Layla Peters wasn’t exactly the new kid in town last summer when her family moved to Evergreen Park.
She had lived there before.
But in the spring, when she came to Marist’s softball tryouts, she was a bit of a mystery to her new teammates — including senior shortstop Caroline O’Brien.
“I just knew her as Cam’s cousin from Texas,” O’Brien said, referring to senior outfielder Camryn Lyons. “But once I saw her step on the field, it was pretty obvious what she could do.”
Peters secured a starting spot at first base. She put her bat on display Monday during a 9-4 East Suburban Catholic Conference victory over host Joliet Catholic.
Cousin Cam was the hitting star for the RedHawks (12-1, 1-0) with three hits and four RBIs. Peters and O’Brien each had two hits and an RBI. Gianna Hillegonds earned the pitching win.
Addison Fanter hit a home run for Joliet Catholic (7-5, 1-2). Wrigley Fanter and Nina Sebahar each added doubles.
Peters’ second hit, an RBI single in the fifth inning, followed a curious conversation and confidence boost during a timeout with Marist coach Colleen Phelan.
Marist’s Layla Peters (20) fouls off a ball against Joliet Catholic during an East Suburban Catholic Conference game in Joliet on Monday, April 15, 2024. (Trent Sprague / Daily Southtown)
“We had runners on first and second with one out,” Phelan said. “I asked her, ‘How you feeling? You got confidence? Want to bunt? Want to hit?’
“She said, ‘I think I’ll bunt.’ I said, ‘No, you’re hitting. Let’s smoke it.’”
Peters laced a drive down the right-field line that put the RedHawks ahead 4-2.
The freshman responded.
“The last game, I just hadn’t been feeling as confident up to bat,” Peters said. “And in my at-bats before that, I got one hit but it was only a bloop. I just wanted to do what was best for the team.
“I thought the best thing for the team would be bunting. But coach Phelan had faith in me that I would get a hit. It turned out good for both of us.”
The hit also raised Peters’ average to .307.
“Now that feels good,” Peters said, smiling. “I mean, I’ve been struggling the last couple of games, so yeah, it feels good to get my average over .300.”
Marist’s Gianna Hillegonds (8) throws a pitch against Joliet Catholic during an East Suburban Catholic Conference game in Joliet on Monday, April 15, 2024. (Trent Sprague / Daily Southtown)
Due to a job change for her father, Peters moved to Texas for her final two years of grade school.
“They have very high-quality softball down there,” Peters said. “There were huge rosters. I had like 21 girls on my team. It was good, super fun.”
Back home, cousin Cam was keeping track.
“I was sad,” Lyons said. “Our parents are really close, so me and Layla stayed in contact. I was so happy when I found out she was moving back.
“I was hoping she’d make varsity. When I saw her play for the first time, I was not surprised when she did. Layla was always very athletic since she was little. I was glad we got to play together.”
It was quite the celebration.
“Right when she made it, we actually started screaming in the car,” Lyons said. “That’s when I knew I’d start driving her to school and back home every day.”
Marist’s Layla Peters (20) catches a ball in the infield against Joliet Catholic during an East Suburban Catholic Conference game in Joliet on Monday, April 15, 2024. (Trent Sprague / Daily Southtown)
Peters is one of five freshmen on the varsity. A freshman starting on any varsity is a pretty daunting challenge.
To do it on a defending state championship team?
“Sure, I feel a lot of pressure,” Peters said. “Pressure is something we fight with. But when I go up to bat, I just think, ‘See ball, hit ball.’”
And Phelan played a hunch that came up aces.
“Obviously, with her living down in Texas, all I knew about her was what I heard about her,” Phelan said. “And we were excited about what we heard.
“Layla is just a hard-nosed, old-school ballplayer who is an absolute pleasure to be around. She always wants to get better and do what’s best for the team. It’s what we all love about her. She rocks.”
Tony Baranek is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
