Senior catcher Abby LaPlant has a pretty daunting task in front of her this season for Andrew.
She’s the follow-up act to not one but two consecutive legendary players behind the plate.
First it was Keke Tholl, who went on to star at Michigan. Then it was Madison Vrastil, who’s now a standout freshman at Valparaiso.
She’ll be the first to say, however, that playing “can you top this” isn’t on her agenda.
“Honestly, I do want to live up to what they’ve done,” she said. “But you know, when I’m out there, I’m not putting a lot of pressure on myself. I just know I have to trust in what they’ve taught me.”
LaPlant was pretty formidable in her own right Tuesday afternoon for the host Thunderbolts during a 9-0 nonconference victory over Richards in Tinley Park.
Penn commit Ana Cisek was 3-for-3 with three RBIs and LaPlant went 2-for-3 for Andrew (5-1). Clare Hester added three hits and five RBIs and combined with Bella Pauls to pitch a no-hitter.
Abigail Lichter reached base twice for Richards (2-4).
But it was LaPlant, a North Central College recruit, who made a major impact from the outset.
Richards’ Skylar Egan was on first base with one out in the top of the first inning and tried to steal but was erased by LaPlant’s perfect throw to Texas-bound senior shortstop MaTaia Lawson.
“I was surprised,” LaPlant said, laughing. “It was cold and my hands were numb. I was really praying that the throw would get there.”
Lawson wasn’t worried, though.
“Her throws are consistent,” Lawson said. “They aren’t, like, going all over the place. I have trust in her, and all she has to do is trust me to get there.”
The Thunderbolts led 2-0 in the bottom of the first when LaPlant, batting seventh in the order, sent a scorcher down the left field line for a two-run double.
LaPlant’s two hits raised her batting average to .500. It’s a vast improvement on last spring’s .243.
“I have a lot more confidence this year,” LaPlant said. “The whole team is very supportive of me, so it gives me the confidence at bat, where I don’t really have to think, just swing.”
Patience has paid for LaPlant in her ambition to be a varsity anchor behind the plate.
She came to Andrew as a natural catcher and played the position on the JV team. But there would be no replacing Vrastil for the next two seasons.
“I knew it was going to be a rough road, obviously, with ‘V’ being back there,” LaPlant said. “But ‘V’ was teaching me the entire time. We’d always be working, especially at practice.
“She’d always pull me aside to help me.”
During her junior season, however, LaPlant was given a chance to start at first base. Her older brother, Nathan, provided some guidance.
“I always grew up, I guess, as my brother’s shadow,” LaPlant said. “His entire growing up experience, he was always at first.
“When coach (Alyssa Gunther) told me they were looking at me for first base, I told Nathan, ‘We need to go to a field. You need to teach me how to scoop the ball.’ He really helped me a lot.”
Gunther’s decision turned into gold.
“It was super fun to watch,” Gunther said. “We always talk about trusting the process and owning your role. Last season, her role was different and she did a great job at it.
“Being able to perform for us, especially while having to wait her turn to start at catcher, we’re really proud of her for the work she put in. Now, she’s doing a great job handling our pitchers.”
Hester, for one, will say amen to that.
“Oh, Abby is a very supportive catcher,” Hester said. “We’ve actually been playing together since 8U. We have a lot of history and a good relationship. We push each other to be our best.”
Tony Baranek is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
