Keep an eye on Yorkville freshman Alyssa Muhlbach.
That’s because the left-handed speedster provides must-see action as she patrols center field and typically bats at the top of the order for the Foxes.
We’re talking about an impact player, something Muhlbach didn’t expect to happen this soon.
“I was very surprised the coaches took the chance on me as a freshman,” Muhlback said of the decision by coach Jory Regnier and assistant Megan Leadbetter to promote her to the varsity. “I did not expect that at all and am very grateful they believed in me.
“On the last night of tryouts, they had a meeting with everyone they thought could potentially move up. I was originally going to be a floater between the JV and varsity, practicing with the varsity but playing with both. I had both uniforms.”
Mulhbach, however, has stuck with the varsity, proving she belongs 15 games into the season for Yorkville (10-5, 2-0). And while she stands only 5-foot-1, Muhlbach has been hard to miss.
A slapper who will also swing away at the plate, she has the second-best batting average among the Foxes’ regulars at .333 with team highs of 18 hits and four home runs.
She’s also tied with senior right fielder Callie Ferko for the team lead with 15 RBIs.
Senior catcher/third baseman Kayla Kersting, an Iowa recruit and four-year varsity starter, didn’t seem too surprised.
“I knew of her because we did some speed and agility classes together,” Kersting said of their work at Go For It Sports Dome in Yorkville. “We’d always compete against each other, so I knew she was pretty fast.
“She’s had a good start, is very social and became acclimated right away. When I came in as a freshman, people took me under their wing, and that’s what we’ve done as a group.”
Being joined on the varsity by utility player Austyn Strike, another freshman, has helped as well.
And the height?
“I think I’m tall and I’m not — I’m only 5-4,” Kersting said. “I’ll go stand by her to make me look taller.”
Kersting and Muhlbach were speaking at an impromptu practice Wednesday after a Southwest Prairie Conference game at Oswego was rescheduled due to weather for Friday, April 16.
Yorkville started slow against its usual strong nonconference schedule, losing four of its first six games before winning four straight without a loss on a spring trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
That’s where Muhlbach took off, hitting three inside-the-part homers and a triple while driving in eight runs. The Foxes have extended that run to eight wins in their last nine games.
Muhlbach traces her beginnings in softball to age 6. She plays travel softball for the Beverly Bandits as well as flag football for Yorkville, but has left little doubt she belongs on this level.
“She’s so dynamic,” Regnier said of Muhlbach. “That’s what makes her really fun to watch. You just don’t know what she’s going to do. Some of our fans have said that.”
Muhlbach pointed out that her older sister, whose playing career was cut short by a knee injury, and the influence of her father, John, have been huge in her development.
“I always loved going to my sister’s games and being in the dugout all the time,” Muhlbach said. “I just loved it from an early age.”
Her father’s move to have her start strength-and-conditioning training at a young age has paid off.
“In travel, I slap and have always gone back and forth, depending on the defense,” Muhlbach said. “If they’re back, I slap — up, I hit.”
Regnier gives her the same freedom.
“She can bunt for a hit, slap, power slap, push bunt it,” Regnier said. “She can hit over the fence or hit an inside-the park home run. She’s fast on the bases, so that fun to watch.
“It’s really hard to plan for her as a defense. Plus, she’s a very mature softball player and kid in general.”
