What does Kaneland freshman Lillyana Crawford like the most about being a catcher? ‘I get to show off the bruises.’

Freshman Lillyana Crawford is catching on behind the plate for Kaneland.

Two games into her varsity career, Crawford looks like an impact player according to coach Mike Kuefler, and he should know.

A suburban catching guru who has tutored individuals at the position for 34-plus years, Kuefler has returned this season for his second stint as head coach of the Knights.

“She comes to me for private catching lessons and she’s just grown tremendously,” Kuefler said of Crawford. “I’m super comfortable with the kid, and she’s one of many on our team we can put at any number of spots on the field.”

With only 12 girls on the roster, that versatility could be much needed.

Crawford’s work at the plate and behind it Monday afternoon was impressive during a 14-4 nonconference win over Burlington Central in Maple Park.

She had three hits — a two-run single to center in the first inning and infield singles later in the game on line drives off the pitcher’s leg — in pacing a 12-hit attack for host Kaneland (2-0).

“She hit that poor pitcher twice,” Kuefler said.

Crawford also caught the Knights’ opener last week, a 5-4 win over Hampshire, but was held hitless.

The Knights had four doubles Monday, including two in the sixth by sophomore designated player Maddie Anderson and one apiece from junior outfielder Brynn Woods and junior third baseman Natalie Naab. Woods finished with three RBIs. Anderson, Naab and Crawford each had two.

The 5-foot-7 Crawford was even better on defense, nailing runners trying to steal second base in the third and fourth innings with a pair of pinpoint throws from her knees.

Junior Ellie Peck (1-0), who started and earned the pitching win, praised her batterymate.

“It’s nice to have our catchers making plays like that,” Peck said of Crawford. “It makes it that much more exciting. It was freezing cold out there but we kept scoring.

“I told them, ‘You guys keep going.’ I was having fun.”

Kuefler had fun watching Crawford come up with the big defensively plays.

“She worked from the dirt on both those throws,” Kuefler said. “She does really well.

“Historically, I haven’t had any kids (catching) that have been as tall as her. She’s starting to figure out her length and what she can do with that length, generating some energy.”

Mention of the throws brought a smile to the face of Crawford, who started playing softball at age 5 and began catching soon after.

“It was the position I got put into because none of the other girls wanted to go behind the plate and catch balls that were flying at them,” Crawford said. “I went there and bounced around, pitching, playing outfield and a little infield. But I really love catching and that’s where I ended up.”

Her mother, Kristyn, is one of Kuefler’s varsity assistant coaches. They go back to 2010 when Kuefler joined the program as a varsity assistant and Kristyn was already on staff, coaching at the freshman and JV levels.

Joining the staff this spring is Joe Spitzzeri, who retired as Waubonsee Community College’s head coach last spring.

“Coach Crawford was my first conversation upon coming back and then Joe comes out of the woods,” Kuefler said. “He’s been tremendous. We’ve got a lot of work to do yet, but the girls understand that and they’re working hard.”

The Knights also have depth behind the plate with Naab and sophomore Ansley Ruh available to catch.

“They’re all going to get some time back there,” Kuefler said.

Crawford, for one, likes the challenge the position offers.

“It honestly pushes me,” Crawford said. “I get to say balls are being thrown at me and I’m blocking them, I’m catching them and I’m even getting hit with them. Then, I get to show off the bruises.”

Topics

'They made history:' Colonel Crawford’s season ends in state semifinals to Marion Local

It was the first time the Eagles made it to the state semifinals. And it likely won't be the last.
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 15
Prized freshman Sarah Strong keeps rolling along, plays major role in UConn’s NCAA opener

STORRS – On Friday, UConn women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma was asked if freshman Sarah Strong might get nervous about playing in her first NCAA Tournament game. Absolutely not, Auriemma said. ...
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Get to know UND freshman forward Sacha Boisvert

Mar. 14—OMAHA, Neb. — UND freshman Sacha Boisvert leads the National Collegiate Hockey Conference in points by a rookie with 28. He's tied as the team's leading scorer and was named one of three ...
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 15
Thomas Tuchel: I will not get political like Gareth Southgate did

Thomas Tuchel says he does not intend to get involved in politics in his role as England’s new head coach.
Yahoo Sports - 4d
What does Maga-land look like? Let me show you America's unbeautiful suburban sprawl | Alexander Hurst

I drove 2,000 miles with a French friend across my home country – and saw the endless nowhere land that is the crucible of Trumpism. In 1941 Dorothy Thompson, an American journalist who reported ...
The Guardian - 6d
'It's hard to compare:' Colonel Crawford's special group gears up for state semifinal

David Sheldon has had a lot of talented teams over the last 20 years. But what makes this one so special?
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14
Crawford airs new ad tying Schimel to Musk in Wisconsin Supreme Court race

Liberal candidate Susan Crawford’s campaign is up with a new ad tying conservative candidate Brad Schimel to Elon Musk in the high-stakes Wisconsin Supreme Court race. “How corrupt is Brad Schimel? ...
The Hill - 6d
Crawford campaign raises over $17M in month leading up to Wisconsin judicial race

Liberal candidate Susan Crawford’s campaign announced on Monday that she had raised over $17 million in the month leading up to the Wisconsin Supreme Court race. The campaign said it had raised ...
The Hill - 1d
Blind date: ‘He said I looked like Kate Moss, then went, “No, wait, Kate Bush – I still fancy her though!”’

Emily, 26, who works in publishing, meets Jack, 25, a caseworker for a Labour MP. What were you hoping for? A fun evening and my first column in the Guardian. Continue reading...
The Guardian - 3d

What does Kaneland freshman Lillyana Crawford like the most about being a catcher? ‘I get to show off the bruises.’

Topics

Related

'They made history:' Colonel Crawford’s season ends in state semifinals to Marion Local

Prized freshman Sarah Strong keeps rolling along, plays major role in UConn’s NCAA opener

Get to know UND freshman forward Sacha Boisvert

Thomas Tuchel: I will not get political like Gareth Southgate did

What does Maga-land look like? Let me show you America's unbeautiful suburban sprawl | Alexander Hurst

'It's hard to compare:' Colonel Crawford's special group gears up for state semifinal

Crawford airs new ad tying Schimel to Musk in Wisconsin Supreme Court race

Crawford campaign raises over $17M in month leading up to Wisconsin judicial race

Blind date: ‘He said I looked like Kate Moss, then went, “No, wait, Kate Bush – I still fancy her though!”’

More from Yahoo Sports

S. Africa take big World Cup lead, but may lose points over Mokoena

Kim Mulkey laments JuJu Watkins injury, calls her 'such a great ambassador of our game'

The Astros brought Cam Smith’s family into the clubhouse to surprise him about making the big-league roster

Bills have big plans for Dalton Kincaid after injury-filled second season

Top 50 people who will impact the 2025 MLB season: Nos. 50-26

More in Sports

Women's Sweet 16 rankings: UConn is No. 1, USC holds tight at No. 4

Picks, predictions, key players for every women's Sweet 16 game

Cal Raleigh contract extension: Mariners locking up star catcher on six-year, $105 million deal, per reports

S. Africa take big World Cup lead, but may lose points over Mokoena

Kim Mulkey laments JuJu Watkins injury, calls her 'such a great ambassador of our game'