CHATHAM — Chatham Glenwood senior Taryn Griffith likes to stay busy.
Even before high school she participated in both softball and gymnastics after class. She is channeling all her energy toward softball these days, at least for now.
“Now I feel like I have all of the time in the world,” Griffith said following a 6-1 Central State Eight Conference win over Springfield High.
Charismatic leader
Griffiththanked gymnastics forhelping her become the dexterous catcher she is today.
Family lore has it that she flipped out of the crib when she was 2 years old. She performed gymnastics for more than 12 years thereafter with a repertoire that included the beam, bars and the vault.
Griffith now volunteers as a gymnastics coach at the downtown Springfield YMCA outside of the spring season.
“Gymnastics has always been a part of my life,” Griffith said. “It’s usually why I’m able to catch so well. I’m flexible and get the balls a lot of people can’t get. Even (pitcher)Irie (Lohrenz) will say, ‘I don’t even know how you caught that.’ I’m like, ‘I don’t know either.’”
Griffith hasbeen one of the area’s premier hitters over her entire high school career. She is The State Journal-Register's three-time all-area honoree and will play at Kaskaskia College after graduation.
Through the first 12 games, she is hitting a .474 average with 18 hits and 15 RBIs, including two home runs.
She has not only developed stronger contact and a bigger pop but also heralds an uncanny rapport with the junior ace, Irie Lohrenz, stretching back to middle school.
“These last three years, just being able to catch her, even this year, it’s almost like we’re telepathic,” Griffith said. “I’ll think of something and she’s like, ‘Yes.’ It’s great to work with her.”
Division I commits
Lohrenz has been a starter since freshman year with a sterling 33-3 record over the past two seasons.
“We’re on the same path now and I feel like now that we’ve gotten more time together and (coach Vondel) Edgar is calling the pitches and getting our rhythm, I feel like it’s been a lot easier,” Lohrenz said of Griffith.“She’s a great person, she’s very loud, you’ll hear her all the time. But once you get to know her, she’s a great person.”
Lohrenz also did volleyball and basketball before concentrating solely on softball in order to reach the next level. The strategy panned out. She verbally committed to Miami (Ohio) in October.
“Once I realized that I wanted to take this sport very far, then I had to put my head down and put in the grind for it,” Lohrenz said. “It’s been hard, but the hard work is paying off. Going to Miami University is a big thing for me, so I’m very excited about that. I’m very blessed to have a lot of people helping me get to where I am now, but it’s not over. I’ve got to keep working.”
Junior leadoff hitter Ryleigh Kiel later committed to Penn State in November.
Kiel has already been twice named to the SJ-R's all-area team. She typically plays in the outfield but is committed as a utility player.
Kiel’s confidence at the plate is rooted inher unwavering work ethic,fromtravel ball with the Chicago-area Beverly Bandits to hitting lessons with Nick Trotter.
There’s also her dad, Bruce, who ultimately spurred her to become a left-handed hitter.
“I don’t really know (why),” Kiel said during practice. “I was kind of fast when I was little. He was just like, ‘Go at it and try it.’ I just kind of flowed with it.”
Special connection
Glenwood (11-1) certainly touts a deep lineup that also includes Lincoln Land Community College commits Mollie Cascio and Kaley Rembusch, among a host of other prospects.
“The team’s great, everyone is amazing,” Kiel said. “We all provide for each other and help each other out when we need it. We’re all great at softball and we all can do what we need to do to provide for the team.”
Lohrenz said that camaraderie helped her settle in immediately at the high school level.
Ditto Griffith, who still continues to look up to former teammate Claire Black. Not just as a fellow redhead, but also as a superlative softball player.
Black, now playing at Parkland College, was named The State Journal-Register's Large School Softball Player of the Year in 2023.
“As a senior, I really try to be like her,” Griffith said. “I use her as my role model. Even now, if I need help with something, I text her. I just wanted to be like her. She plays college softball, she worked so hard for what she does. She’s just an amazing person.”
