GOODMAN’S THEATER
Grand Valley State recruit the star of the show as Richards celebrates Title IX with pregame ceremony: ‘It means everything.’
Senior shortstop MaryJane Goodman learned a lot about Title IX in the buildup to Saturday’s 50-year anniversary celebration at Richards.
“Coach (Julie) Folliard was on a Zoom call with the IHSA and talked about it,” Goodman said. “We made posters at school. I did know there was a title that gave us gender-wise more opportunity and made us equal. But I didn’t know things like President Nixon signed it or that it was 50 years ago.
“I was grateful to learn more. I was like, ‘Wow, I have to make the most of every opportunity I get, with so many people behind me that allowed me to play on this field.’ ”
Goodman ended a classic game against Andrew with the winning RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning.
“It means everything,” Goodman said after the 9-8 victory. “Just to be able to hit on this field. That was my thought, like, ‘You have all of these opportunities.’ I’m so glad to be able to take them and help make such a big game out of it.”
It was a big day overall for Goodman, who also had a double and walked for Richards (9-5). Abby Mallo, another senior, cracked a three-run homer and had two other hits.
Andrew (5-5) celebrated the occasion with a big performance as well. Madison Vrastil reached base four times and Kaidence Bruno and Madison Hanik did three times each.
Before the game, Folliard hosted a short presentation regarding Title IX, the landmark 1972 legislation requiring females be given equal access to educational and athletic opportunities in federally funded colleges and high schools. It resonated.
“Just being on the field, being with the team, made it exciting,” Goodman said. “I mean, the game was exciting to start with, but just to bring the energy and the focus on Title IX and what it has done was great.
“And it was great to celebrate it with a big win.”
Goodman, a Grand Valley State commit, has been a leader for the Bulldogs in anchoring the defense. She’s also batting .466 with six doubles, two triples and one home run.
“MJ is one of the most remarkable humans I know,” Folliard said. “She’s a team player. She works so hard. She always has. To see her now going off to college, earning herself a scholarship to Grand Valley State, I’m super happy. I feel privileged to coach her.”
Mallo, a Saint Louis recruit, plays third base and first base. She’s the other half of the senior leadership duo, hitting .590 with seven doubles, four triples and 23 RBIs.
“Abby even pitched a few innings for us,” Folliard said. “That was a high school first for her. She’s such a great athlete, so she said she’d do her best for us.
“She really is one of the biggest names in the game on the South Side.”
Fun and ferocity: Freshman pitcher Alaina Peetz is very popular with her Lockport teammates.
Her blue winter jacket? Well ... “It’s so not Lockport colors,” Porters coach Marissa Chovanec said. “The kids have a great time with her about it. We finally had a warm day and they were like, ‘Peetz, you can retire the blue jacket.’
“From day one, the kids have really warmed up to her. She has really fit in.”
The right-hander also has done her part to lead the way for Lockport (12-4).
Peetz (8-3) has 100 strikeouts in 77 innings with a 2.27 ERA. On April 21 against Homewood-Flossmoor, she had seven strikeouts in an 11-2 victory.
“When Alaina showed up, I already knew she was a good pitcher,” Chovanec said. “But when we saw her at tryouts, we knew she was what we were going to need at the varsity level.”
In her first assignment, Peetz finished with 15 strikeouts in a 5-0 win over York.
“Her composure from the beginning has just been steady,” Chovanec said. “Bases loaded, she’s got the same demeanor as if there is nobody on base. She’s a rock out there.
“It’s unusual for a freshman to have that kind of presence.”
For the kids: On Sunday, Oak Forest is hosting a charity event at Gingerwood Park to benefit the Lucky Fin Project. The project creates a support network for parents who have children with limb differences.
The event begins at 12:30 p.m. with a softball throw for all ages, followed by a bags tournament, a black-and-gold softball game and a home run derby for kids ages 5-18.