As her catcher, Richards sophomore Layla Kruse does more than frame pitches and block the ones that bounce in from staff ace Emily Chavosky.
She also leads the chant from the dugout when Chavosky — who wears No. 18 — is in the batter’s box.
When Kruse shouts “one eighter gator,” everyone on the bench chomps with their hands.
“I actually did cheer in grammar school,” Kruse said. “I had to stop when COVID hit. That’s when I started softball.”
Kruse started the spark Tuesday afternoon for the Bulldogs in a 6-0 South Suburban Red victory over visiting Shepard in Oak Lawn.
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Mia Albon was the hitting star for Richards (7-6, 5-1), going 3-for-3 with a double. Chavosky added a pair of hits and also struck out 13 for the pitching win.
Meghan Potenza and Juliann Radz came up with hits for Shepard (2-7, 2-2).
Kruse got things going for the Bulldogs in the bottom of the first inning. Her screaming grounder to short caromed into left field and sent home Albon, who had singled and stole second.
That, as it turned out, was all the offensive support Chavosky needed.
“With my swing, I can pretty much go wherever the team needs me to,” Kruse said. “I like to hit with runners in scoring position and get them in.”
Kruse is having a solid first varsity season. She’s hitting .243 with three doubles, two triples and six RBIs.
As a freshman, she played shortstop for the junior varsity. When the team gathered this spring, she spoke up when Richards coach Julie Folliard held an interesting tryout session.
Dateli Sandoval, last year’s catcher, had graduated and moved on to Aurora University.
“We needed a catcher, so I asked, ‘Who can catch? How many do we have?'” Folliard said. “Very quietly, Layla said, ‘I’m a catcher.’
“It takes some talent to catch Emily Chavosky. It takes some savvy because she can bring the heat. You have to be ready.”
Four players, including Kruse, stepped forward. Chavosky was the test pitcher. Kruse was nervous … but not too nervous. She had an edge.
“I’d known Emily for a long time,” Kruse said. “So I felt a little pressure, but once we got into a flow, it felt good.”
Chavosky — and Folliard — were impressed.
“I had to pitch to all four and Layla performed very well,” Chavosky said. “I think it was a mix of everything. Her framing was super good and her blocking was great.
“This season, she has shown an ability to cheer everybody up. When I’m struggling a little bit, she’ll come out with a confidence boost for me. She’s a very motivated catcher. I love having her back there.”
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On a bunt attempt fouled back Tuesday against Shepard, Kruse reared up and caught the ball for strike three.
“Oh yeah, she’s also got those cat-like reflexes,” Chavosky said, laughing.
Kruse isn’t like many catchers in another way. When she reaches base, Folliard doesn’t send in a courtesy runner.
“She doesn’t need a runner,” Folliard said. “She’s got good speed.”
So much speed, that as a track competitor at Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School, she was a conference champion.
Kruse is still a competitive runner at Richards as a member of the girls cross country team.
“I’m not that great at cross country, but I do enjoy it,” Kruse said. “I put a lot of work into it. I do miss track sometimes, but I’m glad I chose softball.
“I’m really excited to finish up this season with Emily. I’m excited to grow with the help of my coaches, especially coach (Emily) Wetzel. She has been really helping me with my framing. I’m excited to grow and be the best that I can for my team.”
Tony Baranek is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtotwn.