Player of the Year: Delaney demands respect at the plate

• Reprints

Updated: August 4, 2011 4:20PM

SOFTBALL — There’s no greater sign of respect as a hitter than not seeing a pitch to hit.

Chelsea Delaney knows that frustration all too well.

The New Trier senior was the player circled in the lineup cards of opposing teams, the object of scouting reports.

At the Glenbrook South Supersectional, Lake Zurich’s Megan Mattera, one of the top pitchers in the Chicago area, treated the strike zone like a no-fly zone when Delaney was in the box.

“I was not going to give her anything too good,” said the Miami (Ohio)-bound pitcher, who walked Delaney four times in four at-bats. “She’s their big hitter.”

Delaney’s bat anchored New Trier and carried the Trevians to their second trip to the state tournament in four seasons. The Kenyon recruit finished the spring batting .453 with 11 homers and 47 RBI. On the biggest stage in East Peoria, she went 3-for-6 with a homer.

New Trier finished 0-2 at the state tournament, losing 2-1 to St. Charles North in the semifinals before falling to Benet 7-4 in the third-place game.

“We were excited to be there,” said Delaney. “Even though we lost, we were one of the final four teams. I don’t think anyone considered us to be contenders, so we were all happy to be there.”

Delaney enjoyed more success at New Trier than most players expect. She was part of three sectional championships and played at the state tournament twice.

“It was amazing,” she said of her experience. “I loved every minute of it. Everybody helped me have a great time, and I was able to grow as a person and as a player.

“I am looking forward to the next step in my career. I just hope to have the same kind of success, or even more, there.”

Delaney is one of three Trevians who will play in college. Raechel Cloud is heading to University of Chicago, while Leah Herlocker will attend Allegheny College, where she will face Delaney in the North Coast Athletic Conference.

“I look forward to playing against her,” Delaney said. “We each want to win, but it will be a friendly competition.”