Ellie Holmstrom has plenty of motivation for her senior softball season at Marist.
A four-year varsity player, Holmstrom wants to help the RedHawks back to state after seeing the season end last spring in the supersectional.
But the Saint Louis recruit also has some motivation that’s a little more personal.
Her younger sister, Kayla, is a freshman up on the varsity.
“It’s super special,” Ellie said. “Not everyone gets a chance to play with their little sister, especially with the … age difference we have. We all grow up wishing we could share the field with your sister, so it’s a dream come true.”
Ellie Holmstrom finished with a three-run homer and two runs on April 29 as host Marist beat Marian Catholic 15-0 in four innings in the East Suburban Catholic. Kayla Holmstrom scored a run for the RedHawks.
Also starring were juniors Lexi Kyros (two-run homer, three hits, four RBIs), Soleil Tate (two-run homer) and Layla Peters (solo homer, two RBIs) and freshman Savannah Jones (solo home run).
Jones earned the win, giving up five hits and a walk with two strikeouts over three innings.
Ellie Holmstrom started at second as a freshman on the 2023 Class 4A state championship squad.
She missed her sophomore season recovering from an ACL tear suffered during basketball season, but came back with a vengeance last season, starring at the plate and in the field.
Now a senior team captain, she’s looking to help a young RedHawks squad that includes her sister put together another big postseason run.
“It’s a lot as a freshman (up on varsity),” Ellie said. “Kayla is a ‘go with the flow’ kind of girl. I told her to have fun with it and go with it.”
Ellie Holmstrom blasted her three-run homer as part of a six-run third.
She said she’s been dealing with some wrist discomfort lately but nothing serious.
“I’m feeling pretty confident at the plate,” Ellie said. “I’m not hitting my best, but it’s coming out for the team, bouncing back from bad games and doing anything I can for the team. I’m confident and just trying to hit the ball.”
Kayla Holmstrom has been a key performer off the bench for Marist, including coming in as a courtesy runner for Tate, a Wisconsin recruit, and Kyros, a Michigan recruit.
Both are three-year varsity starters.
“After those first five games running for Soleil and Lexi, the nerves got better as I got more comfortable being out in the field,” Kayla said. “I was really happy to make the varsity. I didn’t know what to expect.”
Kayla said she grew up around the program the last three seasons with her big sister on the squad. Their older sister, Maddie, also played softball at Marist.
Now, Kayla knows she can count on Ellie to help her if she needs a little boost of confidence or just some encouragement.
“Ellie has been really helpful pumping me up and helping the nerves go away,” Kayla said. “When I do go in, she helps calm me down. It’s fun being together (on the varsity).”
Kyros said the lineup continues to grind opposing pitchers down. The RedHawks suffered their first loss of the season to Hanover Central (Ind.) on April 28, but came into this week 23-1 overall and 9-0 in the ESCC.
“Our whole 1-9, everyone, we are super competitors,” Kyros said. “We can make pitchers throw as many pitches as they can and wear them out. We’ll all find our pitch and absolutely murder the ball.”