As Lake Central rises to the top, other teams in Northwest Indiana are taking significant steps forward with an influx of young talent.
Lake Central looms
Don’t look now, but Lake Central has ascended to the top spot in the Class 4A state coaches poll and has been simply rolling.
The Indians (19-0, 9-0) haven’t lost a Duneland Athletic Conference game since 2022, a remarkable run that includes a 2-1 victory in 11 innings against No. 3 Crown Point, the defending state champion, on April 20.
“We’ve had a strong start, and a big part of our success has been our team chemistry and collective buy-in,” Lake Central coach Yvette Tovar said. “This group has embraced a team-first mindset, and that shows up in how they prepare, compete and support one another every day.
“We’ve emphasized making adjustments pitch to pitch, staying disciplined at the plate and playing clean, aggressive defense — and the players have responded well.”
Perhaps no one more so than senior shortstop/center fielder Lexi Iwema. The Indiana recruit has set team records for homers in a season with 15, quickly surpassing the 10 hit by 2022 graduate Kiley Conner, and in a career with 28, eclipsing the 24 hit by 2017 graduate Alex Hickey. Iwema also leads the state in homers, RBIs with 48 and runs scored with 39, according to MaxPreps, and she’s hitting a team-high .565.
“It’s been special to watch her growth and consistency at the plate over her career,” Tovar said.
Also a presence behind the plate, junior catcher Madi Wainwright is hitting .534 with seven homers, including the game-winner against Crown Point. The Indiana recruit is one of five Lake Central players with at least six homers. Senior corner infielder Tegan Tripp, a Virginia Tech recruit, is third in the state with 34 RBIs and with 34 runs scored. Senior middle infielder MaKayla Van Vossen, a DePaul recruit, is second in the state with 35 runs scored.
Junior pitcher Maddie Such, a Kentucky recruit, is 9-0 with a 0.83 ERA and 70 strikeouts in 42 innings. She has also contributed at the plate, hitting .500 with six homers and 24 RBIs.
“In the circle, we’ve relied on a competitive staff that continues to grow,” Tovar said. “Our pitchers have done a great job attacking hitters and trusting our defense, and we’ve seen increased confidence and composure as the season has progressed.”
Round 2 of Lake Central-Crown Point arrives May 12, and their loaded sectional also includes Munster, another formidable team.
“Moving forward, our focus is on continuing to improve daily and staying consistent in our approach,” Tovar said. “We know the competition will continue to elevate, and our goal is to keep building on the standard we’ve set while playing our best softball down the stretch.”
Portage progresses
Portage, which hasn’t had a winning record since going 24-5 in 2015, could change that narrative this season.
The Indians (8-7, 5-4) have generated momentum during their second season under coach Jena Alaniz, who started in left field when they won the 4A state title in 2013. Alaniz spent two seasons as Portage’s junior varsity coach and then guided Morgan Township to two sectional titles and a regional title in three seasons.
“Something the coaches and I have really been pushing this year is culture and togetherness,” Alaniz said. “Most of the team have been playing together since they were young girls in Little League, and having that close-knit feel for the team dynamic can really help during tough games. Our girls are passionate and work hard, which you can see translate onto the field and during games.”
Alaniz said sophomore pitcher/second baseman Duncan Krenkel “has been pretty dominant in the box so far this year,” hitting .448 with three homers. Senior center fielder Erin Fausch is hitting .350 with three homers and 18 RBIs, and junior third baseman Cora Kingrey is hitting .286 with three homers and 11 RBIs.
Alaniz said junior pitcher Danica Bombagetti has been “essential on the mound” and praised the defensive performances of sophomore catcher Lilly Jennings and freshman shortstop Braelynn Smith.
“Overall, the coaches and I are incredibly proud of the girls at the midway point and are excited to see the greatness they continue to bring in the rest of the season,” Alaniz said.
Washington Township rides wave
The sample size may be small, but the returns so far have been encouraging for Washington Township.
The Senators (8-2, 2-1) are seeking their first winning season since 2021, and their two Porter County Conference victories already match their total from the previous four seasons combined.
“We are getting into the teeth of our schedule and are looking forward to the PCC tourney and sectionals,” Washington Township coach Larry Sheets said.
Freshman pitcher Ava Scott has posted a 3.96 ERA, and sophomore pitcher Janet Meade has a 2.33 ERA.
“With our pitching improved, offensively we’re hitting the ball much better, able to get batters on base and able to score,” Sheets said.
Sheets added the Senators have a “solid” defensive outfield with Meade, sophomore Hannah Ewing and junior Catie Wellensiek.
“They’re quick to the ball and have strong arms to make the throw,” Sheets said.
Griffith growls
Griffith could be in position to win its first Greater South Shore Conference title since 2018.
The Panthers (10-1, 4-0) took a significant step in that direction with a 6-2 victory against Illiana Christian on Tuesday. The rematch is scheduled for May 13.
Griffith has also beaten Hanover Central, the Class 3A state runner-up last season, and Boone Grove. The lone loss this season was against Valparaiso.
Junior Natalie Vianello is hitting .615 with 12 RBIs for the Panthers, whose youthful roster includes five sophomores and five freshmen. Freshman pitcher/shortstop Camryn Young is hitting .714, which ranks fifth in the state, with team highs of three homers and 15 runs scored to go along with 13 RBIs. She’s also the team’s No. 1 pitcher.
More statewide superlatives
Marquette freshman first baseman/pitcher Olivia Zmuda ranks fifth in the state with a .714 batting average.
Like Wainwright, Munster junior pitcher/corner infielder Ally Compton, an Indiana recruit, and Hanover Central senior catcher Sienna Stilley, a Jacksonville State recruit, have seven homers, putting them among the top 15 in the state.
Merrillville senior shortstop Elani Alvarez, an Indiana Tech recruit, ranks seventh in the state with 20 stolen bases.
Crown Point senior pitcher Paige Liezert, a Miami of Ohio recruit, ranks seventh in the state with 116 strikeouts, and Hanover Central sophomore pitcher Jillian DeYoung ranks 15th with 99.
10 breakout players
Dallas Bowen, Hanover Central, freshman, shortstop: Batting .340 with four homers, 11 RBIs, 17 runs scored and five stolen bases.
Evi Cuevas, Crown Point, junior, catcher: Batting .457 with a homer and 12 RBIs.
Olivia Daliege, Illiana Christian, sophomore, second baseman: Batting .571 with 15 runs scored and four stolen bases.
Jada Lewis, Lake Central, sophomore, pitcher: Has a 3-0 record with a 1.81 ERA and 40 strikeouts in 27 innings.
Julia Mahmet, Kankakee Valley, junior, infielder: Batting .545 with two homers, 14 RBIs and 17 runs scored.
Melanie O’Connor, Munster, freshman, utility: Batting .390 with five homers, 18 RBIs and 12 runs scored.
Olivia Treece, Boone Grove, junior, outfielder: Batting .568 with three homers, 21 RBIs and 21 runs scored.
Colbie Tressel, Lake Central, freshman, pitcher: Has a 3-0 record with a 0.88 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 24 innings.
Jaida Wheatley, Griffith, freshman, outfielder: Batting .464 with 14 runs scored and seven stolen bases.
Camryn Young, Griffith, freshman, pitcher/shortstop: Batting .714 with three homers, 13 RBIs and 15 runs scored and also has a 5-1 record with a 3.27 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 30 innings.
