Sophomore second baseman Elena Kvasnicka is dating the son of Beecher softball coach Mark Hayhurst. However, Kvasnicka insists that her relationship with Hayhurst’s son does not give her any special treatment on the team.
On Monday, Beecher defeated Lincoln-Way East 7-0, with Kvasnicka going 2-for-3 with a walk and an RBI. Kvasnicka credited her boyfriend, who plays basketball for Beecher, with helping her improve her golf swing, which she used to hit a single up the middle.
Ava Lorenzatti, Beecher’s sophomore ace, struck out 13 batters and contributed two hits. Lorenzatti has been dominant this season, with a 9-1 record and 132 strikeouts in 62 innings. She is also the team’s second-leading hitter with a .534 average.
Kvasnicka, who is also a starter on the basketball team, is hitting .667 with eight doubles, two triples, and 19 RBIs for the Bobcats. She said that she tries to eliminate pressure by thinking about her future in volleyball.
Beecher coach Mark Hayhurst praised Kvasnicka’s defense, saying that she is a “brick wall at second”. Kvasnicka’s teammate, senior catcher Grace Tiltges, agreed, saying that Kvasnicka’s fielding is “great to see”.
Lorenzatti said that Kvasnicka has a “really good mindset” and that she “never seems afraid of what could happen”. Lorenzatti also noted that Kvasnicka has developed as a hitter this season, with more power and a higher exit velocity.
Beecher has a 17-1 record this season and is ranked among the top teams in Class 2A. The Bobcats are looking to build on their success from last season, when they finished second in the state tournament.
