Playing instructions for Oswego newcomer Adalynn Fugitt are pretty simple, really.
You go girl. Fast.
A freshman speedster and self-taught bunter and slapper, the left-handed Fugitt does just that. She’s a blur on the bases for a veteran team coming off the program’s first appearance at state.
“She impressed us at tryouts,” Oswego co-coach Annie Scaramuzzi said of Fugitt. “We knew we were missing some speed in our lineup, especially losing a difference-maker like Kaylee LaChappell to graduation.
“We were scoring runs, but we still felt like in tough games, we’d need the small ball and we’d need speed. We knew Adalynn would bring that.”
But could she handle varsity pressure?
So far, so good as Fugitt demonstrated that once again in a 9-3 victory Thursday when the Panthers traveled across town for a Southwest Prairie Conference showdown at Oswego East.
“Get ′em started, be the spark,” Fugitt said, describing her role.
After being hit by a pitch to open Thursday’s game, Fugitt stole second, moved to third on a fielder’s choice and scored on a two-out single from Northern Illinois recruit Aubriella Garza.
Fugitt added an RBI bunt single in a five-run second inning, beat out a slap grounder to third base and finally was retired on a comebacker to sophomore pitcher Addyson Dunn.
Garza pitched the win for Oswego (17-0, 6-0). Iowa-bound senior catcher Kiyah Chavez highlighted a 10-hit attack with a two-run homer, her fourth of the season. Junior outfielder Savannah Page added a two-run triple.
Sophomore second baseman Danielle Stone, senior outfielder Lundin Cornelius and senior catcher Ryenne Sinta had two hits apiece for the Wolves (7-8, 3-2).
“We had 10 hits and need to do better pushing them across the plate,” Oswego East coach Sarah Davies-Dymanus said. “Get the bases loaded against a team like this you need to get something.”
Oswego twice stopped potential rallies for the Wolves with double plays.
Fugitt, meanwhile, opened the season playing one game for the junior varsity but joined the varsity for Oswego’s trip to Gulf Shores, Alabama over spring break.
“She’s very fast and basically fit right in,” Chavez said. “I wanted her to be on our team from the beginning. I think a lot of us did, but I think they wanted her to earn her spot.
“She’s incredibly talented, but being a freshman on varsity can be a lot, so I’m sure they wanted to give her a second. She’s a great kid — hilarious. I love her.”
Coaches were quickly impressed as well.
“From her first at-bat in Gulf Shores, we knew we had just found our leadoff hitter,” Scaramuzzi said. “She slapped and beat it out.”
Fugitt, who has played both middle infield positions, can play in the outfield and also pitches.
LaChappell, now a freshman at Missouri S&T, hit .405 with a .477 on-base percentage and 24 stolen bases last spring. Fugitt is hitting .478 with a .529 OBP and seven steals in 15 games.
She started softball at age 8 in the Oswego Baseball and Softball Association recreation league, and within a year had joined the Oswego Liberty travel program started by coach Doug Hagerty.
“I used to bat righty because I’m a natural righty,” said Fugitt, who ran track in middle school junior high and holds three Traughber Junior High records in the 100, 200 and hurdles. “I actually didn’t hit the greatest righty, so during COVID, I ended up switching to lefty by watching YouTube videos.
“It’s tricky to track a ball while you’re moving your feet, but I worked hard at it. I can swing away, but with our power hitters, I want to get on and let them hit me around.”
Smart move since Oswego already has hit 24 home runs this season.
“I love slapping — it challenges me,” Fugitt said. “You can take control of the offense.
“A good time from home to first is normally around 3.0 seconds. I think my best is 2.9.”
