By Christian Davis
C & G Sports Writer

Farmington Hills Mercy softball coach Jack Falvo has already claimed neutrality when two of his former stars meet on opposing sides of the field next spring.

Alison Allen will don the colors of Wayne State University, while Andrea Dieterle will suit up for Northwood University. Both are NCAA Division 2 schools and compete in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

“I’m really looking forward to the Northwood and Wayne State game,” Falvo admitted. “I’m not going to root for anybody — I’m just going to be proud as heck for the two of them.”

The duo made Mercy proud by being named to the Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association’s Division 1 All-State team.

Allen has now been selected to the team three times, and Dieterle has received All-State honors twice.

While both were solid in the field — Allen at shortstop and Dieterle at first base — it was at the plate where they made their marks.

Falvo said Allen holds career- and individual-season school records in home runs, triples, doubles and RBIs. This season, she hit .545 with five home runs, 34 RBIs and 39 runs.

Dieterle finished 2008 with a .402 average, five home runs, 32 RBIs and 20 runs.
Falvo said the duo made coaching easier for him the last four years and admitted that now that they’re gone, things will have to change.

“I was always known as a small-ball coach,” Falvo said. “Over the last four years, we just kind of let the offense flow with those two in the batting order. … I think we’re going back to small ball.”

Falvo said Allen had such a propensity for the big hit that she had the green light on any pitch.

“We had enough confidence that if she could get the bat on the ball, she could do something positive,” Falvo said.

Case in point, the Marlins were playing Livonia Ladywood and the game was in extra innings. Allen stepped up to the plate, and Ladywood coaches decided to put her on first intentionally. But instead of taking the walk, she reached out for the pitch and drove in the winning run.

“That was probably my favorite hit,” Allen said. “She brought it a little too close, and it found its way to the outfield and we won.”

Falvo said Dieterle’s been a solid .400 hitter since her first game as a freshman.

“I said, ‘Wow, we have a freshman hitter that isn’t intimidated here,’” Falvo remembered.

The coach added that Dieterle had success against some of the state’s top pitchers and showed her power with a 250-foot home run.

“That just kind of shows what she’s capable of doing in college,” Falvo said.

But before they head off to the college ranks, both athletes said it was an honor to be recognized for their prep careers.

“It’s nice to know that (coaches) also see how much I’ve put into it and what I’ve done,” Dieterle said. “I’ve worked really hard to get as far as I have, and for other people to notice is a good feeling.”

“I guess I didn’t really aim for it,” Allen said. “I worked hard, and stuff just kind of happens if you’re lucky.”

As for their future showdown, both said they are excited to hit the field.

“It’d be cool if I’m in the outfield and she hits it hard, and I make a diving catch,” Allen said. “I’d say that’s the optimal thing.”

For Falvo, the perfect scenario has already played out.

You can reach Sports Writer Christian Davis at cdavis@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1062.