Amanda Sandilla played third base for Hobart as a junior last season.
She spent the offseason sharpening her skills at the position.
Save for a brief experiment at second base in the Brickies’ scrimmage, the plan called for Sandilla to play third as a senior this season.
But when those plans changed and she was needed at catcher, she didn’t hesitate.
“Anything to help my team,” Sandilla said. “I love catching too. I have a lot of experience behind the plate too.”
Sandilla called third base her favorite and best position. But she is indeed no stranger to catcher.
When she started with softball, it was as a catcher. She played that spot until she was 12. She caught for the Brickies as a sophomore after serving as their designated player as a freshman.
Sandilla considers versatility among her strengths. She plays outfield, first base, third and catcher in travel ball, helping her earn a scholarship to Calumet College, where she will study elementary education.
In a sense, Sandilla has returned to her roots this season.
“She took it in stride,” Hobart coach James Wright said. “That’s the kind of kid she is. She’s the first one to show up to workouts and the last one to leave. She’s a leader.”
Sandilla, a fixture in the middle of the Brickies’ lineup throughout her career, was selected as a captain this season for a team that returned eight starters and has six seniors.
“I don’t really feel any different,” she said. “I try not to be too ‘coachy.’ We’re all one team, nobody’s above or below anybody. I just try to give extra tips if I can and get everyone pumped up more than I usually would.”
The Brickies’ bond has been especially tested the last week.
Wright lost his mother Friday. Visitation was Monday and the funeral Tuesday.
Right after Hobart’s game against Munster on Monday, all 13 of the players, still clad in their uniforms, carpooled to spend time with Wright.
“It’s affected everyone,” Sandilla said. “We feel so bad. As a team, we want to do as much as we can. We’re trying to push even more.
“It’s been emotional. We know he’s upset, and we’re upset. We’re trying to do whatever we can to help him feel better.”
The outpouring has moved Wright.
“When they strolled in, it was pretty emotional,” he said. “You have your family and your softball family, and they’ve been extremely supportive. We lost that game, but I was happy to see them.”
Getting ready: The Region is already packed with tough opponents, and Crown Point played two tough out-of-area opponents within the last week.
The Bulldogs split a Saturday doubleheader at Downers Grove South, Illinois’ No. 1 team in Class 4A, suffering their first loss of the season. They edged Penn, ranked No. 1 in the state coaches poll, 2-1 on Monday.
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“The postseason is close and that’s a new season,” Crown Point coach Ginger Britton said. “It’s good for us to have some close games at the end and see what we’re made of.”
The Bulldogs were ranked No. 1 in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 national poll for two weeks before falling to No. 6 this week. They were No. 2 in the state coaches poll and could be poised to move to the top with their win over the Kingsmen.
“We were the underdog and we wanted to prove ourselves that we deserved that spot,” senior Miranda Elish said.
On a roll: LaPorte’s goals have included finishing in the upper tier of the Duneland Athletic Conference, winning its sectional and winning on senior day. The Slicers also have a chance to make a run at the school record of 22 wins.
They were 16-5 after Wednesday’s 3-2, eight-inning loss to Lake Central.
“If you would’ve told me that record, I would’ve taken it in a minute,” LaPorte coach Bob Severs said.
“This may be the best chemistry and attitudes we’ve had in my 11 years. They’re really able to rally around each other.”
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TOP 10
With records through Wednesday and last week’s rankings in parentheses
1. Crown Point 18-1 (1)
2. Boone Grove 13-2 (2)
3. Kankakee Valley 20-2 (4)
4. Chesterton 12-4 (3)
5. Lake Central 17-6 (7)
6. LaPorte 16-5 (6)
7. Hanover Central 19-4 (5)
8. Andrean 15-5 (8)
9. Valparaiso 14-9 (10)
10. Munster 15-8 (9)
Player of the Week: Senior first baseman Brittany Raab went 2-for-2 with a double and two RBIs as Highland beat Munster 2-1 on Wednesday.