By Chris Parker
Macks Creek softball will have low numbers coming off a 12-11 season with right around nine players on the roster according to head coach Patrick Wolf.
The circle will be a strength for Macks Creek with Brooklyn Downing returning after throwing every inning for Macks Creek last season. She threw 121 innings with 186 strikeouts and a 2.93 ERA.
Taeler Osborn returns behind the plate at catcher.
This battery will make the team go.
“Brooklyn Downing has always been the main one to step up and be the leader,” Wolf said. “I expect Taeler Osborn to start filling that role as well as the catcher now that she has a little experience under her belt. Downing brings a ton of energy to the team and Taeler is calm and collected even when things seem out of control.”
The rest of the lineup is uncertain.
“We have a lot of holes to fill on defense,” Wolf said. “That is most likely going to be our weakest area. Some of the JV girls were starting to show improvements towards the end of last season as well and we do have one freshman coming in that has some experience.”
Addie Marshall, Madison Stoner and Grace Deckard were three other players Wolf mentioned for the lineup.
Macks Creek opens the season on Aug. 29 at Laquey.
“It may not be a formal team motto, but one truth I always stress is this: attitude and effort are everything,” Wolf said. “Softball is 90% mental. It’s a game built to test you through failure. But that’s where success is forged. If they show up every day with a winning mindset and give 100% effort, they’ll rise, they’ll grow, and they’ll succeed. Because heart and hustle don’t just influence outcomes, they define them.”
