The article that follows was written by Amelia Schaefer and appeared in the August 12 edition of the The Lake Sun on page A8. Here is a link to the article on-line: https://lakenewsonline.com/eeditions/.
Macks Creek High School will have a familiar face leading its softball program this fall as 2016 graduate Micah Spence takes over as the Lady Pirates’ new head coach.
Spence said the opportunity is a chance to return to the program that helped shape her love for the sport.
“I am a Macks Creek alumnus,” Spence said. “I played softball all four years for Macks Creek and two years in college. Softball has just kind of always been my passion.” Her resume includes collegiate competition at Westminster College, and representing Team USA in Italy during 2016.
After learning the Macks Creek position was open, Spence spoke with Principal Jason Trusty about the opportunity and decided to applyfor the job. She doesn’t teach in the district – she works for Probation and Parole – but she will coach alongside her career.
As she prepares for her first season, Spence said she’s still getting to know the team after spending a handful of years away from the community. Shesaid she likes what she has seen during summer workouts.
“I do know we have seven returning seniors with experience,” she said. “From what I’ve seen so far this summer, they seem like a great group of girls.”
Spence expects one of her biggest challenges in her first season will be building relationships with her players and finding a rhythm as head coach.
“I think with it being my first year, the biggest challenge will probably be just getting my footing and getting to know the girls and how we work together,” she said. “But they seem like a good group of girls, and I’m excited to step into it.”
The Lady Pirates have held summer hitting workouts and fall practice began Aug. 10. They’ll play their season opener at home against Laquey onAug. 31.
While Spence has not yet had the opportunity to work with the full roster, she is optimistic about the season ahead. “I have high hopes,” she said.
She said she is looking forward to sharing the game she has loved for years with the next generation of players.
“I’m excited to get back to my biggest passion, which is softball,” she said. “I love teaching younger girls how to play, and I just love being involved in building another person’s passion for the sport.”
#MCPirates