Does Bartlett coach Jim Wolfsmith ever experience double trouble?
Not on your life.
Although after four years, Wolfsmith still does an occasional double take when looking to differentiate between two of his players — senior identical twins Grace and Julia Wilkens.
“I may try to figure out if they’re wearing different jackets,” Wolfsmith said. “Or if we’re in uniform, check their jersey numbers.”
Grace Wilkens, sporting No. 5, can usually be found patrolling center field for the Hawks. Julia, wearing No. 10, is usually in right field, even though both are capable of playing multiple positions.
Grace, in fact, is the team’s No. 2 pitcher.
Complicating things even more for Wolfsmith?
He also has a set of fraternal twins — seniors Olivia and Lauren Liguori — on his team. They wear Nos. 1 and 2, respectively.
Olivia usually catches and Lauren typically plays second base, but both can play multiple positions, too.
Bartlett’s Grace Wilkens (5) checks a strike call with the umpire against Streamwood during an Upstate Eight Conference game in Bartlett on Tuesday, April 16, 2024. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)
All four were at their usual posts Tuesday when Bartlett overwhelmed Streamwood 16-0 in an Upstate Eight Conference game highlighted by Olivia Liguori’s sixth home run of the season.
It was an inside-the-park shot on a drive over the head of the right fielder as Bartlett (10-5, 4-1) rolled past the Sabres (0-6, 0-5) in a game shortened by rain.
Olivia Liguori, who had 16 home runs and 60 RBIs last season, is the power hitter of the group. The other three are lefty slappers but have developed over the years and can swing away as well.
Wolfsmith also is the varsity boys basketball coach for the Hawks.
“I coached for more than 20 years and never coached a set of twins,” Wolfsmith said. “Now, I have two in softball, and this year, I also had twins in basketball.”
Colin and Keegan Taylor, 6-foot-4 juniors, played for him this past winter.
“It’s difficult, I’m sure, because we’re like exactly the same person,” Julia Wilkens said of her twin.
Have they ever tried to confuse the affable Wolfsmith or their other teachers?
“No,” Julia said with a laugh. “We don’t like to get in trouble, so that’s probably not a good idea.”
Even better for Wolfsmith, all four of the twin sisters are standouts who will play in college.
Bartlett’s Olivia Liguori (1) throws the ball back to pitcher after a strike in the second inning of an Upstate Eight Conference game in Bartlett on Tuesday, April 16, 2024. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)
Olivia and Lauren Liguori have committed to NCAA Division II Hillsdale in Michigan. Grace and Julia Wilkens plan to commit soon to an NCAA Division III program in the area.
Both sets of twins wanted to stay together.
“It’s been a lot of fun, playing with my best friend,” Julia said. “The Liguoris have become great, close friends, too. We didn’t know them until we met at softball tryouts (freshman year).”
The twins take four of the top five spots in the team’s batting order this season.
Lauren Liguori leads off, followed by junior Christina Stankus, the team’s ace pitcher. Olivia Liguori bats third, followed by Grace and Julia Wilkens.
Last season, all four hit .421 or better. This season, their batting averages range from .359 to .512.
“They have tremendous family support, are great in the classroom and hallways and the kind of kids you want the young players on your team to emulate,” Wolfsmith said.
Grace and Julia Wilkens play travel ball with the Wasco Diamonds. Olivia and Lauren Liguori play with the Chicago Cheetahs.
After Tuesday’s shortened game, Olivia and Lauren Liguori went to a nearby dome, which their travel program uses, to get in some work in the batting cages.
Bartlett’s Lauren Liguori (2) looks for a pitch against Streamwood during the first inning of an Upstate Eight Conference game in Bartlett on Tuesday, April 16, 2024. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)
“The pitching was fairly slow and we wanted to speed up our bats with a tough game against West Chicago and Glenbard East later this week,” Lauren said.
“It’s what I love about all four of them,” Wolfsmith said. “They’re just softball players.
“They’re blessed with a unique connection to each other and push each other, but they’ve done a lot to contribute to the culture our team has had the last couple years. Every one is an excellent person.”
Noting their versatility, Wolfsmith said he would love to start the four of them across the infield for one game — at first base, second base, shortstop and third base.
Senior day is approaching.
“I’m trying to find a way to keep them another year,” Wolfsmith said. “But they’re ready to move on.”
