When Mackenzie Dunn showed up to her first softball practice in the fall at Chatham University, she found herself in a competition with four other catchers on the Cougars' roster.

“I was nervous, I'm not gonna lie,” said Dunn, a Karns City graduate. “I didn't get a lot of attention catching during practice and I worked mostly at second base. But I kept working.”

When the spring rolled around and the first lineup card was filled out, Dunn was starting behind the plate.

She became a fixture there as a freshman in a record-breaking season for both Dunn and Chatham.

The Cougars made the playoffs for the first time in the program's 13-year history and Dunn batted .337 with a team-leading three home runs and 25 RBI.

The three homers set the single-season record at Chatham.

“As a freshman coming in, you have the hope that you will start, but actually starting is a whole other thing, you know?” Dunn said. “We broke the wins record this year and making the playoffs for the first time was a big deal. So being a part of that as a freshman was very special.”

Dunn didn't catch one inning at Karns City — she played third base.

But Dunn had extensive experience behind the plate for her club team and had been catching since she was 12.

Still, at Chatham, the position was extremely demanding.

Dunn was responsible for making most of the pitch calls.

She also typically caught both ends of doubleheaders.

Dunn handled it all impressively and still was able to put up big numbers at the plate.

“The coach would give me suggestions if she felt that I needed it — if I was getting too (predictable) and needed to change it up. But pitch calls, first-and-third situations, pickoffs — that was all on the catchers. That was all on me.”

Dunn was proud that Chatham coach Deanna Tritinger had such faith in her.

Dunn said the faith went both ways and extended to the pitching staff as well.

“There had to be trust between me and the coaches and me and the pitchers,” Dunn said. “There had to be a lot of good communication between me and the pitchers to know what they were comfortable with.”

Dunn was also a scout on the field.

While catching, she'd often glimpse at the hitters to see their tendencies.

And to see if there were any holes in their swings.

“I was watching them,” Dunn said. “Not only am I trying to catch the ball and call a game, I'm also looking to see if they are dropping their hands or things like that.”

It made for some pretty exhausting days.

“After games, I'd get food and then just pass out,” Dunn said.

Dunn, who is studying to become a physical therapist, said the transition to college was remarkably smooth.

The practice schedule certainly helped.

The Chatham softball team would often practice at Steel Valley High School at 9 p.m.

“I liked it,” Dunn said before letting out a chuckle. “No one wants to get up at 6 a.m.”

Dunn is excited to see what the next three — and maybe four — years hold.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, Dunn will still have four years of eligibility remaining.

She's unsure if she will use the fourth year.

It does set up an exciting possibility — Dunn could end up playing against or alongside her sister, Jessica Dunn, who is a freshman at Karns City.

There's already a bit of a friendly rivalry brewing there.

“I'd call home to tell everyone what I did and somehow Jess would top it,” Dunn said. “She's really playing well.”

Dunn played so well at the end of the season that she was named Presidents' Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week.

She was the last one to know, however.

“My friends were texting me and people were coming up to me wishing me congratulations,” Dunn said. “I'd say, 'I have no idea what you're talking about.'”

Dunn is already making sure to cherish her time on the college softball field.

“College is a lot different atmosphere than high school,” Dunn said. “I think a lot of girls in high school forget that their last games are coming. In college, everyone knows it'll be over sooner rather than later, so everyone wants to leave a legacy behind.”