When Academic All-Stater Ava Peterson headed off to continue her softball career at Washington University in St. Louis after last season, Manteno needed to identify some new pitchers.
So far, so good in that endeavor.
Freshman Mady Dye, who led Manteno Middle School to a state title as an eighth-grader, has made an impact already. And so has junior Maddy Delya, who moved up from the JV team.
She pitched a three-hitter, walked one and struck out 12 as the Panthers blanked Route 50 rival Peotone 4-0 on April 6,
“It’s been so much fun,” Delya said of her expanded role. “All these girls, I grew up with them, so playing with them just feels right.”
She put the work in to make sure her transition to varsity would be smooth.
“Especially with my travel team, I’ve been in there pretty much every single day all winter,” Delya said. “So that helps me prepare a lot. … (Also) I throw with my mom a lot.”
It helps to be making the jump to varsity competition with Dye.
“Honestly, she’s been so supportive,” Delya said. “I feel like her being a freshman coming up, it’s actually really impressive. She competes really well. We give each other a lot of advice, support each other.”
While some softball teams lean heavily on one pitcher, Manteno coach Josh Carlile is fine with spreading the work around and also with developing talent at the JV level.
“We had five pitchers last year on the varsity, so (Delya) just waited (for) her time,” Carlile said. “Here she is getting her chance. …
“So right now it’s gonna be Maddy Delya and Mady Dye (who) are rotating. And then Mia (Shedwill), another junior … she’ll be rotating in as a change-of-pace, spin pitcher.”
It’s all been a successful formula for Manteno, which came into this week 7-1.
Delya and Peotone ace Sophie Klawitter, a senior committed to Louisville, were locked in a scoreless duel till Manteno broke through to score four in the top of the seventh. Aubrie Goudreau’s triple started the rally, with Ginny Kvasnicka and Shedwill contributing RBI hits.
The Panthers swept the Illinois Central Eight series against the Blue Devils, winning 6-1 on April 7 as Dye threw a six-hitter with seven strikeouts. Kvasnicka went 2-for-4 with three RBIs.
Manteno also beat Hoopeston 16-0 on April 8 as Shedwill pitched a four-inning one-hitter and homered. Goudreau was 3-for-3 with two runs and four RBIs.
The Panthers edged Hanover Central (Ind.) 8-7 on April 10, overcoming an early 5-0 deficit. Sophie Peterson was 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI.
Peotone ended the week at 5-5 overall and 1-3 in the ICE. Klawitter struck out 28 in the two Manteno losses. Sje also pitched a no-hitter with 16 strikeouts and no walks in a 6-2 win against Milford/Cissna Park on April 9.
“We started the season working out some kinks,” Peotone coach Kim Pagliarulo said after the first Manteno game. “We quickly came together as a team. Really seeing massive improvement on the field because of how we’re working together. The mental side of the game has really improved.”