New Trier softball continues to make strides, despite power-packed schedule

In terms of scheduling, New Trier softball didn’t save the best for last. Quite the opposite.

The Trevians began their 2024 campaign against three potent ball clubs (Hersey, Warren and Maine West) that now have a combined record of 44-13 (.772 winning percentage), and they took their lumps in an 0-3 start.

Additionally, New Trier has played and lost to 14-3 Maine South twice as well as undefeated Mundelein (24-0).

New Trier coach Rose Wysocki credits the early rocky road to her team’s improvement ever since.

“I think it was pretty good for us to see (quality teams) early on,” she said. “It gave us some adversity to face right off the bat.

“Our play overall (lately) has been a lot cleaner. Playing against those really strong teams, our outs weren’t as productive as they are now. The girls are playing a lot better and we’re hoping we can peak at the right time.”

The right time is closing in fast. With a loss to Vernon Hills on Monday, May 6, the Trevians dropped to 9-11 on the season and just four regular-season games to go. The postseason begins the week of May 19.

While some of the losses have been rough, New Trier’s wins have helped soothe the pain.

“The games we have won we’ve played really well,” Wysocki said. “That’s something to look at. We’ve had several really clean games. We want to be more consistent and have those good games be the norm.”

Though not exactly the norm, the Trevs’ nine triumphs do carry meaning. The number ties the most wins the program has had since 2018 (10 wins). The Trevians also amassed nine wins in 2022. One win in their final five games, and New Trier will have its highest win total in five seasons (no season in 2020).

That is a step in the right direction for a rebuilding program that up until around 2015 was known as a state power, recording 25 wins on the regular since the mid 1980s.

Wysocki, who is in her fourth season coaching New Trier, is the architect, and she said it begins with a strong culture, which was on display Monday night, senior night, when the Trevians proudly honored their six seniors and loudly cheered each other on from the dugout railing during the loss.

“Every year we are building a stronger culture, which was one of my main goals I had coming in,” Wysocki said. “In order for us to become better at softball, we need to have a culture to build off. I’ve been really impressed. They’ve taken the ideas us coaches are throwing out there and running with them.”

The coach gave a lot of credit to the senior class, which comprises Avery Weinstein, Avery Donaldson, Sarah Konosky, Ruch Schweidel, Trisha Senapati and Audrey Wesemann.

And the youth movement remains strong as well. Sophomore Campbell Bach has made strides in her second varsity season, Wysocki said, while Weinstein, junior Trinity Andelin and sophomore Harper Glinn usually power the middle of the Trevians order.

Sophomore Addison Varca and Andelin handle most of the pitching duties. Lyla Andelin, a sophomore and Trinity’s sister, has emerged at shortstop and Kennedy Glinn, a junior, is in her third varsity season and plays third base. Ilana Styles and Jenna Maclachlan are two more sophomores gaining varsity experience.

Wysocki is eager to see what’s to come — this year and beyond.

“Building a culture where kids want to come to softball — that’s a huge thing for us,” she said. “Building culture so we can build even more skill and growth on the field. I expect in the next couple of years you’re going to see us get increasingly stronger and stronger.”

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