Grayslake North sophomore infielder Brena Dalton recalls playing a lot of hockey when she was younger.
But gave up the sport when she was 10 years old.
“My family loves hockey,” Dalton said. “It taught me how to be aggressive. My family wants me to play again to be more aggressive in softball.”
Opposing pitchers probably don’t want to imagine that possibility. Through 14 games this season, Dalton has a 1.143 slugging percentage and a 1.898 OPS. She’s batting .657 with three doubles, four triples, two home runs and 12 RBIs, and she has already scored 22 runs for the Knights (9-5, 2-2).
Dalton was impressive as a freshman, but she’s playing at a different level this season.
“She is more explosive and patient at the plate,” Grayslake North coach Amanda Rodriguez said. “She’s watching more pitches. She is always mentally and physically focused and ready. She has a calm demeanor, which helps keep the team calm.”
Dalton got her first start in the second game of last season and immediately began spraying the ball all over the field. She batted .495 with nine doubles, five triples, two home runs, 38 RBIs, 35 runs scored and 12 stolen bases, leading the team in most categories, and she was named All-Northern Lake Country Conference.
“Her maturity last year was beyond her years,” Rodriguez said. “Even though she’s young, she would make a mistake and collect herself, take a deep breath and play. Sometimes she can be too hard on herself. She struggles with that. But she thrives in big situations.”
That’s what impresses Grayslake North senior shortstop/third baseman Jane Pritchard.
“Brena is athletically advanced, but also her mental game is very strong,” Pritchard said. “She never lets any hiccup affect her game. Her ability to persist through anything and keep a positive head on at all times is impressive.”
Dalton, who hit a walk-off home run against Vernon Hills on April 13, has been outstanding defensively too. Switching between shortstop and third base, she has made just one error this season.
Dalton played third base for the first time last year.
“It was a journey to learn third because it’s pretty different than middle infield with the reaction time and covering more space,” she said. “I caught on quickly, but it was kind of scary. In my freshman year, I just tried to stay confident and have fun.”
After the season, Dalton focused on that new challenge.
“I really upped my game in the offseason with fielding a lot more,” she said. “I think my offense was pretty good, but I needed to work on my defense to be smooth and athletic.”
Dalton is becoming a complete player.
“Her consistency is definitely what makes her stand out,” Pritchard said. “I have never seen someone so consistent on offense and defense. She is a very fundamentally strong player.”
But Dalton still has more to accomplish.
“I’m super excited to see how far softball can take me,” she said. “I want to play softball as long and competitively as possible and see what colleges I can get into.
“Softball has brought me a lot of friends from across the state and from a bunch of high schools. I have a network of friends because of softball. I’m really excited to see what softball can bring me over the next two-plus years.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.
