PEORIA — There were no visible tears on the knees of her jersey pants.
But Marist senior Camryn Lyons sure did put them through a rugged test on the turf in left field at Louisville Slugger Sports Complex.
The Boston University commit made not one but two sliding catches Saturday that wowed the crowd on hand for the Class 4A state championship game.
Hurt much?
“No, it did not hurt at all,” Lyons said with a smile. “It was just a reaction to the ball. There were a few amazing catches. Both teams were amazing on defense.”
While Lyons didn’t have any tears on her jersey, she did have a few tears on her face. It had been a tough day for the RedHawks, who lost 7-2 to St. Charles North.
But it didn’t end without highlights.
In addition to her two sparkling catches, Lyons drove in a run with an RBI single for Marist (36-4). Gabi Novickas added an RBI double, while junior right-hander Gianna Hillegonds struck out nine.
Maddie Hernandez and Ginger Ritter both hit home runs for St. Charles North (26-6).
It was a day in which Marist had multiple chances to score many runs. The RedHawks didn’t but it wasn’t because they weren’t making contact.
They had no strikeouts after the first inning against Paige Murray. Two rockets that had home-run distance went foul by a couple of feet. Two line drives were speared before they left the infield.
“I had faith in us the whole game,” Lyons said. “I believed in us. We could have come back, and sometimes you fall short. I’m so proud of everyone on the team. Everyone contributed.
“We are so close. I’m just proud of these girls.”
For Lyons, this was the second season in a row where she had the highest batting average on the team. In the field, she has been a “steady hand” for Marist coach Colleen Phelan.
“She was calm, cool and collected all the time,” Phelan said. “She led by example. She led vocally. She has been consistent for our lineup the last couple of years.
“We could count on her to come through at any point. And the way she played defense this season has been unbelievable.”
The other senior who will be graduating is one of the most versatile players in Marist history.
Notre Dame-bound Caroline O’Brien started in center field as a sophomore, at catcher as a junior and at shortstop as a senior. As a freshman, she played a key role off the field.
“Haha … she was like our hype woman,” Phelan said. “She was (ace pitcher) Abby Dunning’s counselor her freshman year. And then, to be able to play in three state championship games in three different positions was amazing.
“Caroline was an absolute true utility player. She was our sparkplug at the top of the lineup the past couple of years. Speed, power, you name it — she has it all. She was a truly special player that’ll go down in Marist history as one of the best to play.”
O’Brien singled and scored in Saturday’s championship game. She also walked and hit a long drive that cleared the fence by plenty but was just foul.
She ends her career with plenty of pride and great memories. Freshman year, included.
“Yeah, that year I considered myself the team therapist,” O’Brien said, laughing. “I knew my role as a freshman wasn’t going to be on the field. I knew that when Abby needed someone to calm her down, that was my job. I took that really seriously, and it really brought me and Abby close.”
The position changes?
“It’s all been fun,” O’Brien said. “The reason I could do it was because I could trust my teammates and coach trusted me. When you have trust with everyone around you, I truly believe you can do everything.”
The trust worked well this season, with four freshman starters.
“Having four freshmen (starting) is really scary for them,” O’Brien said. “But they really trusted in us, trusted me and ‘Cam’ and trusted in themselves. Their future is really bright.
“I can’t wait come back and watch them succeed.”
Tony Baranek is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
