Whiz Kids: Lemont Sizzlers Girls Softball Teams

Each week, Lemont Patch will seek suggestions from readers for individual kids, youth groups, teens and even sports teams that wow us with their accomplishments.

We want to hear about these amazing children and teens and select one each week as the Patch Whiz Kid.  Submit your nomination in our comment box below or e-mail the information to Local Editor Amanda Luevano at amanda@patch.com. Be sure to include all of the information included below.

And without further ado, this week's Whiz Kids are...

Whiz Kids’ Names: Morgan Gardner, Katrina Retzke, Lucy Conway, Grace Kucharski, Avarie Woday, Maggie O'Brien, Maddie Surin, Danielle Irwin, Emma Lochen, Sarah Kerfin, Mikaela Egan

Accomplishment: After finishing their first season in the I-80 Fast-Pitch Travel League with an impressive third place finish out of 15 teams in the end-of-year league tournament, the 10U Lemont Sizzlers Fast-Pitch Softball team went into the Wheaton Annual Red, White and Blue Tournament on a high note. Five wins out of five games later, they are taking home their first travel tournament win.

What makes both of these accomplishments so extraordinary is the fact that this is the Sizzlers' first year as a travel team.

With outstanding pitching, defense and timely hitting, the Sizzlers advanced into the championship game as the No. 1 seed. Down 8-4 going into the sixth inning, the Sizzlers offense exploded for three runs in the sixth and three more in the seventh to cap a phenomenal comeback victory—all the while having outstanding pitching and defensive performances.

As the year progresses the Sizzlers are improving in every aspect of the game and making their mark in the travel circuit. Overall, for this first year 10U softball team, the girls’ hard work and determination are really starting to pay off and will continue to be a force to reckon with in the future.

The Sizzlers will conclude their season with one more tournament in July. Tryouts for next season will be Aug. 14-15. For more information, visit www.LemontSizzlers.com.

Whiz Kids’ Names: Rachel Uher, Kayla Irwin, Grace Lochen, Brianna Olkiewicz, Hope Conway, Christy Carlson, Anna Smagacz, Vanessa Muscolino, Karina Folliard, Jessica Spinelli, Autumn Rita and Emily Zaremski. 

Accomplishment: The Lemont Sizzlers 14U softball team captured first place at the Fathers Day Weekend tournament in Warrenville. Although the Sizzlers came out of pool play with a perfect 3-0 record, they entered elimination play with only the No. 3 seed, based on tie-breaker rules. The team gutted through a challenging quarterfinal game with strong pitching and defense, topping the Bartlett Silver Hawks 3-0.  

In the semifinal round, Lemont no-hit the Oswego Outlaws, crushing them 14-0 to earn a berth in the championship game. In the finale, Lemont pounded out sixhits in the first inning to grab an early 5–1 lead over the Naperville Diamonds, ultimately winning the championship by a final score of 9–5. 
  
In their inaugural season within the Southwest Suburban Girls Fast-Pitch League, the 14U Lemont Sizzlers are currently undefeated at 11-0.  When you include tournament play this spring, the team has an impressive 19-3 overall record. 

Whiz Kids’ Names: Jenna Sobczyk, Lauren Hanouw, Alicia Gomez, Maggie Graham, Lizzy Forzley, Hannah Dallio, Katie Utsch, Rebecca Mickow, Brianna D’Amato, Lauren May, Alyssa Karpinski, Sam Waller 

Accomplishment: The Lemont Sizzlers 16U team recently won two national qualifying tournaments. The Sizzlers took first place in the NSA tournament in Kankakee, and followed up with a first place finish in the ASA tournament in Elgin. These tournament wins secured the 16U Sizzlers bids to both the NSA and ASA National Finals. The ASA National Finals take place in Nebraska at the end of July, while the NSA National Finals are in Spartanburg, SC. 

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