Sophomore outfielder Layla Termunde definitely has the skills to one day become the heartbeat of Marist’s offense.
She’s already the heartbeat of the school’s marching band as the snare drummer.
“I’ve been doing band since I was in fifth grade,” Termunde said. “When I came to Marist, I wanted to be in their band, too. I’ve had a great time doing it.”
Termunde stayed true to her beat with three hits Tuesday afternoon in taking the host RedHawks to a 3-0 nonconference win over Lincoln-Way East in Mount Greenwood.
Michigan recruit Lexi Kryos had the big blow with a two-run homer for Marist (4-0). Saint Louis commit Ellie Holmstrom added three hits, while Notre Dame recruit Layla Peters produced an RBI double. Wisconsin commit Soleil Tate threw a one-hitter while striking out eight.
Louisville recruit Mackenzie Bacha came up with the lone hit for Lincoln-Way East (3-1).
Termunde, meanwhile, does a lot of walking with the band. She also does a lot of driving to get to Marist. She’s a resident of Dyer, Indiana.
“I think it was really my dad,” Termunde said. “He wanted me to come to some camps because they were winning a lot of championships. When I did, I really liked it.
“When I got here I didn’t really know anybody, but this was a welcoming place, so I made a lot of friends. I carpooled with Maddie Rogers in the beginning, so she was probably the first one.”
Termunde, though, was far from a given when Marist coach Colleen Phelan met her.
“I didn’t really know her,” Phelan said. ” I just saw she was coming to our camps, but then a lot of kids come to our camps. I just kind of look at their address and think, ‘Maybe they might come and maybe they might not.’
“I always thought Layla was one who was just coming for extra work. Then she shadowed at Marist and I was like, ‘Oh, she’s interested. I love it.’ We were really excited when she decided to come because we knew what a high-caliber softball player she was.”
It took Termunde a bit to crack the starting lineup as a freshman, but once she did, she made a big difference as the RedHawks advanced to a Class 4A supersectional.
She batted .392 for the season with five doubles, 21 runs and 11 RBIs.
“She was so solid,” Holmstrom said. “I mean, as a freshman, you’re going to come in nervous and intimidated. But I saw her put in the work day in and day out. I couldn’t be more proud of her.
“She is one of the hardest workers I know, and it’s already showing this season.”
Termunde put it all on display against Lincoln-Way East.
On defense, she was 2-for-2 in making the plays on fly balls to right field. She delivered the game-ending two-out catch in the top of the seventh to strand a baserunner.
“I really love how far she has come in the outfield,” Phelan said. “Her arm is stronger, she’s getting a better break on the ball and she’s covering more ground.”
On offense, Termunde started by lining two sharp opposite-field singles to right. She used her speed to steal a base and later beat out a chopper down the third base line for another single.
“I’m just always trying to be ready for that next at bat,” Termunde said. “If something doesn’t go my way, I try to bounce back and do anything I can to get on base.”
Last season, she hit out of the ninth spot. On Tuesday, she hit seventh. Don’t stop now, Layla.
“She’s moving up,” Phelan said, smiling. “She’ll keep moving up.”
Tony Baranek is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
