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Naperville C. baseball, Glenbard N. softball poised for big seasons Your scouting report on several area foes, some who enter with high hopes.

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(Note: This article is a continuation from another file.)

Softball

Driscoll

Coach: Nick Christopher (first year).

Last season: 5-29, 3-11 (seventh) in the Suburban Catholic Conference; lost to Harvard 10-0 in five innings in the Class A Driscoll regional semifinals.

Top players: LF Stacey Arlis, sr.; C Maggie Writt, jr.; SS Tia Martini, sr.; P Nickie Gange, jr.; 1B Stephanie Ganster, jr.; 2B-C Mary Sullivan, jr.; 3B Gina Maritote, so.; CF Amanda Palash, jr.; RF Melissa Woodford, jr.; P June Kowalewski, jr.

Outlook: The Highlanders look to improve. Christopher, a varsity assistant last season, takes over the head job with 11 years of coaching experience, including the last three in the program. "Our main goal is to develop a winning attitude," he said. Arlis and Martini were all-conference players last year. Writt can sting the ball. Gange was promoted to varsity during last season and she'll be the No. 1 pitcher this year. "Since the end of last season she's been working at least three times a week and probably more than that," Christopher said. "She really does look totally different. You'd never know she's the same pitcher. I think she can do a great job for us."

Glenbard East

Coach: Valerie Pinzker (second year).

Last season: 8-24, 3-11 (tied for seventh) in the DuPage Valley Conference; lost to Addison Trail 2-1 in the Class AA Wheaton North regional quarterfinals.

Top players: 2B Brittany Fairbairn, sr.; 3B Dani Battaglia, sr.; SS Alyssa Gianatasio, jr.; CF Melissa March, sr.; RF Nicole Marola, sr.; P Sara Magnuson, sr.; C Nikki Fairbairn, so.; P Abby Petersdorf, so.; 1B Brittany Cardott, so.; LF Paige Gerstner, jr.; LF Colleen Shannon, jr.; C Kim Spartz, sr.

Outlook: The Rams believe they'll improve on last season. They bring back seven starters led by all-area Brittany Fairbairn, who hit .486 with 12 doubles, 9 triples, 1 homer, 10 RBI and 26 runs a year ago. She's the backbone of a veteran infield that features Battaglia and Gianatasio on the left side. "I'm really looking to those three kids to be my solid top of the order," Pinzker said. March leads four returning outfielders. A key will be the performance of the battery. Magnuson won six games last season but has been slowed by a foot injury. Petersdorf will pitch plenty, too. Brittany Fairbairn's cousin Nikki will catch. "I think it's going to be a good year," Pinzker said.

Glenbard North

Coach: Jim McKinney (17th year, 422-116).

Last season: 29-8, 11-3 (first) in the DuPage Valley Conference; lost to West Aurora 3-1 in the Class AA Rosary sectional semifinals.

Top players: 1B Michelle Batts, sr.; 2B Kayla Smith, sr.; P Hannah Santora, so.; DP Sara McGowan, jr.; 3B Laura Scott, so.; C Bri DiGioia, so.; CF Elisabeth Walter, jr.; LF Katie Hruby, sr.; RF Gina Pisano, sr.; SS Jennifer Nelson, fr.; P Stephanie Iori, jr....

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