Central's Schneider named to NOW All-Suburban Team
Junior shortstop Lancers' MVP
Brookfield Central's Andrea Schneider charges to third base on a triple hit to deep center during the sectional semifinal this season against Germantown. Photo By Peter Zuzga
What do Brookfield Central shortstop Andrea Schneider and President Theodore Roosevelt have in common?
They both speak softly and carry a big stick.
The term was taken from an African proverb - 'Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.' Roosevelt first used it when he asked Congress for money to increase U.S. naval preparedness to support his diplomatic objectives.
In Schneider's case, the term describes the way she plays the game of softball. And she has gone far.
Schneider, who is the only Brookfield player on the 2010 NOW All-Suburban Softball team, was a first-team All-Greater Metro Conference selection this year and runner-up league Player of the Year. The third-year star, who was second-team all-conference performer as a junior, was the Lancers' Most Valuable Player this season.
As for her big stick, she batted an amazing .617, with a .640 on base percentage, a .1000 slugging mark, with four doubles, four triples, two homers and RBIs while batting second in the lineup.
In the field, she has outstanding range and a strong arm, two requirements of an excellent shortstop.
"Andrea is a great player," crosstown rival coach Kurt Raguse of Brookfield East said. "She has all the tools - runs well, hits, fields and throws very well.
"She has some of the quickest feet I have ever seen - from fielding the ball to getting the throw off she is better than anyone I have seen this year."
As for her speaking softly, she has been a leader by example in the past.
"Andrea is a very quiet person," Central coach Dawn Mooney-Lazu said. "But when she comes out of her shell, it's wonderful. At times we needed for her to come out of her shell and speak up and become a voice for our team. Her and Lindsay (Wille), they were the leaders of our team.
"On the field she would step up and give, 'attaboys' to her teammates. When they would look to her, she would give them advice. She has matured the last two years."
Schneider was looking to improve going into this season, one that saw the Lancers win their first Greater Metro Conference Championship since 1979 and their first regional title since 2005 and only their second in the last decade.
"I was looking to hit better than I did last year and field better than I did the past two years," she said, "and it kind of happened.
"We had a lot of returning players and we had the two freshmen (Taylor Held, Jessica Meichtry) and we knew they were going to be good. We felt confident with a good pitcher and a good defense that we'd be alright."
Schneider, who has been playing softball since the fourth grade, knows it's important to have a good all-around game.
"I think my fielding is stronger than my hitting," she said. "I have some things in my hitting that I need to work on."
"She owns shortstop," Mooney-Lazu said. "Some of the plays she was making, her footwork was unbelievable. Her throws, just the way she can throw the ball, the way she could field. She could do everything.
"She was our No. 2 hitter all season and she was clutch. Her overall batting average was .617 and that is unbelievable. She led our team in home runs. When we needed a run she was clutch."
Schneider was thrilled with her team's season and she is looking forward to her senior year.
"It was a great season," she said. "I think we got farther than we thought we would. We definitely think we can do it again next year because we have a lot coming back.
"We were really proud of ourselves for the season."
BEST OF THE REST
HIGH HONORABLE MENTION - PITCHER: Brookfield Central freshman Taylor Held would be the Lancers' Most Valuable Player if Andrea Schneider wasn't around. It seemed like she pitched every inning of every game (she didn't) and did an amazing job for a first-year player. And she could swing the bat too, batting fifth in the order.
HONORABLE MENTION - PITCHER: Brookfield East sophomore Amanda Kalupa of Brookfield East might be the top hurler in this league, but a lack of hitting and defense behind her hurt her numbers. This lady knows how to pitch. INFIELDER: Brookfield Central second baseman Lindsay Wille was like an assistant coach for the Lancers. The senior captain not only was a vocal leader, but she was a solid lead-off hitter and an outstanding defensive player.
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