IntheKnow- I don't think Mel is that kind of player. And I'm not just saying that because I'm from Whiting. Anyone who has ever worked with her has said they can't believe what kind of special kid she is. She has ALWAYS competed at an advanced level. Her travel teams were never in her age range, until she could no longer advance. She dominated against upperclassmen as freshman. I think she'll continue to do the same thing in Texas. She's ready for that extra challenge.

I do, though, know exactly what you're talking about.

How did Mel do this fall w/Texas A&M

Don't know about the fall but a great first at bat of her collegiate career--a bases loaded double driving in 3 -- in Texas A&M's 15-1 opening game victory yesterday (2-12-10) vs. Wisconsin in the Kajikawa Classic.

Dumezich pitched 1 inning of mop up duty with 1BB and 2Ks, finishing the game.

Texas A&M also upset #11 California 3-2 later that day .

http://www.aggieathletics.com/sports/w- ... 10aaa.html

Tonight the former Whiting ace and the Aggies will be facing the #5 ranked Arizona State Sun-Devil team, which includes Calumet High graduate and fellow Greater South Shore Conference softball alum Kayla Ketchum (who pinch ran and scored on a wild pitch in her first game). Like Dumezich, Ketchum wears jersey #1 for her collegiate team.

No report from yesterday "Riddle", maybe people should get over the minute by minute play by play and maybe people should let these kids be what they are freshmen who are moving up to the major leagues. Give them time to adjust to a whole different game and level ,then they were used to in High School. I'm sure in time they will contribute greatly to their teams. they have ability and skills, but they are not Jennie Finch's or Ostermans.

5 weeks to opening day in HS softball. Yippee! Hopefully NWI can repeat four at state again and offer up a few more Miss Softball canidates.
There are a few to choose from.

Agreed. Lots of talent in girls' softball, and attention will be focused on a number of different players this year. Here's hoping a number of area high school softball coaches join the ICGSA and actually vote for Miss Softball this year.

As far as the tournament goes, the last few years it seems a variety of local HS teams have more success during the spring sports season (as opposed to winter and fall). This spring, and girls softball to be more specific, will be just as good, if not better, than in the past.




????????

I agree with most of your post, but I'm not looking to give a minute by minute or play by play rundown of their collegiate careers. They're gonna have good and bad days.......


I'm just expressing a little pride in a couple of region ladies, now freshmen in college, playing NCAA D-1 Softball, on nationally ranked (ASU), and soon to be nationally ranked (Texas A&M), teams.


Nothing really to "get over", at least not for me.......

BTW, good luck to the Hanover Central Wildcat Softball girl this year. It's gonna be a highly competitive battle against Wheeler and/or Bishop Noll for the 2A Sectional 33 title, with the winner (Wheeler, Noll or Hanover) most likely playing for a 2A state championship a few weeks later.

Andrean should be the class of the area, along with Crown Point , these 2 have a lot coming back including their starting pitching.
I don't see any 3A's in the area beating Andrean. Should be able to put up lots of runs with their lineup.
2A should come down to Wheeler and Boone Grove, just simply because they they lost the least amount to graduation.
Wheeler lost some hitting and Boone in my opinion lost it's leader in Runyon (and a lot of big hits) but they should still have enough to make it to regionals. Hanover lost it's middle infield, big thing to replace. Noll might be a year away, still pretty young. Hebron could make some noise in the area also.
Let's not forget the 43' factor, no one knows yet what effect it will have on the high school game. I think one can see how the hitters have caught up to the pitchers at the college level ,not many 1-0 games anymore. Also these days many more kids are working on their hitting compared to the past.
Should be a whole lot more offensive year and teams will need to have better defenses.

Not only Crown Point and Andrean having their pitching staffs returning....Lowell, BG, and Wheeler. Hear that Ashley Dobson went back to KV so that may have intruduce something different at the 3a level. It may not be all about pitching this year. It may take more than just a pitcher with a strong arm to get you there.