Burns displays Evergreen swing
A state qualifier in golf, junior also is one of Mustangs’ top hitters
Charley Burns is an excellent representative of Evergreen Park’s athletic program.
In the fall, she was the school’s second-ever female golfer to advance to state.
This spring, she’s one of the top hitters for the softball team.
In between, she has a third sports passion, playing on a club hockey team.
The junior also is an excellent diplomat whenever she’s asked which one is her favorite.
“In the fall, it’s golf,” Burns said, smiling. “In the winter, it’s hockey. In the spring, it’s softball.”
Burns was all softball on Monday, as Evergreen Park beat Shepard 2-0 in a South Suburban Red game.
Lily Strand was the star of the day, striking out 11 and firing a one-hitter for the Mustangs (19-21, 15-2). Strand also had three hits and scored twice.
Mya Granados drove in both runs for Evergreen Park with a sacrifice fly and a double.
Kelly Greene struck out 13 for Shepard (18-4, 13-1).
Burns advanced to the Class 1A state meet in golf by finishing fifth in the regional and the sectional.
“It was fun,” Burns said. “It felt really good because I shot my best to make it to state. I didn’t do the best I could have done at state, but there is next year.”
Burns is a free swinger in softball, but she made her biggest contribution Monday with the golfing equivalent of a putt.
After Strand led off the bottom of the first inning with a sharp single up the middle, Burns reached on a bunt that advanced Strand all the way to third.
“That was nice,” Burns said. “Moving my best friend from first to third on a bunt I felt contributed
a lot.
“I haven’t been contributing really well with my bunting. But that one made the game a different game at the start of the inning.”
Granados followed with a sacrifice fly to center field.
Burns generally hits second in the order, which is a switch from last season, when Evergreen Park coach Michelle Vucsko batted her near the bottom of the order.
“This season we kind of thought, ‘Where do we put her?’ ” Vucsko said. “She has a little power if she needs to drive in runs. But she was just getting on base so much, No. 2 was the best spot to put her.
“Charley is just a competitor.
She’s one of those kids who gets in there and goes for it all the time. To get that bunt down in a huge moment was really great for her.”
Burns went into the game batting .419 with 29 runs and 20 RBIs.
She’s also one of the team leaders in providing positive vibes.
“Charley is such a positive person,” Strand said. “She’ll always be laughing. She’ll always have your back.
“She’s in here to have fun. She’s in here to help. She’s in here to be part of a family with all of us. She’s one of the best people ever.”
Strand was clutch and then some for the Mustangs. She posted at least one strikeout in every inning and pitched out of two big jams.
In the top of the first, Shepard had runners on second and third with two outs, and Strand ended it with a strikeout. In the sixth, Shepard had runners on second and third with one out before Strand got the next two batters on a strikeout and a popout.
It brought a measure of revenge for Strand, who lost to Shepard in their previous meeting, 1-0.
“It was in the last inning, too, the eighth inning,” she said. “That was 100% driving me. We were all texting before the game, saying how bad we wanted it and how excited we were.
“I think if you build up that revenge factor, that excitement, it really gets you going right away. And we did.”