Hornets’ Capocci cherishes winning season

Updated: May 17, 2011 9:54PM

Last year’s lost softball season has made this season extra special for Hinsdale South center fielder Dana Capocci.

Capocci, a junior, played in only five games last season.

She returned near the end of the season after having surgery on her right shoulder to repair both the torn rotator cuff and torn labrum. Capocci’s pitching career was over so she re-invented herself as a full-time outfielder.

“I was a pitcher from age 8 to 14,” Capocci said. “I had the surgery because I knew I was not going to be a pitcher in college.”

Capocci endured some of the worst pain of her life to return. But last year was last year.

This year, Capocci has been relatively pain-free. She ices her shoulder after every game just in case she feels some pain.

“It has taken me a while to get my full range of motion back and my strength,” Capocci said. “I’m still going to be there, but some days I get tired.”

Capocci plays the outfield for her travel team, the Lisle-based Bulls/Sox Academy, but has become one of the Hornets’ leading hitters this season while batting in the No. 3 spot in first-year coach Kelly Van Hout’s lineup.

Entering the last week of the regular season, Capocci and freshman Jessica Andree are in a tight battle for the team batting title. The Hornets (17-12, 8-3) aren’t going to catch Downers South for the West Suburban Gold title, but could tie Leyden for second with only one conference game remaining against Proviso East Tuesday, May 17. Hinsdale South finishes the regular season at Mother McAuley Thursday, May 19, and hosts Downers North at 4:30 p.m. Friday.

The 10th-seeded Hornets open the Class 4A playoffs at 4:30 p.m. May 25 against seventh-seeded Neuqua Valley at Downers South. The two teams were scheduled to meet May 12, but once the playoff pairings were released that game was cancelled. The winner will likely play second-seeded Downers South in the regional final at 11 a.m. May 28 at South.

“We feel great about our chances at going pretty far,” Capocci said. “We have confidence in each other. One problem we do have is that we can’t win games without scoring runs. In the field, we can’t be inconsistent.”

The development of Andree has even impressed Capocci, who is in her third varsity season. Andree continues to platoon starts with senior Amy Narotsky.

“As a freshman, she is positive and not nervous about competing against the older girls,” Capocci said.

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