By Mark Gregory
@Hear_The_Beard
Kiley Robb
With a young team and a host of games cancelled because of weather, including three in a row, the Joliet West softball team is finding its way on the go.
With a 6-3 record to open play, including a 23-0 win over Thornridge, things on paper look good for the Tigers, but coach Heather Suca is more concerned about how West plays against the top competition.
“We have had our ups and downs early,” she said. “We are moving people around early defensively and trying to find the right spots. We have to find ways to adjust to good pitching.”
With three seniors, six juniors and three sophomores on the team, Suca said the goal for the Tigers is to be their best at the end of the season.
“The plan is to get better every time out,” Suca said. “We have a young team and we have to learn from our mistakes, get better from our mistakes, fix them and move forward. By the time we hit the end of the season, we are where we need to be. We have some progress to make, it is just a matter of a little more focus and a little more intensity.”
Junior Kiley Robb paces Joliet West in the circle and at the plate, as well as one of the team leaders, along with sophomore Kristen Ames.
“Kiley and Kristen have done a good job consistently, Suca said. “They are always up and they are talking to the girls. I need a couple of the other juniors and returners to join them and lead this team.”
One of those players is one of the three seniors on the roster.
“I am looking for (Ariana Liceaga), one of our seniors to step up and take the team and lead them when maybe Kiley
(Robb) isn’t having her best game or Kristen (Ames) isn’t having her best game,” Suca said. “We want Ariana to be there to pick them up offensively and defensively.”
While Robb can be a dominant pitcher for the Tigers, Suca believes one of the Joliet West sophomores can step up and contribute.
“I am looking for Sidney (Budzinski), our No. 2 pitcher to step up. She has the talent and the ability and I am looking for her to break through,” Suca said.