Andrew sophomore Maddie Murray has a new backstop buddy.
He’s a rubber chicken. His name is Gilbert. He makes noise. And he made his debut in her uniform’s back pocket for Tuesday’s playoff opener against Shepard.
“He’s our good luck charm for the playoffs,” Murray said, laughing. “I have to have him on me at all times. He’s pretty secure in there.”
Murray gave Gilbert plenty to squeak about — and her teammates plenty to scream about — in the Thunderbolts’ 11-1 win in six innings in a Class 4A Lincoln-Way East Regional semifinal game in Frankfort.
Murray went 3-for-3 with a home run and five RBIs for Andrew (13-17). Ana Cisek contributed three hits, including a pair of doubles. Zahria Hatcher added a home run and PJ Gorajski struck out six for the pitching win.
Carly Edmiston, Izzy Belsky, Emma Gelecke, Juliann Radz and Emrie Peterson each had hits for Shepard (14-14). Meghan Potenza contributed an RBI.
The state softball playoffs are a new experience for Murray. She didn’t show any rookie jitters for the Thunderbolts, who will play at 4:30 p.m. Friday for the regional title against Lincoln-Way East (25-6), which defeated T.F. South 19-0 in the other semifinal.
In the bottom of the first inning Tuesday, Murray beat out an infield single. In the third, she laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt. In the fourth, with Andrew up just 3-1, she hit a towering three-run homer over the fence in left. In the sixth, she hit a two-run double.
She was certainly no chicken with the bat.
“I was really excited for this,” Murray said. “It’s really fun. I like the energy and the super hype. We have a great team and a great group of girls. I knew that they were going to bring the energy.
“I was a little nervous but not too worried. On that home run, I wanted to make sure I was ready on the first pitch. And then it came, so I swung. It was such a great feeling to step on home plate and everyone was hitting my helmet and screaming.”
Murray also brought the defense, making one of the plays of the game on a pop-up behind home plate. She spun around and was facing the fence when she made the catch.
“It was really high up and I was nervous I was going to drop it,” Murray said. “The high ones are a little hard to track. I just made sure to get under it.”
Cisek, a top defensive shortstop, was totally impressed.
“Absolutely, she’s a dog back there,” Cisek said. “She works hard day in and day out, and it’s really nice to see. When she came up here, she was ready to work and it’s showing on the field.
“She’s performing.”
For the season, Murray is batting .340 with 12 doubles, two home runs and 20 RBIs. She has been stellar behind the plate, making just two errors.
“I love being on the field and I love catching,” Murray said. “It’s my favorite thing to do. Being involved in every play is super fun.”
Andrew coach Alyssa Gunther bats Murray out of the third spot in the order. She’s had the faith in Murray for some time.
“We’ve always been blessed with excellent catchers that have come through Andrew High School,” Gunther said. “We knew when we saw her (before) sophomore year, she was a ball of energy.
“Even in summer camps, everything that she attended even before she got to Andrew, she had such a positive attitude. She was just happy-go-lucky in everything she did. It was just amazing.”
The backstop — and Gilbert — are more than secure.
Tony Baranek is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
