A pair of Union County softball players had their high school senior seasons wiped out last spring by COVID-19. Karli Goocher and Kenlee McAuliffe are thrilled to get back on the diamond as college freshmen.
Goocher, a catcher at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri, is scheduled to open her season on Feb. 13 against Northwest Missouri State.
McAuliffe, listed as an outfielder at Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, has a season opener at Arkansas State on Feb. 7.
“I’m so excited to be competing again and at this level,” said McAuliffe. “After getting in a few games this fall and the hard work this offseason, I can’t wait to see what we accomplish as a team.”
Goocher, a four-year starter at Smackover, said she’s ready to get back into game action as well.
“I’m very excited. I’ve missed the adrenaline and excitement I get during games,” she said. “I feel like I haven’t played an actual game in so long because we didn’t play any during the fall because of COVID.”
Both girls are making the adjustment to college life, made extra difficult by the current pandemic.
“It’s definitely a big adjustment. I’m getting used to kind of figuring things out on my own and becoming more independent, which is actually kind of fun,” said Goocher. “I really love the team and the coaches. I do have to get used to the snow and it being so dang cold. I’m not really sure how I’m going to be able to move during games when it’s this cold outside, but I’ll figure it out. I’m just ready to play some ball.”
McAuliffe, a four-year starter and standout third baseman at Parkers Chapel, has enjoyed this stage in her athletic and academic career.
“Life as a college athlete is so different in a good way,” she said. “You really have to love your sport to devote the time required to excel and manage an academic career. You’re busy all the time but it’ll all be so worth it in the end.”