Grayslake Central junior shortstop Emma Andrews is enjoying herself on the softball field.
Her father, Christian Andrews, is a police sergeant in Grayslake, and her mother, Heather Andrews, recently retired from the force. They taught Emma Andrews the importance of not only working hard but also having fun.
“She’s a goof,” Christian Andrews said. “She lightens the mood sometimes. (Police officers) always say, ‘No one is going to invite us to a barbeque with the squad car.’ So in our profession, if you don’t have a sense of humor, you are not going to survive.”
Emma Andrews has been feasting on the offerings from opposing pitchers this season and has become one of the best players in the Northern Lake County Conference. She has a team-high .457 batting average with seven home runs, a 1.488 OPS, 16 RBIs, three steals and a team-high 22 runs scored for the Rams (8-7, 3-3).
She has hit safely in 12 of her 14 games and recorded six of her home runs during an eight-game hitting streak.
“Emma has taken a huge step this year,” Grayslake Central coach Jim Plaza said. “She’s just a competitor. She’s one of the toughest kids I’ve met. She just battles.”
Plaza said he noticed Andrews was not a typical player when she tried out for the team during her freshman year.
“She could not have had a more impressive tryout,” Plaza said. “The ball was jumping off her bat and just sounded completely different coming off her bat. She has one of the strongest arms I’ve ever seen in our program. She was so smooth at shortstop.
“She was so comfortable and ready to be on the varsity.”
Andrews not only made the varsity team as a freshman but also earned a starting spot. She had a slow start, however, and finished with a .255 batting average. She said she let pressure affect her performance but has learned since then to relax and let the game come to her, partly as a result of advice from her parents. She hit .436 with four home runs and 18 RBIs last season.
“I’ve learned from my parents to keep my head up and be a good kid and to go for my goals,” she said.
Before the Rams’ opener this season, Plaza moved Andrews, a right-handed hitter, from fourth to second in the batting order, right behind leadoff hitter Allyson Struck. Plaza wanted to find a way to take advantage of Andrews’ skills and protect other sluggers like Eliza Piggott, Kate Davies and Annie Wolff.
“Emma can hit for power, and she focused on her speed training in the offseason,” Plaza said. “She’s the perfect No. 2 hitter. She’s been huge for us.”
The Rams’ powerful lineup was evident during their 5-3 victory against 2023 Class 3A state runner-up Antioch on April 9. Andrews belted a game-winning three-run homer to cap a stunning comeback against the Sequoits, who were ranked No. 9 in the country at the time.
“That game was absolutely amazing and fun,” Andrews said. “I love batting second because I usually get on base and can give opportunities for my teammates to drive in runs or advance runners.”
Andrews, who credits former teammate Rachel Smigielski for mentoring her during her freshman season, is on an upward path in her career.
“I want to play in college,” Andrews said. “My plan as of right now is to work and try to get the opportunity to play at the highest level.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.
