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player ready...Highland Park freshman Natalie Abreu was certain she had an RBI double into the right-center field gap during her team’s softball game against Lake Forest on Saturday, April 30.
She didn’t. Scouts sophomore center fielder Jon’nah Williams took off like she was fired out of a cannon and made an amazing grab while sprinting to her left.
Abreu shook her head in disbelief as she trotted back to the dugout. Behind home plate, more than two dozen fans spent the next few minutes clamoring about how easy she made the play look.
Opponents are finding out fast it’s probably a bad idea to hit the ball in the air anywhere near Williams, who enjoys discussing the game of softball — and how she hopes it’s a big part of her future.
“I aim to play softball in college one day,” Williams said after the Scouts’ 3-2 loss to Highland Park. “I’m getting ready to send letters out. I’m getting videos of myself ready. Playing after high school is something that’s a goal and a dream of mine, and I plan on continuing to work hard to make that happen.”
Her college dream is why she stopped playing basketball after her freshman year to focus solely on softball. She doesn’t have any scholarship offers yet, but with more than two full years to develop as a player, she’s not rushing either.
Lake Forest coach Susie Brugioni, who used Williams as her No. 2 hitter last season, has bumped her up to the leadoff spot this spring. The move was a natural — and obvious — progression.
“Defensively, she runs down pretty much everything,” Brugioni said, “and we have her in the leadoff spot because of her game-changing speed. You can’t teach speed, and Jon’nah has next-level … college-level speed. But at the same time, we want her to understand what it’s going to take to play at that next level, and just how much commitment there is on a daily basis.”
That commitment likely will involve playing on a travel team, where Williams would be tested against elite competition she might not see while playing for Lake Forest’s summer club. Brugioni said Williams will play with the Scouts this summer but has encouraged her leadoff hitter to pursue options with top-notch travel teams in the future.
“She’s a hard worker, but she’s gonna have to be the one who makes it happen,” Brugioni said. “Her and her family seem committed to that.”
Scouts senior left fielder Katie Wickman, who has seen Williams’ speed and skill up close, said she has no qualms with Brugioni’s wanting Williams to take as many fly balls as possible from the corner outfielders when they’re in the gaps.
“I have no problem with Jon’nah cutting in front of me out there at all,” Wickman said. “If anything, it’s a blessing, because it means we have a player who has the speed and defensive ability to change the game. She’s in center, so it’s her job to take charge and call us off if she needs to. And don’t forget she’s just a great person. Always smiling, having fun. She’s great to be around.”
Williams, who hit .411 as a freshman, is also out to prove her bat isn’t prone to a sophomore slump. Her average was in the .300s as of Saturday, April 30.
“Jon’nah is very naturally strong, and as she matures, she’s starting to show she can really drive the ball,” Brugioni said. “We’re just trying to make sure she keeps her swing level so she hits the ball hard on the ground, or hits line drives in the gaps so she can use her speed. We want her always thinking two (bases) on every hit, and thinking three on every ball in the alleys.”
Tim Froehlig is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @TFroehlig