Senior second baseman Alexis Richter has learned a lot about playing softball from her three older sisters. But her middle sister, Amber, also made an impact with her demeanor for Oak Forest.
No one will ever accuse Alexis of showboating.
“When Amber would hit a home run, she was always composed,” Richter said. “Just her attitude of being calm rather than over-celebrating, I tried to pick that up a little bit from her.”
Richter’s grand slam Tuesday against Tinley Park ended with plenty of screaming and high-fives at home plate. But on the trip around the bases, it was head down, business as usual.
It sealed the deal for the Bengals, who prevailed 7-3 over the Titans in a South Suburban Blue game in Oak Forest.
Richter, a Governors State commit, added an RBI single for Oak Forest (13-8, 10-2). Hailee Morin went 4-for-4 and also struck out 12. Sarah Aggen hit a home run for Tinley Park (10-10, 8-4).
Richter came to the plate in the top of the sixth with one out and the score tied 2-2. It can be said that the home run, deep over the fence in right-center, was heaven sent.
“Me and my dear friends Kamryn (Castillo) and Nadia (Andrysiak), we have a little thing every time before I go up,” Richter said. “Nadia touches my bat and me and Kam pray.”
When Richter hit the grand slam, it was certainly a blessing for Morin. The junior right-hander finally had some breathing room.
“Yes, I felt really good about that,” Morin said, smiling. “When she went up to bat, I definitely knew something good was going to happen. And then it happened, and I literally was jumping for joy.
“I was so happy.”
Richter also made Morin’s day brighter in the bottom of the sixth. Tinley Park had the bases loaded and the tying run at the plate when she handled a tricky bouncer for the final out.
“It’s amazing playing with Alexis,” Richter said. “She comes up to me all the time in the circle. She gives me high-fives and hypes me up. And she’s good at keeping her attitude up, that’s for sure.”
For the season, Richter is batting .354 with 12 runs, three homers and 15 RBIs. Oak Forest coach Nick Fuentes bats her No. 3 in the order for a very good reason.
“She’s been a tough out all season,” Fuentes said. ‘She’s had some ups and downs, so this was huge for her. She has all the skills. And every day, the things she says keeps the team loose and on their toes. She’s a wild card in the dugout — in a good way.”
Alexis is the last of four softball sisters. Amanda graduated from Evergreen Park in 2017, Amber from Oak Forest in 2022 and Ashley, also from Oak Forest, in 2024.
The littlest sister, to say the least, was destined for success.
“I grew up going to all of my sisters’ games and my two brothers played baseball, too,” Richter said. “Every single weekend I was at fields watching them.
“And honestly, my dad (Ray), he really got me going. I started when I was 3 and just literally every single day we were out doing stuff. And my mom (Deb) was a big contributor, too. She was always there for me, during the ups and downs.”
Amber wasn’t the only one who taught Alexis about being a modest hero.
“My dad was always the cool, collected parent,” Richter said. “He never sat with the other parents. He would always sit quietly down the line, watching every single game with my mom.”
The last high school cheers are here.
Tony Baranek is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
