These days, Oak Forest’s Melanie Andrysiak doesn’t quite reflect her nickname.
She no longer colors her hair flaming pink or bright red.
When “Melmo” entered the pitching circle on opening day this spring against Mother McAuley, she actually sported her natural look.
“I wouldn’t call it dirty blonde, but I wouldn’t call it brunette, either,” Andrysiak said. “I’ve just gone from colorful to normal.”
The junior right-hander remains pretty joyous, however, about showing her personality.
“I have an ice cream cone batting grip, and I like to wear big sunglasses and an orange bow,” Andrysiak said. “I still try to have fun.”
Andrysiak was all business March 11 against McAuley, striking out 13 as the Bengals won 9-3.
“It felt really good,” Andrysiak said. “I was really nervous going into it, though. I know that this season I have to set an example for my team — for the freshmen on our team.
“I think I made it through OK.”
Andrysiak’s role for this spring is crystal clear. She’s the staff ace. She’s following up freshman and sophomore seasons filled with ups, downs and a large amount of watching Hailey Wesner.
There were also some eye-opening moments. Wesner, a standout for the Bengals, was sidelined with an injury when Andrysiak made her first big splash as a freshman.
During a 5-1 victory over Stagg, Andrysiak had 10 strikeouts and went 2-for-2 with a home run.
But that’s not the only way she excelled.
In the circle, Andrysiak rocked flaming pink hair. And her teammates were calling her “Melmo.”
The story she told afterward went beyond the numbers.
Andrysiak’s mother, Ninette, has twice survived cancer. As a dedication, Melanie began to color her hair. It was bright red when Oak Forest assistant coach Jeff Kelly’s young daughter saw her and began to call her “Elmo” in honor of the Sesame Street character.
The name “Melmo” caught on. And her story made headlines.
“I was kind of freaking out,” Andrysiak said. “But my whole family was very supportive and the whole team was very supportive. It was fun.”
Too much attention?
At Monday’s practice, senior second baseman Mia Delisi smiled at the mention of the “Melmo” experience.
“Honestly, a bunch of the older girls, we thought it was pretty cool,” Delisi said. “I mean at first, we did see it as, ‘Who has pink hair?’ But it fit her personality.”
Wesner returned that season and took over the main pitching duties. “Melmo” still made a difference, posting a 9-4 record with 90 strikeouts in 65 innings. She also hit .385 with two homers.
The duo were projected to be a powerful one-two punch in 2023, but Andrysiak suffered a concussion right before the season began. She eventually saw a fair share of work and struck out 95 in 61 innings.
But, mostly, she cheered on Wesner.
“Oh, yes, especially because Hailey was a senior last year, I was very supportive of her,” Andrysiak said. “I love her so much. I looked up to her and her ability to really keep it together.”
With Wesner now at St. Xavier, the circle belongs to Andrysiak. She has been mentoring freshman backup Hailee Morin.
Her positivity also rubs off on sophomore teammate Morgan Reczkiewicz. Monday’s indoor practice was a good example.
“Mel always has a ton of energy,” Reczkiewicz said. “I mean, there are certain days like today that we have to be inside. And everyone wants to be on the field and wants warm weather.
“But she’s ready to practice no matter what. Even if she had a bad day at school, you’d never know it. She’s always open and talking to everyone. She has a good mindset on everything.”
Mom, meanwhile, continues to win her battle. She was at the game against McAuley but had to leave early.
No worries.
“She had to take my brother to practice,” Andrysiak said, with a big smile. “She’s feeling a lot better.”
Tony Baranek is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
