When things get out of sync, Oak Forest freshman Morgan Reczkiewicz isn’t afraid to speak up and fix it.
One of those situations occurred before Thursday’s game.
“Where’s the music?” Reczkiewicz shouted out, starting a scramble among teammates to find a phone that would connect to the sound system.
“I think it’s just a type of pregame thing that we use that just hypes us up,” Reczkiewicz said later. “Before the game, in between innings, in between batters, I feel it gives us a good vibe in the dugout.”
She then spoke volumes with her bat as well for the host Bengals in their 7-0 victory over Oak Lawn in a South Suburban Conference crossover.
Reczkiewicz reached all four times and had two hits for Oak Forest (18-6-1, 10-3-1 SSC Blue). Mia Delisi, Annabelle Rush and Rachel Minnich also had two hits apiece.
Kaitlyn Berkery had the only hit of the game for Oak Lawn (9-12, 4-8 SSC Red).
Senior right-hander Hailey Wesner, meanwhile, was a force in the circle. She struck out 16 in her first appearance since suffering a back issue on April 29.
More Top Picks Co Detectors
“I was a little nervous coming into the game,” Wesner said. “I was thinking I might not have my best stuff or I might hurt myself again. But honestly, the more I kept pitching the better I felt.
“I kept getting more confident. And it did not hurt at all, so that’s a good sign.”
Reczkiewicz was Oak Forest’s most difficult batter for the Spartans to handle.
In the first inning, she worked a walk. In the second, she ripped an RBI single to left. In the fourth, she hit a rocket off the center field fence for a double. She walked once again in the fifth.
For the season, Reczkiewicz is batting .324 with five doubles, a triple, two home runs and 25 RBIs. She has also drawn 10 walks.
On defense, Reczkiewicz has not made an error while playing at either first base or third base.
“I’m feeling pretty good so far,” Reczkiewicz said. “I’ve had a good start. You always have ups and downs. You just need to overcome the downs and keep going.”
Reczkiewicz made the most of an invite from Oak Forest coach Nick Fuentes to try out with the varsity. She earned a starting sport for opening day.
“It actually started in the offseason,” Fuentes said. “Morgan showed up and put all of the work in. And when you put the work in, you’re going to get noticed.
“Right out the gate at tryouts, it was going to hard to keep her down, especially since we lost some pop from last year’s lineup. One thing we were looking for was a big bat.”
They got not only a big bat, but a big personality.
“I think Morgan is so cool for being a freshman,” Delisi said. “Morgan is the coolest person ever, honestly. And when she comes to bat, I know she is going to hit the daylights out of the ball.
“She’s just one of those people you can count on to come through.”
More Top Picks Best Large Room Ceiling Fans
Wesner doesn’t even mind when she demands music.
“Yeah, being a freshman on the varsity is definitely a big deal,” Wesner said, smiling. “But Morgan has come out here and shown what she can do and shown she deserves to be here.
“It’s just really cool to see. I love that she’s already stepping out of her comfort zone now as a freshman. I know by the time she gets to be a senior, she’ll have such a big impact on this team. We’re teaching her to be a leader.”