New Trier softball is enjoying its best start in years

Fun at the ballpark is better when you’re winning, as New Trier softball is finding out this season.

In Rose Wysocki’s first five years coaching the Trevians, she focused on building up the program’s culture, encouraging enjoying the game and the experience, not just the wins and losses.

Now, the conversation has shifted.

“This year we talked about wanting to win games,” Wysocki said. “It’s not just about coming out and having fun. That’s part of it, but it’s a lot more fun to win. So we’ve been talking about going out there winning more games and being one of the top teams in the conference.”

The Trevians have backed up that talk. Their 11-1, five-inning victory over Glenbrook South on Thursday was their fifth in a row, moving the Trevs to 8-3 overall and 4-0 in the Central Suburban League South division.

It’s New Trier’s best start under Wysocki and its best under any coach in more than a decade (2014). The eight wins also include the Trevians first victory against Maine South (5-4 on April 21) in eight seasons.

Wysocki gives a lot of credit to her team’s experience. Even though the Trevians roster just two seniors, most of the players have spent years in the game.

“We have a lot of kids who are more mature than we’ve had,” Wysocki said. “Most of our team has at least two years of experience. We have a handful of newcomers, but also this big group of juniors who have been playing a while. So that’s a huge part.

She added, “A lot of it is we just have a really great team. … And we have a lot of talent too, and that makes a difference.”

That talent was on display as the Trevians took it to the visiting Titans Thursday.

All nine starting Trevians crossed the plate, as the hosts overcame an early 1-0 deficit to smother GBS.

Senior Kennedy Glinn and juniors Lyla Andelin, Harper Glinn and Jenna Maclachlan had two hits apiece. Kennedy and Harper Glinn knocked in two runs each.

Senior Trinity Andelin tossed a one-hitter to earn the win in the circle for New Trier. She struck out six Titans while walking two.

To begin the game, Trinity Andelin gave up a walk, a single and an RBI ground out. And she shut down GBS hitters from there.

“It’s just about not thinking about the previous thing,” she said. “You forget it, you move on, you learn perhaps. Whenever I walk a batter, I think ‘tighten up.’ Usually, it’s because I’m too loose and I’m not game-ready.”

The New Trier offense picked up their hurler right away, scoring three runs in the first inning — RBI singles from Harper Glinn and Maclachlan the key moments.

The Trevians took advantage of several defensive miscues from the Titans in the first couple of innings, as they also plated four runs in the second and three more in the third.

Kennedy Glinn is in her fourth varsity season and said the team’s collective experience plays a role when they get down in any game.

“We’ve been really underclassmen heavy the past few years. That definitely has played a role,” she said. “… Having that maturity on the team helps everyone be a leader and contribute.”

Outfielders Campbell Bach and Ilana Styles — both three-year varsity players — are two other leaders in that potent junior class, as is starting pitcher Addy Varca, who alternates with Trinity Andelin in the circle.

Junior Ava Jackson and sophomore Elle Ieuter rounded out the Trevians lineup in Thursday’s win.

The Trevians finish up the first rotation in the CSL South with a road test at Glenbrook North on Tuesday, April 29, before facing Evanston on May 1 and Maine South again on May 6.

The Record is a nonprofit, nonpartisan community newsroom that relies on reader support to fuel its independent local journalism.

Become a member of The Record to fund responsible news coverage for your community.

Already a member? You can make a tax-deductible donation at any time.