primarily the Maroons’ catcher in 2015, she’ll take her solid glove wherever Garrett needs it from one game to the next. That means mentoring freshman Aleigha Cory behind the plate, sharing shortstop with Daisha Price, and taking some innings in the outfield.

“Kiri will play some at shortstop because defensively she can get anything and she’s played there in the past,” Garrett said. “Wherever she is on defense, she’ll be strong. She’ll be catching, shortstop or outfield. Basically, she’ll be a starter somewhere. Her ability to play different places is a real key.”

Belleville West’s other seniors will fill in the middle of what should remain a potent offense.

Morgan Hinkle (.324, two home runs, 23 RBIs in 2015), struggles with a nagging back injury, but will return to her post at third base. Magan Glaeser (.324, 10 RBIs) played second base last season, but has found a new home in the outfield.

Glaeser will be called upon to fill the vacancy left by departed center fielder Alliyah St. John, who hit .364 and played stellar defense for the Maroons last year.

“Megan seems more comfortable and confident in the outfield,” Garrett said. “Where she sometimes seemed hesitant in the infield, she just runs and dives and has fun in the outfield. Her confidence is way up.”

Price (.274, one homer, nine RBIs) will return to split time between the two middle infield positions. Abby Donald (.261) will share time in left field with junior Kailey Bold, who got a hit in three varsity at-bats in 2015.

Pitching

Garrett was counting last season on McKenzie Sisk to carry the load inside the pitcher’s circle, but persistent discomfort resulting from a serious back injury the year before limited her. But Isabella “Izzy” Holtrop stepped up to win 13 games with a 2.75 ERA in 101 innings.

She’ll continue to lead from a place of depth for the Maroons. Sophomore Paige Cates, who struck out eight in seven varsity innings a year ago, also will be figure into a rotation.

“Paige has great pitches and I really think we can work off each other,” said Holtrop. “It’s good to have somebody else to back up if one of is having an off day.”

Another sophomore, Allyson Winkelman, also will see some innings in the circle.

Youth at catcher

Garrett will put Cory’s potential behind the plate to the test early. The freshman product of Millstadt schools, brings uncommon maturity to her defense and should benefit at the plate from the varsity exposure.

“She’s got a rocket for an arm and you wouldn’t know she’s a freshman when you watch her defense — her blocking and framing the ball,” Garrett said. “She struggled at the plate in our first two games, but she’s been hitting great in practice. It’s just a matter of getting those jitters out of the way and building some confidence. You could tell she was nervous at the plate and maybe trying to do too much instead of just making contact.

“Aleigha just needs to be more game ready. It will come.”

This story was originally published March 26, 2016 at 12:35 PM with the headline "Young anchors core of talented seniors for Belleville West."