Adapting to Change

Clara Lyons, a sophomore athlete, readily accepted a position change for the Geneva Vikings softball team. Coach Kaleigh O’Brien approached Lyons before the season about playing shortstop, a position Lyons had never played.

“Coach asked if I’d ever played shortstop before, and when I said no, she asked if I wanted to try,” Lyons shared. “I was like, ‘Sure.’ I was grateful for the opportunity to try. It’s so different than anything I’ve ever played. It’s a very difficult position to play.”

Lyons, primarily a catcher, is adapting to the challenges of playing shortstop. “Props to the people that can play shortstop,” she said. “I make a lot of mistakes and I’m trying my best. As I continue, I’m getting a little more comfortable.”

Coach’s Perspective

Coach O’Brien, a former All-American, isn’t worried about Lyons’ initial defensive errors. She believes Lyons has the resilience to overcome rough patches. O’Brien herself transitioned from third base and catcher to first base after a knee injury.

“The ball finds you wherever you’re at when you’re new there,” O’Brien explained. “She has the ability to just bounce back and refocus on what she needs to do.”

Lyons’ Athletic Versatility

Lyons is no stranger to trying new things. Last year, she participated in Geneva’s inaugural girls flag football team, taking on the role of quarterback. Her strong arm played a critical role in the team’s 9-7 record.

“She was our quarterback this year with a cannon,” O’Brien said, praising Lyons’ leadership and skill. O’Brien, who was the varsity assistant before, recruited Lyons to try shortstop in softball with assistant Meg Cohrs.

“We knew that shortstop was going to be a spot that was kind of up for grabs,” O’Brien said. “Clara was one of those kids that we realized, if there’s something we want, she’s like, ‘Yeah, anytime.’”

Improved Performance

Lyons’ talent as a player became evident during her freshman year, batting .453 with 15 home runs and 44 RBIs amid a challenging season for Geneva, which had seven wins.

This season, Geneva (9-19) enters the Class 3A Belvidere Regional as fourth-seeded. Lyons continues to lead on offense, batting .446 with 11 homers and 35 RBIs.

“I primarily caught last year but hurt my knee halfway through the season,” Lyons explained. “Then I played first base, second, and outfield a little bit.”

Confronting Pitching Challenges

Lyons faces varied pitching in the DuKane Conference, which impacts her walks and strikeouts. She acknowledges the skill of opposing pitchers.

Coach O’Brien is not surprised by her ability to adapt. “We knew she was something special coming in,” O’Brien said of Lyons, recalling seeing her potential during summer camps.

“Other teams are realizing she’s a big threat and trying not to give her anything to hit,” O’Brien added. “If they throw to her, she’s gonna try to hit it 400 feet, but in some situations, she’s learning a walk is as good as a hit.”