Monday wasn’t just the start of another week in the softball life of Marist sophomore Bree Hanik. It was a chance to feel like herself again.
Hanik was back playing in right field for the first time since suffering a pretty gruesome leg injury. Being in the lineup as only a DH was taking its mental toll.
“I like hitting, but I also really like playing defense,” she said. “It was hard only doing one thing.”
Hanik was at her best with both her bat and her glove for the RedHawks during a 6-1 East Suburban Catholic Conference victory over host Joliet Catholic.
Hanik had three hits, including a big three-run homer, for Marist (16-2, 2-0). Eileen Donahue added a home run, while Gianna Hillegonds struck out four and threw a complete game.
Alina Schlageter, Addison Fanter and Camryn Kinsella all doubled for Joliet Catholic (14-7, 3-2). Addy Rizzatto added an RBI.
Hanik’s biggest contribution came in the top of the fifth with the RedHawks clinging to a 2-1 lead.
Camryn Lyons led off the inning with a double and Gabi Novickas walked on four pitches.
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Hanik took the first pitch for a strike. But not the second. She drove that one down the left field line, well over the fence for a game-breaking home run.
“When I went up, I was just thinking opposite field to get Cam and Gabi in,” Hanik said. “And then she threw me the inside pitch, and I was like, ‘I cannot miss this.’ When she threw it again, I did not miss it.
“At first, I didn’t know if it would go far enough for a home run, but I was watching it when it went over.”
Hanik singled in the seventh to complete a very satisfying comeback day. The look on her face was a familiar one to Marist coach Colleen Phelan.
“Bree is a girl who is always playing with a smile on her face,” Phelan said. “Whether she’s swinging and missing or hitting a ball over the fence, she’s always got that smile.”
April 3 was one painful exception.
During a game against Lincoln-Way Central, Hanik was thrown out trying to steal second base. But that wasn’t the worst of it.
“The girl cleated my skin,” Hanik said. “I thought it was just like a normal cleat, but then I was like, ‘Oh, it hurts.’ As I was walking back I looked down and saw all of this blood.
“I was like, ‘What in the world?’ When I moved my sock and all I could see was a hole in my leg, I was like, ‘Oh, my God.'”
The look on her face was not a familiar one to Lyons — who has had plenty of experience.
“Me and Bree have been playing side by side in the outfield since we were 6 years old,” Lyons said. “I’ve known Bree my whole entire life, and that was one of the few times I’ve seen her cry.”
An infection in the inch-deep gash kept Lyons out of the outfield for more than two weeks.
Hanik is in her second season as a varsity player. She was a starter in right field as a freshman and had a double in the Class 4A state championship game.
Monday’s outburst boosted the batting average for her sophomore season to .400. The home run was her third.
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The smile was her … well, they’re pretty much innumerable.
“Bree is always making everyone laugh, no matter what she does,” Lyons said. “If she’s having a good day or a bad day you’ll never know. That’s why she’s such a great player and a great teammate.
“I’m so happy she’s back to play right field.”