Jane Sallen, Grandview Prep: Post All-Area small schools softball player of the year

Friday, June 04, 2010
by Jospeh Kairalla

Photo by Ray Graham/The Palm Beach Post

Click here to see other players of the year and All-Area teams.

After sitting out last season, Grandview Prep sophomore pitcher Jane Sallen had no idea how she would do as the ace of an inexperienced team entering just its second year of Florida High School Athletic Association competition.

But she wasn't shying away from the challenge.

"I was really excited because I wanted to see where I stood against the other competition," Sallen said.

After the Pride came within a game of winning the Class 1A state championship, it was clear where Sallen stood - as one of the best pitchers in the area.

Sallen rolled to an 11-3 record and finished the regular season with an ERA under 1.00. She started every game during Grandview's playoff run that ended with a 5-2 loss to Jacksonville-Eagle View in the Class 1A state final.

Despite the championship loss, Sallen was impressive during the Pride's post-season.

In the regional finals against Princeton Christian, Sallen pitched a no-hitter with nine strikeouts. She followed that with a four-hit, 10-strikeout performance in the Pride's 10-0 rout of Brooksville-Hernando Christian in the state semifinals.

"She was outstanding all season, but even more so in those playoff games," Grandview Prep coach Neil Catapano said. "If I had one game to win, she would be the one I want to have the ball."

Grandview chose not to play the season before because the team was not eligible for post-season play. The break gave Sallen a lot of time to practice and wonder about how she would do at the high school level.

"I worked almost every day with my coaches, trying to get better," Sallen said. "I became really anxious to see if I could be as good as some of the other top players, if not better."

The work clearly paid off. Now Sallen hopes that she and the team can build upon this year's success.

"We can all still improve because we're young and work hard," she said. "Hopefully, when next year starts, we'll be all be back and be better."

COACH OF THE YEAR

Neil Catapano

Grandview Prep

Led second-year program Grandview Prep to the Class 1A state finals.

FIRST TEAM

Sam Perretty

Am. Heritage

Sr., Catcher

Batted .500 with 22 RBI for the Stallions.

Kayla Miller

John Carroll

Jr., Infield

Hit .542 with four home runs and 30 RBI for the Rams.

Casey Polak

Grandview

Sr., Infield

Defensive standout and team captain. Hit .447 with 31 RBI.

Allie Catapano

Grandview

Jr., Infield

Batted .448 with three home runs and 29 RBI.

Rachel Terrana

Berean Chr.

Sr., Infield

Hit .493 with a slugging perecentage of more than .800

Aubree Parker

John Carroll

Sr., Outfield

Batted .444 with three home runs and 22 RBI for regional finalists.

Chelsea Brandt

Am. Heritage

Jr., Outfield

Batted .347 and also was a key pitcher for the Stallions.

Casen Love

C. Newman

So., Outfield

Led the Crusaders with a .424 batting average.

Niska Kuebler

Lake Worth Chr.

Sr., Pitcher

Despite injuries, won 10 games, had 228 strikeouts. and batted .565.

Amber Johnson

Berean Chr.

So., Pitcher

Went 10-4 with an 0.61 ERA and 187 strikeouts for the Bulldogs.

Katie Whidden

Clewiston

Sr., Pitcher

Went 12-4 with a 1.45 ERA and 99 strikeouts for the Tigers.

Geena Capitini

Grandview

So., Flex

The Pride's top hitter batted .534 with 31 RBI on the season.

SMALL SCHOOLS SECOND TEAM

C: Alison Flinn So., Berean Christian

IF: Rachel Rendina Jr., Cardinal Newman

IF: Danielle Marra Sr., American Heritage

IF: Casey Stevens Sr., American Heritage

IF: Makensie Morrell So., Lake Worth Chr.

OF: Amanda Wilcox Jr., King's Academy

OF: Alexis Muniz, So. Lake Worth Christian

OF: Jen Polak, 8th Grandview Prep

P: Lisa Wilson, Sr. American Heritage

P: Maggie Tilley, Sr. King's Academy

P: Kate-Lyn Dickerson Jr., Berean Christian

Flex: Kelsey Krzywada Sr., Lake Worth Chr.

HONORABLE MENTION

Madison Clark, St. Andrew's; Deandra Trottie, Clewiston; Hunter Scharf, Grandview Prep; Alex Geesey, Lake Worth Christian; Kaytrina Johnson, American Heritage; Kali Chaplin, Benjamin; Emily May, Berean Christian; Chloe Braun, St. Andrew's; Laura Geisler, Boca Raton Christian; Taylor Russo, Grandview Prep; Katie Capibianco, Pope John Paul; Rebecca Duane, Lake Worth Christian; Rachel Rahal, John Carroll, Emilee Adkins, Lake Worth Christian.