The six Lady Pirate Senior Softball players recognized this evening are, from left to right (front): Brooke, Ella, and Brooklyn; left to right (back): Ava, Eva, and Madison.
The Macks Creek Lady Pirate Softball team celebrated six outstanding senior athletes tonight, as part of Senior Night following the Lady Pirates' home game against the Tuscumbia Lady Lions at Ballparks National in Macks Creek, Missouri. The evening provided an opportunity for teammates, coaches, families, classmates, and fans to recognize Brooke Downing, Brooklyn Claire Green, Madison Stoner, Ella Marshall, Ava Willis, and Eva Willis for the commitment, memories, leadership, and hard work they have contributed to the Lady Pirates softball program. Each senior has her own unique story, and together they represent a special group of young women who have helped make Macks Creek softball what it is today.
Brooke's parents, Jimmy and Krissy Downing, were recognized alongside her during Senior Night.
Brooke Downing
Brooke Downing has played softball all four years of high school and has been the starting pitcher throughout her high school career. She has also been involved in numerous activities at Macks Creek, including four years of FFA and FBLA, three years of basketball and NHS, two years of Student Council, and one year of cheerleading. And, in what may be one of her most memorable accomplishments, Brooke jokingly notes that she has spent four years “aggravating her principal, Mr. Trusty!”
After high school, Brooke plans to stay close to home and continue her love for softball by coaching younger athletes and passing along the knowledge and skills she has learned throughout her playing career. One of her favorite senior-year memories was Senior Sunrise, followed by a trip with friends to 7 Brew and Bear Market before returning to the house for karaoke.
Brooke has plenty of softball memories to take with her. She remembers hitting her first home run and then hitting her second one immediately afterward, playing a kids-versus-parents game after a home game was canceled, and the memorable trip to Central High School when Coach Becky repeatedly stopped to ask people for directions. She also treasures watching her Dad chase down her home-run balls and seeing her parents in the stands at every game. One of her proudest accomplishments has been recording her 500th career strikeout, with her 600th just eight strikeouts away.
Brooke says one thing her coaches have said that she will never forget is how proud they are of her and the leader she has become. Her advice to younger players is to enjoy every moment because their playing days go by much faster than they realize. She encourages them not to be afraid of mistakes or bad games, but instead to use those experiences to grow, work hard, listen to their coaches, believe in themselves, and appreciate every game, practice, and teammate. Her favorite quote captures the bittersweet feeling of Senior Night: “How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”
Brooklyn's parents, Joshua and April Green, were recognized with her during Senior Night.
Brooklyn Claire Green
Brooklyn Claire Green has played softball for four years and has played third base, first base, and outfield. Beyond softball, Brooklyn has been an active member of the Macks Creek school community, participating in FFA and Student Council for four years and NHS for three years.
Following high school, Brooklyn plans to attend the University of Missouri, where she will major in agricultural education and minor in horticulture and plant sciences. Her favorite senior-year memory came during the team's trip to Springfield Central when the team got lost on the way to the field. Coach Becky did everything she could to get the team there on time, including asking strangers for directions at least five times.
Brooklyn's softball memories include one particularly memorable play at first base. While everyone thought she had fallen, Brooklyn explains that it was actually an “Impromptu Tactical Dive”—and, most importantly, she still got the out! She will also remember Coach Becky's question, “Are you feeling fast...you feeling frisky?” when planning a steal.
Brooklyn's advice to younger players is simple and meaningful: “Know your worth and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.” Her favorite quote is from Dolly Parton: “Smile. It increases your face value.”
Madison's parents, Dustin and Meagan Stoner, were recognized with her during Senior Night.
Madison Stoner
Madison Stoner has played softball all four years of high school, seeing time in the outfield, second base, and shortstop. She has also been a four-year participant in basketball, Student Council, and FBLA.
After graduation, Madison plans to attend college at either Ozarks Technical Community College or State Fair Community College and pursue a career in sonography, or ultrasound. Although she says she does not yet have a favorite senior-year memory, she confidently adds, “I don't have one yet, but I will.” That answer leaves plenty of room for another great memory to be made before the school year is over.
Among Madison's favorite softball memories is the team's trip to Central when they got lost and Coach Becky worked hard to get them to the field on time while asking everyone they could find for directions—only to receive a different answer from nearly everyone. Madison also remembers meeting Pablo, after which the team spent the entire game saying, “Do it for Pablo.”
One coaching message Madison says she will never forget is, “Attitude and effort. Put a Period.” Her advice to younger players is equally straightforward: “Don't shut down after a mistake, get back up and focus on the next play.”
Ella's parents, Lance Marshall and Samantha Rogers, were recognized alongside her during Senior Night.
Ella Marshall
Ella Marshall has played softball all four years of high school and has played outfield, third base, and first base. She has also been active in FFA for four years, Student Council and NHS for three years, and cheer and FBLA for one year.
After high school, Ella plans to attend the University of Missouri and pursue a degree in communications and marketing. Her favorite senior-year memory was Senior Sunrise and the group's trip to 7 Brew, Bear Market, and Madison's house on the first day of school.
One of Ella's favorite softball memories came after a game was canceled and the team made the most of the situation by going to Los Hermanos together. She also has a memorable coaching quote to take with her, recalling the time Coach Spence told her she “looked like a kicked puppy.”
Ella's advice to the younger players is short and sweet: “Just have fun.” Her favorite quote is equally concise: “YOLO!”
Ava and Eva's parents, Byron and Shawna Willis and the late Lisa Hyde, were recognized during Senior Night.
Ava Willis
Ava Willis has played softball for three years, primarily at outfield and third base. She has also been involved in FFA for three years, FBLA for two years, Student Council for one year, and the softball team for three years. In addition, Ava has played basketball for four years.
Ava says she is not yet certain what she plans to do after high school, explaining that she believes she will know when the right opportunity comes along. One of her favorite senior-year memories was watching Brooklyn Green trip over first base and then get up as if nothing had happened—a moment that reminded Ava of Brooklyn's cousin Savannah doing the same thing.
Among Ava's favorite softball memories are playing with her sisters and close friends and hitting a grand slam. She also has a couple of coaching comments that she will not soon forget, including being asked if she was “mentally stable” and being told to “get the corncob out of my butt!”
Ava's advice to younger players comes from someone who understands how quickly a high school athletic career passes: “Play each game like it is your last, it will be over before you know it.” Her favorite quote comes from Forrest Gump: “My momma always says life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get.”
Eva Willis
Eva Willis has played softball for three years, serving as a catcher, outfielder, and second baseman. She has also participated in FFA for three years, NHS for three years, FBLA for two years, softball for three years, and basketball for four years.
After high school, Eva is considering pursuing a career in the healthcare field. Her favorite senior-year memory involved forgetting her softball cleats. Coach Becky came to the rescue by trading shoes with her, leaving Coach Becky trying to keep Eva's clogs on her feet. At one point, Coach Becky famously asked, “How do I put these things in reverse?”
Eva's favorite softball memories include playing with both of her sisters, making TikToks during bus rides to games, and playing imaginary card games with Brooke Downing. She will also remember Coach Becky's observation, “I think my grandma can run faster than that....”
Eva's advice to younger players is to play each game like it is their last, not forget their cleats, know the teapot song if they do forget them, and—perhaps most importantly—make sure they can run faster than Coach Becky's grandma. Her favorite quote is from Albert Einstein: “A person who never made a mistake, never tried anything new.”
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