Naperville Central junior Riley Silvers can play a number of positions in softball — and she does.
But she’s most at home behind the plate.
“That was the first position I tried out,” Silvers said. “Something just clicked, and I stuck with it.
“I love it because I’m so involved and I can really lift up my teammates when they need me the most. I make sure I know what’s going on, and if a ball comes to me, I know where to tell my teammates to go, and I know where to go with the ball. And I like being prepared.”
But Silvers, who batted .314 and was named All-DuPage Valley Conference as a freshman, wasn’t prepared for what happened December 12, 2022, when she suffered a torn ACL while playing in a junior varsity basketball game.
The injury wiped out Silvers’ sophomore softball season.
“It was not easy at all,” she said. “I was at physical therapy for three to four times a week, and then I would lift weights and continue to train and get healthy, just build my strength along with making sure my knee was healed.
“It was definitely a mental battle at first. But then as things progressed, it got a lot easier to deal with.”
Silvers is back and better than ever, and it’s opponents who are having a hard time dealing with her. She’s hitting .524 out of the leadoff spot with eight home runs, 18 doubles, three triples and 46 runs scored.
Naperville Central coach Andy Nussbaum calls Silvers the best catcher the Redhawks have had since 2017 graduate Abigail Place, who is an assistant at Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Silvers and junior first baseman Jamie Saran, who is hitting .500 with 46 RBIs, are a dangerous combination at the top of the lineup.
“You talk about five-tool players,” Nussbaum said. “Riley leads our team in home runs. She leads our team in batting average. The only reason she doesn’t lead our team in RBIs is because Jamie bats behind her and hits her in all the time.”
Silvers had another good day at the plate on Monday, going 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored in the Redhawks’ 8-7 conference win against visiting Naperville North in Naperville. But she also showcased her defensive skills, cutting off a throw to the plate and throwing a runner out at second to end the top of the sixth.
“She’s a really great catcher,” Naperville Central freshman pitcher Avery Miller said. “She has a cannon, and she frames the ball very well. She’s wonderful. I love working with her.”
Silvers and Miller worked together well Monday. Silvers calmed Miller down after a pair of errors by the Redhawks (15-12, 9-4) helped the Huskies (10-16, 4-8) take a 2-0 lead in the first inning.
Miller lasted into the sixth inning and picked up the win, allowing two earned runs, 11 hits and two walks while striking out five.
“Playing up with (Silvers) has helped me develop as a player — (taught) mental toughness to get through innings because I think before I was very down on myself,” Miller said. “But I’m starting to have more confidence.”
Nussbaum has confidence in Silvers, who has also played at third base, at shortstop and in the outfield.
“She’s the best catcher that I’ve seen all year, and then she’s great in the field,” Nussbaum said. “She’s really versatile, so at the collegiate level she’ll be able to play in the outfield. She might be the best outfielder we have.”
While Silvers’ physical skills are impressive, her intangibles have been equally important for the Redhawks, who have won seven of their past eight games overall and six straight in the DVC. They can capture their first conference championship since 2015 if they win their last two games.
While junior Shea Meech, who got the save on Monday, is the team’s ace, Miller has gone 5-0 in the past 15 days, an indication of Silvers’ influence.
What is the key to being a good catcher?
“It is just picking up your teammates whenever they need it,” Silvers said. “Leadership and taking control is also a very big aspect.”
Though her injury was a setback, Silvers said she wants to play in college and that her recruiting is beginning to pick up. Nussbaum is just glad to have her on the roster for one more season.
“She’s great to have on the team,” Nussbaum said. “She’s a great kid.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.
