Freshman Lillyana Crawford is catching on behind the plate for Kaneland.
Two games into her varsity career, Crawford looks like an impact player according to coach Mike Kuefler, and he should know.
A suburban catching guru who has tutored individuals at the position for 34-plus years, Kuefler has returned this season for his second stint as head coach of the Knights.
“She comes to me for private catching lessons and she’s just grown tremendously,” Kuefler said of Crawford. “I’m super comfortable with the kid, and she’s one of many on our team we can put at any number of spots on the field.”
With only 12 girls on the roster, that versatility could be much needed.
Crawford’s work at the plate and behind it Monday afternoon was impressive during a 14-4 nonconference win over Burlington Central in Maple Park.
She had three hits — a two-run single to center in the first inning and infield singles later in the game on line drives off the pitcher’s leg — in pacing a 12-hit attack for host Kaneland (2-0).
“She hit that poor pitcher twice,” Kuefler said.
Crawford also caught the Knights’ opener last week, a 5-4 win over Hampshire, but was held hitless.
The Knights had four doubles Monday, including two in the sixth by sophomore designated player Maddie Anderson and one apiece from junior outfielder Brynn Woods and junior third baseman Natalie Naab. Woods finished with three RBIs. Anderson, Naab and Crawford each had two.
The 5-foot-7 Crawford was even better on defense, nailing runners trying to steal second base in the third and fourth innings with a pair of pinpoint throws from her knees.
Junior Ellie Peck (1-0), who started and earned the pitching win, praised her batterymate.
“It’s nice to have our catchers making plays like that,” Peck said of Crawford. “It makes it that much more exciting. It was freezing cold out there but we kept scoring.
“I told them, ‘You guys keep going.’ I was having fun.”
Kuefler had fun watching Crawford come up with the big defensively plays.
“She worked from the dirt on both those throws,” Kuefler said. “She does really well.
“Historically, I haven’t had any kids (catching) that have been as tall as her. She’s starting to figure out her length and what she can do with that length, generating some energy.”
Mention of the throws brought a smile to the face of Crawford, who started playing softball at age 5 and began catching soon after.
“It was the position I got put into because none of the other girls wanted to go behind the plate and catch balls that were flying at them,” Crawford said. “I went there and bounced around, pitching, playing outfield and a little infield. But I really love catching and that’s where I ended up.”
Her mother, Kristyn, is one of Kuefler’s varsity assistant coaches. They go back to 2010 when Kuefler joined the program as a varsity assistant and Kristyn was already on staff, coaching at the freshman and JV levels.
Joining the staff this spring is Joe Spitzzeri, who retired as Waubonsee Community College’s head coach last spring.
“Coach Crawford was my first conversation upon coming back and then Joe comes out of the woods,” Kuefler said. “He’s been tremendous. We’ve got a lot of work to do yet, but the girls understand that and they’re working hard.”
The Knights also have depth behind the plate with Naab and sophomore Ansley Ruh available to catch.
“They’re all going to get some time back there,” Kuefler said.
Crawford, for one, likes the challenge the position offers.
“It honestly pushes me,” Crawford said. “I get to say balls are being thrown at me and I’m blocking them, I’m catching them and I’m even getting hit with them. Then, I get to show off the bruises.”
