When two of the more successful softball programs in the area get together, one would expect a good game. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case Thursday afternoon when New Trier clashed with Fremd.

The Vikings rolled past the Trevians 7-0 thanks to a five-run third inning that extended a 1-0 lead to 6-0.

“They have a nice lineup and those first three batters with their ability to slap and with their speed, threw us off a little,” New Trier coach John Caldwell said.

“It started when we walked a girl after a 1-2 count and the home run sealed it for us after that. We couldn’t handle their speed, our infielders made some nice plays but there were just some things we couldn’t overcome.”

Fremd pitcher Nikki Kehoe kept the Trevians hitless through three innings and only allowed four hits, all singles, on the game. Ellie Head, Sophia Holt, Shayle Arenson and Alicia Bagan had the hits for New Trier.

“I’m not sure that what we were doing there (at bat),” Caldwell said. “We had an umpire who had a big strike zone and girls were playing umpire too much instead of going up there and doing what we needed to do.”

“The girls said they didn’t feel overwhelmed by the pitching, they thought she was hittable, but we can’t take called strikes. It’s hard to put the ball in play when you don’t take the bat off your shoulder, but it’s something we’ll work on and become better at.”

Catherine Hinkamp made her varsity pitching debut Thursday, going 6.1 innings, giving up 11 hits and all seven runs, while striking out three.

That’s a big change from last year when Dana Dolinko threw 141.1 out of a possible 212.2 innings.

“I’m hoping that she (Hinkamp) can develop into our ace,” Caldwell said. “She needs to get better command of the zone a little bit and then Alicia Bagan pitched well when she came in. Our pitching is where we weren’t sure what to expect but I’m pleased after seeing what I saw today.”

“Defensively our outfield work can use some work, but we’ll improve. Our girls will fix some mistakes they made and will get better. Our infielders showed some real moxie. They make mistakes, then redeem themselves, so it’s good to see that.”

Gillian Gossard comes back as the most experienced hitter from last year’s squad after leading the team in plate appearances with 129 in all 34 games and knocking out 35 hits in 98 at-bats, while scoring 38 times and walking 29, both of which were team highs last season.

Arenson is another returnee who saw extensive action and will be asked to do more in 2016. Last season, she hit .286 and knocked in 15 RBI and stole nine bases, the latter two being the tops in their categories among the returnees.

The offense will need to have players step up and knock in some of their teammates because the top four RBI leaders, all of whom had 23 or more RBI, all graduated.

Dolinko’s graduation left Bagan as the most experienced pitcher after the junior saw action in 16 games last season, eight of which were starts.

“We know what we have to work on if we want to do well,” Caldwell said.

The Trevians will look for the experience gained in Thursday’s game, as well as the upcoming game against Lincoln-Way East on Saturday, March 19, as they look to win yet another conference title and march toward a trip downstate in May and June.

– See more at: http://www.wilmettebeacon.com/high-school/softball-trevs-struggle-season-opener#sthash.UOpZI93n.dpuf