Keira Hayton feels the need for speed, even if she happens to be slotted into a traditional power spot by batting third in West Aurora’s lineup.
The 5-foot-4 senior, who signed in February with Missouri-St. Louis, has a game based on speed as she patrols center field for coach Randy Hayslett.
Hayslett has three speedsters at the top of his batting order, led by senior shortstop Sara Tarr and followed by strong slappers in sophomore left fielder Gracie Del Toro and Hayton.
“When it’s working, it’s gonna go well,” Hayton said. “We have a lot of new people this year and a lot of younger girls.
“I think having Sara, Gracie and me at the top, when we all do our jobs, it will get us going good and give us a good start.”
The jury is still out following Tuesday’s 13-4 loss to Riverside-Brookfield in Aurora in an Upstate Eight Conference crossover, primarily because of the small sample size.
On the plus side, the trio accounted for four of the six hits and three of the runs scored by the Blackhawks (0-2). Two starters had to leave mid-game for a National Honor Society induction and three missed last week’s season-opening 9-6 loss to Waubonsie Valley for a school field trip.
And pitching, of course, will be just as big in the team’s development. Hayslett used three Tuesday — freshman Bella Celeste Doyle and sophomores Ally Lambert and Aminah Leverence.
“Even if one of us three hits a single, the next pitch we’re gonna likely be on second,” Hayton said. “We’re all hustling, moving around the bases. That’s a good top three right there. I enjoy it.”
The trio combined for 39 steals last season — Tarr with 23, Hayton 11 and Del Toro five.
On Tuesday, the Blackhawks went 7-for-7 on steals as Tarr and Del Toro recorded two apiece. Hayton, sophomore right fielder Anna Tarr and sophomore infielder Balla Marzullo each had one.
Sara Tarr hit a two-run homer, her second of the season, and Marzullo added a two-run single.
“Coach wants me hitting leadoff to get the most at bats,” said Tarr, an Ohio State recruit in her fourth year as a varsity starter. “I’ve been batting leadoff every year I’ve played here. He wanted Keira behind Gracie because Keira is not just a slapper. She can power hit.
“And if Gracie and I are on base, Keira can place the ball. It helps us more with runners on.”
Del Toro has made the biggest move after batting ninth last season.
“I was always on the bottom of the order,” Del Toro said. “It was me and then Sara at leadoff. I had a hint at the end of the year we’d do this and I’d move up. It makes the top of our order very strong.
“I think it’s likely that one of us three, if not two or all three, will get on base. Once we do, I remember Keira saying, ‘We’ll go around the bases. We all have good speed and are able to steal.’ Having Anna (Tarr) in right let’s us cover a lot of ground, too.”
Hayton, who hit .340 last season and earned third team all-state honors, should be able to improve upon her 16 RBIs.
“At first, when I saw I was hitting third, I was like, ‘Whoa, boy, I’m no cleanup hitter,’” said Hayton, who has warmed up to the task. “I make jokes about it, but it will depend on the game situation.
“I’m definitely still more of a slapper, though.”
Hayton did a lot of the legwork, along with help from older sister Kaylee, in finding her spot with Missouri-St. Louis.
Kaylee, a 2014 West Aurora alum who pitched for both North Central College and Aurora University, teaches young pitchers. She reached out this winter to the coaches after Missouri-St. Louis signed Huntley catcher/shortstop Madison Rozanski.
Sophomore May Pasqualini, an Oswego East graduate whose dad Mark coaches Aurora Central Catholic, also plays for Missouri-St. Louis.
“I’m really excited and can’t wait to get started,” Keira said.
