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Softball: Tracey a key building block for Hinsdale Central
Hinsdale Central's Annemarie Tracey waits for the ball at second as Lyons Township's Meghan Klima is forced out. | Jon Langham~for Sun-Times Media
Updated: July 3, 2012 11:51AM
Playing varsity softball as a freshman is usually not easy for any player.
That’s why Hinsdale Central’s Annemarie Tracey is grateful for the teammates she had to help with the transition this season.
“My expectations for myself were pretty high,” Tracey said. “I tried to do my best, and I’m so glad that I have teammates to back me up. They really helped me a lot.”
Tracey’s play was one of the reasons the Red Devils were able to improve drastically this season after winning just five games a year ago — and she’s a key building block for the up-and-coming program in the near future.
The team’s starting shortstop and leadoff hitter played in all of the team’s 35 games. She hit .342, five doubles, five triples, 13 RBI and 30 runs. As a pitcher, Tracey was 5-8 with two saves.
“She gives us a legitimate leadoff hitter,” said Hinsdale Central coach Lee Maciejewski. “She can bunt, she can slap — and hit with power. She rose to the occasion for us. She plays a good shortstop and could probably play anywhere out on the field. She’s done a wonderful job.”
Tracey played shortstop for the first time after being primarily an outfielder with her club team, the Palos Rippits.
“My favorite position is outfield, but I will play anywhere,” Tracey said. “I miss the outfield, but I never knew I was going to enjoy shortstop as much as I have. I never played that position on my travel team.”
Hinsdale Central (14-21) lost to Bartlett 11-1 in five innings in a Class 4A Bartlett Regional semifinal on May 22. Bartlett scored four runs in the first inning and was never seriously threatened the rest of the way.
“Winning three times as many games as last year is quite an accomplishment for anybody,” Maciejewski said. “I’m happy for them.”
Kelly MacKenzie was 1-for-2 with an RBI double in the loss. Analia Tahir, Alexa Heydenberk, Christyn Lovelace and Tracey (triple) each had a hit.
Hinsdale Central, which will graduate Tahir, Lovelace, Jessica Rosales, Jen Loiselle, Kailey Smith, Kelly MacKenzie and Vicky Tellez, beat Addison Trail 10-7 in a regional quarterfinal.
“That win was really important,” Tracey said. “I love my team, and I’m so happy that we won (a postseason) game. Next year, we’re losing a lot, so I’m really glad we got a win moving forward.”
