Softball: Coach Stephanie Harmon finds right blend at Coal City

Updated: April 30, 2012 7:44PM

As a four-year varsity player at Plainfield South and a record-setting performer at Lewis University, Stephanie Harmon found success on the softball field.

This season, Harmon has taken that success to the field in a different role. Not even a year out of college, she’s the coach at Coal City.

“I have been very fortunate to get a coaching job right out of college, let alone a head varsity coaching job,” Harmon said. “This year of coaching has been a big learning experience for me. I have learned a lot of the aspects that go into coaching.”

At Lewis, Harmon set single-season records in 2010 for home runs (13), RBI (51) and total bases (110). She also is the Flyers all-time career home run leader with 34.

“I believe my background in playing at the collegiate level has helped me in my success as a coach,” she said. “I have learned so much at Lewis, and I have taken all of my knowledge to Coal City and am adapting it to the high school level. I love coaching and hope to be doing it for a long time.”

Entering play Monday, the Coalers were 15-6 overall and 7-3 in the Interstate Eight.

“Our season is going very well,” Harmon said. “We are mixed with the young and the old. We have six veterans, five of whom were on the state championship team two years ago. Molly Manietta and Hannah Boresi are playing our corners and are definitely leaders on the field. Morgan Youskevitch is our starting pitcher and is throwing the ball very well.

“Catching is Gabby Bonic, who has not only been great behind the plate but great at the plate. Madison Giordano and Allie Lardi are my veteran outfielders.

“Maddy Bunton and Carly Pavlis are doing spectacular up the middle and are producing many runs for us. Emily Aichele is a freshmen and is our starting right fielder and second pitcher. She has done great coming in and relieving Youskevitch and winning games.”

The Class 2A postseason parings will be released Tuesday. Coal City will be with Reed-Custer, Wilmington and host Seneca in the regional.

Teaming up for a cause

When Plainfield South travels to Minooka for a Southwest Prairie Conference showdown May 8, the game potentially could be for first place in the conference.

It also will have special meaning as the schools have teamed up for a special fundraiser called “Scoring Runs for JDRF” to help battle Type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes.

The players on both teams are trying to raise $100 each. To make a donation, visit http://
jdrfevents.donordrive.com/event/scoringrunsforjdrf/

To learn more about this fundraiser, as well as juvenile diabetes, contact Minooka assistant coach Amy Saelens at asaelens@mchs.net.

© 2013 Sun-Times Media, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be copied or distributed without permission. For more information about reprints and permissions, visit www.suntimesreprints.com. To order a reprint of this article, click here.