Numbers Don’t Tell Real Story for Lake Forest Softball

’s softball team won only five games in 2011.

That could be classified as a disappointing season. But don’t put head coach Susie Brugioni in this category.

“To tell you the truth, it was probably one of the best seasons I’ve had,” said the veteran coach, who is in her 19th year at the helm of the Scouts. “That was one of my favorite teams I’ve had here.”

Success Not Measured in Wins

“We had six seniors and the girls really worked hard,” Brugioni added. “It was such a great group of girls and parents. I thought we got the most out of that team that we could. I’ve had teams win a lot of games, but I couldn’t wait for the season to end because the girls didn’t get along. Last year’s team was just a great group.”

Brugioni has posted more than her share of success at Lake Forest with a number of her teams collecting between 15 and 20 victories in a season. However, she is facing a numbers challenge in 2012 as her varsity roster consists of only 10 players, including four freshmen. The rest of the Scouts roster includes three seniors, two juniors and a lone sophomore.

“Every year we have usually carried 12 to 14 players on our varsity roster,” Brugioni says. “But last year we were forced to drop our freshmen program. However, this isn’t just a Lake Forest problem, it’s a problem across the board. I know of 10 to 12 schools in our area that have canceled their freshmen programs.”

Two Problems

According to Brugioni, the lower turnout in softball has been caused by two significant changes to the sports landscape in recent years. The sudden rise in the popularity of lacrosse gives girls another option in the spring, and many girls are choosing to specialize year-round in one sport.

“You see hardly any girls playing three sports and very few doing two sports now,” said Brugioni, who earned 11 varsity letters (volleyball, basketball and softball) at Highland Park High School. She went on to play basketball at Wisconsin-Parkside, where she was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2001 and then earned the same accolades from Highland Park and Lake County last year. “The trend has been to stick to one sport and get involved in club and AAU programs.

“Sticking to one sport is important to one’s growth in that sport, but I believe the individual is missing out on so much more by not playing other sports,” she continued. “Playing multiple sports is important in total overall development for college and eventually becoming part of the work force. I believe athletes who have played more than one sport feel less stress as they move forward because they have dealt with more people with a variety of interests.”

Because she oversees the Lake Forest travel program and runs a six-week summer session at the high school, Brugioni still believes softball is on solid ground at the high school. The travel program consists of three teams: 14 and younger, 12 and younger, and 10and younger.

“Most of the girls are from Lake Forest/Lake Bluff,” Brugioni said. “We have a handful of players from surrounding communities to fill out the rosters.”

Murphy provides punch

Another testament to things being done the right way at Lake Forest is senior Natalia Murphy, who already has earned a spot on the roster at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, next year. The Russian-born Murphy moved to Grayslake with her parents when she was 5½ and then relocated to Lake Bluff in sixth grade.

With little softball background, she tried out as a left-handed catcher her freshman year at Lake Forest, but soon was moved to first base.

“I couldn’t even throw the ball halfway to second,” Murphy said with a laugh. “I owe quite a lot to Coach B and (assistant) coach (Terri) Ingalls for helping me become a college player. They saw potential in me and have really developed me.”

Through the first six games this season, Murphy is stroking the ball at a .438 clip. She has yet to tag a home run, mainly due to the expansive field at Lake Forest, which is 250 feet to the fence, one of the largest fields in the North Suburban Conference.

“She’s a very strong hitter with gap power,” Brugioni said of Murphy.

Because the Scouts only have 10 players on their roster this spring, Brugioni has taken the unusual approach by asking the southpaw Murphy to move to shortstop, where she anchors the future of the program. All four freshmen are in the infield with Sarah Elliott Porter handling the bulk of the pitching, and classmates Mikaela Whittington-Baschoff, Madison Gailey and Margaret Mack entrenched at third, second and first, respectively.

“I thought we needed Natalia at short in order to stabilize the infield,” Brugioni saids. “She is very athletic and quick with her hips. I don’t think the change has hurt her or the team. She’ll move back to first or play outfield in college.”

Murphy knows adding shortstop to her softball resume will only help her next year.

“It’s a young team and some of the girls have been asked to played positions they are not accustomed to,” Murphy added. “I never had any experience playing short, but it is something I have always wanted to try and now I’m getting my chance. It’s still taking a little getting used to, but I’m enjoying it and I’ll be back home at first in college.”

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