In the spring of 2021, Mackenzie Parks split her time between pitching and playing shortstop for A-C Valley’s softball team.

She enjoyed the latter much more, turning in a .964 fielding percentage and earned a spot on the Class A All-State team at the position in the process.

This year, Mike Parks, the Falcons’ head coach and Mackenzie’s father, was toying with the idea of making her the team’s main presence in the circle.

“I really wasn’t looking forward to that,” Mackenzie admitted. “I didn’t want to let the team down, but I’d much rather be playing in the field.”

As it turned out, she got her wish.

“She has a lot of range and I didn’t think we’d be a strong team defensively,” Mike Parks said. “We needed her. She still pitched some for us this season, but played mostly at shortstop.”

Batting third in A-C Valley’s order, Mackenzie led the Falcons in average (.577), hits (30), RBI (29) and home runs (4). And the standout defensive play was still there as her fielding percentage was .956.

Those efforts earned for her First Team All-State recognition from the Pennsylvania High School Softball Coaches Association. She was second team last year.

“She would’ve started as a freshman in 2020, but we lost that season to COVID,” Mike Parks said. “She was our best hitter and always put the ball in play.”

Seneca Valley senior infielder Maddie Gross and freshman pitcher Lexie Hames were named First Team All-State in Class 6A. They were recently profiled in separate articles in the Butler Eagle.

Making second team in Class 4A were Freeport catcher Natalie King and shortstop Abby DeJidas. In Class 3A, Karns City pitcher Marra Patton and shortstop Ashley Fox, both seniors, were honored.

Patton struck out 70 batters in 83.1 innings pitched and finished the season with a 2.86 ERA. She was no liability at the plate, either, batting .433 with five home runs. Last month, was was named Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference MVP.

“The biggest thing we’re losing with Marra’s graduation is her power and her consistency in the circle,” said KC coach Mike Stitt.

Patton just wishes she could have a few more memories in a Karns City uniform to look back on.

“I really wish we could’ve played in 2020,” she said. “I think we would have been really good that year. My career seemed to go by really fast.”

Fox moved from center field to shortstop this spring.

“It was a crazy offseason, a lot of quick-timing work and that was different for me,” said Fox. “The coaching staff kept me on my toes.”

Fox adjusted, though, becoming reliable at her new position with just six errors in 90 chances. She was stellar at the plate, leading the team with a .477 batting average, 28 runs scored and 28 batted in.

“I wasn’t thinking about making all-state,” she said. “I just wanted to go out and play the game, but it is nice to be honored like this.”

Fox’s speed also paid big dividends for the Gremlins.

“She was able to get on and cause chaos on the bases (13 steals),” said Stitt, who lauded Fox’s .570 on-base percentage. “She took the pressure off the other players. She did such a good job of reaching base, all they had to do was put the ball in play and we were going to score.

“Over 400 players (in Class 3A) were nominated across the state. Marra and Ashley are both well-deserving of this recognition.”

Patton and Fox helped lead the Gremlins to the first state playoff win in program history, a 7-2 victory over Harbor Creek June 6.

“I’d played softball with those girls since I was nine years old,” said Fox. “The fact we were able to accomplish something like that together, it means the world to me.”

King did not take lightly her role as a senior starter for Freeport.

“Starting with conditioning in the offseason, I took on the leadership role,” said King, who along with being a standout backstop for Freeport, batted .458 with 20 runs scored and 18 RBI.

“Natalie was always a good hustle player and a good example of what a team needs behind the plate,” said Freeport coach Sam Ross.

Enjoying the position had something to do with that.

“I was seven years old, playing rec ball and they needed a catcher,” said King. “They put me in and I’ve been a catcher ever since.

“Being a catcher definitely takes a physical toll on you, but I always liked it. It kept me busy and involved in everything.”

DeJidas hit .379, hitting in the No. 2 spot behind King.

“I was very surprised (to be named All-State), but very thankful for my teammates and coaches for helping me get there,” said DeJidas. “I’ve made a lot of friends from playing softball and that makes it really fun.”

“Abby played a lot of second and third base as a freshman, but we moved her to shortstop this year and she handled it well,” Ross said. “We’re very proud of Natalie and Abby. Making the state team is a big deal for them personally, but also for the team.”