McAuley going by the (play)book

Generally speaking, it's pretty hard to outsmart a Mighty Mac. Mother McAuley athletes are always garnering awards for academic achievements and maintain high GPAs.

What new Mighty Macs coach Colleen Kilduff and assistant Kelly Urso are hoping, however, is that their girls don't wind up outsmarting themselves.

"Between me and Kelly we've made our playbook," Kilduff said. "The type of game we played (at Saint Xavier University) is not necessarily more complicated, but more in-depth than they're used to. They're having a fun time learning some new plays, as opposed to just the simple bunt, hit and run and things. It's been an adventure for them."

Kilduff was the 2006 NAIA Player of the Year, and also has played with the Chicago Bandits pro team. She can still play.

"Oh, gosh, it's hard for both myself and Kelly," Kilduff said. "I think because I've been coaching travel ball for the past couple of years, I'm handling it a little bit better. But it's really hard not to just to get out there and be like, 'Give me your mitt. I'll do it for you.' ''

Changes at Oak Lawn

A year ago Oak Lawn coach Pat Mayer had one of the most experienced teams in the Southland.

This year it's quite the opposite.

"They're all gone," he said of eight graduated regulars, six of whom were three-year starters. "This is going to be a challenge."

The Spartans do return an All-Conference performer in junior second baseman Scooter Harr. Outfielder Noelle Federico and shortstop Jessica Finnigan are two other returning seniors. Junior first baseman Jill Postregna, sophomore pitcher/catcher Erika Veen and sophomore pitcher Rachel Menor are among the newcomers to watch.

Mayer said while it was tough to say goodbye to so many players he had coached for three years, sometimes change can be good.

"I think with all of this travel ball, some girls - not everybody - but there are some seniors who are done with it," he said. "They don't have their summers anymore, the ones who play 80 games and stuff, and I think some of those girls are just done with it.

"We're having fun with the new kids," he added with a chuckle. "But I'm sure by the time they're seniors some of these girls will probably be sick of me, too."

Paying his dues

Jim Hassel hasn't missed a step while climbing the ladder to the head coaching job at Bremen.

He has spent three years at the freshman level, one at the sophomore level, and for the past three seasons he has served as a varsity assistant to Wendy Podbielniak.

Podbielniak, who resigned after the 2007 season but still teaches at Bremen, has joined the softball coaching staff at Marist.

"First year as a head varsity coach, and I'm excited," Hassel said. "Of course, I did have a kid quit (Monday) to concentrate on volleyball. She hasn't signed yet and doesn't want to jeopardize her (college) scholarship. I fully understand."

Hassel has a fairly good nucleus to build his first team around, with five starters back from last year's 16-15 squad. Becky Nielsen (.289), Keri Koppers (.279) and Evie McDowell (.273) are the top returning offensive producers.

The Braves were 7-8 in the South Suburban Blue in 2007.

"We have some vacancies, but we're hoping to fill them with talented underclassmen," Hassel said. "Our pitching staff will be young as well, with two juniors and a sophomore. But I feel we have a good mix of experience and youth, and should be very competitive in our conference."

Have softball news to report? E-mail tbaranek@southtownstar.com