Mid-season Report: St. Francis Softball Team Getting Solid Offense, Stellar Pitching

Record (through Thursday, May 5): 15-4 overall, 10-0 in the Suburban Christian Conference Blue Division.

Coach Ralph Remus’ mid-season team grade: B+

Update: The Spartans’ usually potent offense hit a bump in the road for two consecutive games. St. Francis tallied one run on Saturday, April 30 in a 7-1 loss to , a formidable nonconference opponent. On Monday, May 2, the Spartans defeated SCC Blue foe Immaculate Conception, but again scored only one run as ace pitcher Taylor Ronchetto tossed a four-hit shutout. However, the Spartans got back into the swing of things offensively with a 5-0 triumph over Montini—a game in which Ronchetto fired a no-hitter. St. Francis sits on top of the SCC Blue with a two-game lead. Senior Laura Behnke, along with juniors and Blaine Carragher, are the team’s leading hitters.

Quoting Coach Remus

On the team’s offense: “Offensively, we were kind of quiet on Saturday (vs. Glenbard South) and kind of quiet on Monday (vs. IC). We’ve been pretty consistent up until then so I want to think it’s a temporary lull. I hope we start to be a little more aggressive. I have to give credit to the other teams, though. Maybe those other two teams just were good in holding us to one run.”

On the team’s defensive play: “We’ve been very consistent and not beating ourselves. If somebody beats us it’s because they’ve come out and hit the ball. We’ve been consistent enough defensively that I’m confident we’re not going to go out and beat ourselves. We have a lot of experience out there so I’m pretty confident with them.”

On the team’s pitching: “Taylor has been very consistent. I honestly think she’s stronger now than she was at the beginning of the season. She’s a senior and has got a lot of experience. She knows she just can’t throw it by people. She changes speeds and changes locations and that’s what gives her a notch above other pitchers. Laura Behnke has pitched a couple of times; she’ll probably start all the nonconference games as we go from here.”

On the most pleasant development so far this season, team-wise or individually: “I’d have to say the nicest surprise has been Aly Germanos. She’s only a sophomore and she’s been hitting consistently for us. She’s hitting well over .300, she’s got good speed and she’s very good at putting a bunt down. She’s just been consistent the whole season.”

On what the Spartans must do in order to be successful the rest of the season: “The kids have the talent. They just have to stay focused on what they’re doing and not take anyone for granted and I think we’ll be fine.”