One word pretty much covers it regarding the playing style of Richards’ MaryJane Goodman.
Aggressive.
Her philosophy? You don’t get ahead by being laid back.
“I would see older people like college players stand out by getting the extra base,” Goodman said. “I want to do that. I want be known as someone who strides further than they can reach.”
Goodman, a junior shortstop, put those traits on full display in Tuesday’s 8-1 win over Tinley Park in a South Suburban Conference crossover.
In the bottom of the first inning, she showed great range to her right by chasing down a pop-up down the left field line.
“We’ve been working on that a lot at practice,” Goodman said. “Once I saw that opportunity, I wanted to get that out for my team. I wanted to nail it down.”
In the bottom of the second, she showed great range to her left by chasing down another pop-up.
Well, maybe a little too much range. She actually collided with second baseman Meghan Wirtz while catching the ball.
“Oh, yeah … that one,” Goodman said, laughing. “I just saw it and I thought I had it. It felt nice having her behind me, but I almost ran her over.”
And then there was the offense.
Goodman drove in the first run of the game with a sharp single to left. During her next at-bat, her hustle turned a single into a two-base advance. She then stole third.
She finished 3-for-4 with walk as Richards (15-4, 17-7 SSC Red) cruised to the win. Abby Mallo was 3-for-3 with 3 RBIs.
Senior right-hander Sarah Carpenter went five innings, striking out seven and allowing one run on one hit. Bridget Walsh threw two scoreless innings in relief.
Ashley Tipping doubled and scored on a sacrifice fly by Tori Richardson for Tinley Park (8-9, 8-9 SSC Blue).
Mallo loves Goodman’s full-on aggressiveness.
“MaryJane is so talented,” Mallo said. “She always takes advantage of the moment. She looks for open opportunities and exceeds expectations.”
For the season, Goodman is hitting .465 with 12 doubles.
The love Mallo has for Goodman’s style? Ditto for Richards coach Julie Folliard.
“MaryJane is definitely Irish,” Folliard said, smiling. “She’s very aggressive, and she’s passionate. M.J. is passionate about this game and passionate about everything she does.
“That’s a lot of what you see. She’s just a super-talented player who has grown a ton in the last two years.”
Mallo, a junior catcher, also is on a roll.
She went 5-for-5 with two home runs, two doubles and a triple in Monday’s 19-4 win over Oak Lawn.
So far, it has been quite a week.
“I’m kind of relaxed,” Mallo said. “It’s the end of the regular season. Oak Lawn is a rivalry game and we always want to play our best then.
“And my teammates, they have my back. Maggie Fitzgerald had a home run. It’s just so easy to bounce off of the energy that this team has and do better.”
Mallo made a name for herself as a freshman. She was honorable mention all-area after hitting .475 and leading the team in doubles.
The coronavirus pandemic brought an unwanted break.
“It was disappointing losing a season,” Mallo said. “We are surrounded by such great seniors. I missed out on a season with them. And a junior like MaryJane, I missed out a season with her.
“Then Sarah Carpenter, our pitcher, came back after not pitching for two years. And she looks great. I benefit from catching for her. I’m super lucky to finally have a year with all of them.”