A Chat With Mac

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I was lucky enough to have Mac Morgan brought to my attention at the basketball game between the Lady Marksmen and the Lady Cards on Mon. Dec. 20. Mac, the star pitcher for Sherwood’s outstanding softball teams from 2018-2021, is now going to Arizona State in Tempe Arizona. She was nice enough to grant me a quick interview. I asked her how it was going. Her first words were, “I am very busy (pause) college is fun but I am very busy with classes and softball.” (That is a common answer for college freshmen going out for a sport.)
She is majoring in Health and Science Fitness. She reminded me that softball’s regular season is in the spring but they also play a shorter fall schedule. Mac said she got some “time in the circle” this fall, but she emphasized that the competition in college is fierce. She was referring to the competition to get playing time.
“Everybody is good on a team like the Sun Devils, so you have to stay focused all the time, there is no taking time off.” She went on to say, “Playing college ball is quite the challenge but I like challenges.”
One of Mac’s best friends, Kaylee Diggs, was sitting with her at the basketball game. Interestingly Kaylee was the 2nd basemen for the Marksmen and a heck of a pitcher in her own right. She never pitched for the Lady Marksmen (remember Mac was in front of her), but she made a name for herself in travel ball and is now playing for the UCM Jennies as a pitcher. Kaylee also commented that the challenges are many but she also enjoys them. It was nice seeing the girls come back and support their old teammates. Good luck to both Mac and Kaylee.
Some background: Mac is from Garden City and graduated in the spring of 2021. She led the Marksmen (26-3) to the 2019 Class 2 State Championship. They posted a 26-3 record. Mac had a 0.12 ERA. Morgan surrendered just 29 hits and issued 34 walks in 175.1 innings pitched, while striking out 366 batters. In the classroom, her GPA was 3.85. That year she was a First Team All-State selection and the Mo Softball Player of the Year. Her parents are Kellie Burton, Danny Burton, and Chris Morgan. Sherwood is coached by Lonnie Price. During her four years, the Lady Marksmen were 179-48. She also played on the Aces travel team.