Sports

Andrew's Sister Act a Winning Combination

Kelly and Katie Christner helped spark a two-out rally Thursday as the Thunderbolts' softball team earned its third win.

Sophomore Kelly Christner is in her second season patrolling center field for Jim Holba's Andrew Thunderbolts.

Her older sister, Katie, is a junior who usually plays shortstop, but on Thursday she filled in on the mound.

In the sixth inning of Andrew’s, the sisters got their act together. Katie Christner reached base on a fielder's choice. Then, Kelly Christner stepped into the box and roped a double to center to score Katie from first. 

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Kelly shows uncommon maturity in the batter’s box.

"(Joliet Central’s) pitching was a little slower than what we normally see,” Kelly Christner explained. “I just worked on my timing, and in my last at-bat I got that double. After the first at-bat, I figured it out."

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Andrew coach Jim Holba applauded the sophomore’s approach.

"It was a big hit for Kelly. That's why she hits where she (does), to get some RBIs for us, and she came through in the sixth inning for us. It was nice to see," he said.

Older sister Katie literally has to look up to Kelly, as Kelly is a few inches taller. But Katie loves having her sister as a teammate.

"It's awesome having my sister on the team,” she said. “Even though she's younger than me, I look up to her so much—the way she plays, and the way she handles herself.

“I like it when she bats behind me. I know when she's up, she'll try to get me in. I have confidence in her.”

Kelly is beginning to look into college softball programs. Look for her to be featured in this week's "Gimme 5" video feature.


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