Burbank Extends Registration for Little League, Girls' Softball

Register for Burbank National Little League and Girls Fastpitch Softball at Looney Park, March 9-10 and March 16-17.

Oak Lawn's LaRusso Signs Letter of Intent

OLCHS softball ace Brittani LaRusso signs letter to attend and play at Iowa school.

Glory Days

Former L-W East Softball Standout Goler Takes to Being Called a Bandit

Playing pro softball close to home with the Chicago Bandits eases Alisa Goler's pain following a disappointing end to her Georgia career.

After the University of Georgia women’s softball team fell just short of its third straight trip to the College World Series, Lincoln-Way East graduate Alisa Goler wasn’t sure how she was going to deal with the pain from her collegiate career concluding. Playing for the Chicago Bandits helped her cope. Just six days after the Bulldogs lost their best-of-three series to Baylor in the Super Regional, Goler was making her professional debut June 4. “I’m happy it worked out like this,” said Goler, who was selected in the third round of the 2011 National Pro Fastpitch Senior Draft with the 12th overall selection. “It’s just been a great experience and made my transition from not making the World Series a lot easier.” The NPF, formerly known as …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (2)

Glory Days

L-W East Grad Goler Relishes Dream-Come-True Georgia Softball Career

Three-time All-America selection Alisa Goler helps Bulldogs earn first two College World Series appearances.

While watching the Women’s Softball College World Series on television with her father as a child, Alisa Goler made a bold proclamation for a 7-year-old. “I told my dad that I was going to play there one day,” said Goler, a Frankfort native and 2007 Lincoln-Way East graduate. Goler backed up her prediction and is in the midst of a remarkable softball career. She’s currently in her first season with the Chicago Bandits of the National Pro Fastpitch league after an All-American career at the University of Georgia where she experienced two trips to the World Series. Goler’s journey to the professional ranks began at an early age. “My mom and dad bought me a tee when I was 2 and I started hitting the ball,” Goler said. “I guess they saw a …

• Photos (4)

Local Sports Notebook

Richards Softball Team Keeps Raking In Awards

Bulldogs standouts Brianna LeBeau, Hannah Jenkins and Kailie Tobin, along with coach Julie Folliard, receive recognition for their outstanding season.

The accolades keep coming in for Richards High School’s 2011 softball team. Brianna LeBeau and Hannah Jenkins were named to the All-State honorable mention team by the Chicago Tribune. Earlier this week, LeBeau was named Patch’s Top Spring Athlete. LeBeau, Jenkins and senior Kailie Tobin were named to the SouthtownStar’s All-Area Team. Richards coach Julie Folliard received a high honor as well, as she was named the SouthtownStar’s Coach of the Year. Marist softball standout Brooke Wyderski was named to the SouthtownStar’s All-Area Team. Wyderski was also named to the All-State honorable mention team by the Chicago Tribune, along with Teagan Walsh. Marist’s Garrett Dempsey was named the SouthtownStar’s Player of the Year for boys …

• Photos (1)

Glory Days

L-W East Softball Coach Meader Was a Champ as a Player, Too

Griffins softball coach Katie Meader was part of the 1997 state championship team at Lockport. She played collegiate ball at Loyola.

Katie Meader is used to winning. She played a key role in the Lockport softball program winning its first state championship in 1997 when she was known as Katie Blackmore and contributed to the Whiteford Sharks earning a summer national championship in 1998. That winning mentality has carried over in her current role as the head coach of the Lincoln-Way East softball team the past four seasons. “I think any coach or player should start the season with the goal of getting to state,” said Meader, a 1999 Lockport graduate. “If you fall short of the goal, it’s difficult to digest. Only one team can win it all each year, but it should be a driving force in playing the game. "I just really enjoyed my time as a player at Lockport and being part …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (8)

Heather Blackmore

10:04 pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Katie was an incredible softball player. I had the chance to watch a few of her high school games and enjoyed reading about her in the local papers. L-W East is fortunate to have her. Best wishes to you Katie! Heather   more ›

Weekly Sportscast: Southland Teams Fall Short in Baseball Title Games

A weekly video recap of the Southland's top sports coverage.

After compiling fantastic seasons, two Southland baseball teams fell just short of the ultimate goal this weekend. Oak Forest lost in the Class 3A state championship against Kaneland, and Providence Catholic dropped just its fourth game of the season, this time to Lyons Township in the Class 4A title game. To read more about the games and athletes featured in this week's Sportscast, check out the links below: Lyons Ends Providence's Title Hopes Oak Forest Falls Short in Class 3A State Title Game Verzbicas Runs Mile in Under 4 Minutes to Win NYC Race Longtime Andrew Coach Fondly Recalls 1992 State Championship Team

• Videos (1)

Local Sports Notebook

Richards' LeBeau Named Gatorade State Player of the Year in Softball

While the week started out rough for Richards with a loss in the softball supersectionals, it ended on a high note with the Gatorade announcement.

Richards junior pitcher Brianna LeBeau has been named Gatorade’s State Softball Player of the Year for Illinois. LeBeau didn't even know she was up for the award because her coach, Julie Folliard, had kept it a secret all season, not wanting to add pressure to the ace pitcher. “I’m really excited—it’s a big achievement,” LeBeau said. “I didn’t really know I was up for it.” In case you missed it, here’s the highlight video of Marist’s showdown with Sandburg in the boys volleyball state tournament. Sandburg defeated Marist 25-23, 25-16 in the Sandburg Sectional championship match. The Chicago Sun-Times featured recent Oak Lawn High School graduate Andrew Green, who was state champion in February in the Informative Speaking Event at the state…

•  3 Comments
• Photos (1)

Richards Disappointed With Loss, But Excited About Future

Bulldogs fall one win short of making trip downstate for Class 4A finals in Peoria, vow to return to the fray again next season.

Richards standout pitcher Brianna LeBeau wanted to make it to state as much as anybody. When the Bulldogs lost to Benet 4-1 in the Class 4A Hinsdale South Supersectional Monday in Darien, however, she felt bad for Richards coach Julie Folliard the most. “She’s a great coach and she loves the game more than any of us,” LeBeau said. “It would’ve meant a lot to get her down to state for the first time.” Richards (32-3) fell one win shy of the program’s first state berth since placing second in 1985 with Larry Layne as the head coach. Folliard just completed her 23rd season at the helm and was won at least 20 games in 19 seasons, but has never had a team advance to state. “It was a great season,” LeBeau said. “We definitely didn’t want it to …

• Photos (3)

Softball: Richards Falls One Win Shy of State Berth

Benet 4, Richards 1. Bulldogs savor super season despite supersectional setback.

Touching All the Bases: Despite a strong effort, Richards lost to Benet 4-1 in the Class 4A Hinsdale South Supersectional Monday to fall one win shy of its first state appearance since placing second in 1985. Benet, which placed third in the East Suburban Catholic Conference, is headed to state for the first time. The Redwings scored a run in the bottom of the first inning to grab a 1-0 lead. Richards tied the game at 1-1 on an RBI single by Danielle Kappel in the top of the sixth, but left runners on second and third. Benet then erupted for three runs in the bottom of the sixth to take control of the game. Richards stranded two runners on base in the first, third and fourth innings against Benet ace Allyson Staats. Brianna LeBeau (25-3) …

• Photos (5)