Hitting opposite field isn’t just a treat to Kaneland’s Addison Coulter. It’s better. ‘We call it Oppo Taco.’

“We’ve worked hard on that in practice,” Coulter said of taking the ball the other way. “Thursday, all day in practice, we were going oppo, oppo, oppo and coach was stressing it again (Friday).”

Senior pitcher/second baseman Ellie Peck, a Lewis recruit who reached base three times and scored three runs, confirmed that Kuefler’s motivational ploy seems to be working.

“We like our food,” she said.

Coulter and Jonutz are making the most of their limited chances in the circle behind Illinois-Chicago commit Brynn Woods, a senior who recently reached 500 career strikeouts, and Peck.

“Ellie has been solid, too,” Kuefler said. “She’s unflappable on the mound. She can actually be in the toughest of situations and she’s just stone cold, does a great job for us.

“Ellie and Brynn are a perfect combination. They’re our warriors right now.”

Coulter and Jonutz both figure to have expanded pitching roles next season.

In the meantime, Coulter has made valuable contributions at the plate and first base, where she settled in last season. She hit .281 with a team-high seven homers.

While it took her awhile to get her first one this spring, Kuefler wouldn’t be surprised to see Coulter equal last year’s total before the season ends.

“She’s just a strong kid and showed plenty of promise as a power hitter,” he said.

Coulter is now hitting just .233 with 10 RBIs but also has drawn 10 walks, boosting her on-base percentage to a robust .421.

“She sees the most pitches in her at-bats of anyone on the team,” Kuefler said. “Her pitch selection is outstanding and she definitely gets quality at-bats. She’s getting it figured out.”

While providing the impetus for some tasty treats.

“Somebody brought the taco hat home from Peoria,” Kuefler said. “I live in Elburn and will order a bag of tacos on the app and bring them to practice, plus one cheese burrito, I think.

“That’s for Brynn Woods, who doesn’t like tacos.”