HIGH SCHOOL NOTEBOOK

Paraclete shortstop Jackie Kolesar must have something against playing games early in the season.

The two-time All-Alpha League selection has missed the Spirits’ first five games because of pneumonia and mononucleosis. Kolesar, a senior, returned to school on Friday after being out since Feb. 13.

Last season, Kolesar missed the first 11 games because of a hip injury sustained during basketball season. She still finished tied for the team lead with 22 runs batted in.

“I think she just waits until the games get important,” Paraclete Coach Margaret Neill said. “Actually, it has been killing her that she hasn’t been able to play.”

Neill said Kolesar will begin working out next week to help regain her strength.

“I hope she can come back,” Neill said. “I don’t think she will be able to play until the last two weeks of April. If we had her, we would be so much better defensively. She is also a very strong hitter.”

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The recent play of Tori Rocco and Lauren Watson has reaffirmed their status as one of the region’s top pitcher-catcher combinations.

Rocco is 5-1 with three no-hitters. She recorded her fourth shutout Tuesday in a 5-0 victory over Quartz Hill.

Rocco’s success can be partly attributed to the strong play of Watson. The senior, who has committed to Brigham Young, possesses one of the strongest arms in the region. She’s equally effective offensively, hitting home runs in consecutive games.