Parkers Chapel’s Reaux McAuliffe is looking forward to her junior year of high school, which begins with her competing in golf, tennis and cross country, simultaneously.
McAuliffe is spending the bulk of her summer working on her favorite sport - softball. She’s competing for the Arkansas Dingers out of Greenbrier.
The Dingers have played in three tournaments and McAuliffe recently competed in the Sophomore/Junior High School Classic in Conway.
“It went good. I had a good time,” said McAuliffe, who had an inside-the-park grand slam. She was most proud of a defensive web gem, however.
“I robbed a girl when I was in centerfield. I had to go over the fence a little bit. I had to jump up and get it.”
McAuliffe, who was forced to play catcher for the Lady Trojans last season due to injuries, has moved back to the outfield this summer while also seeing some time at second base.
While improving her hitting was a goal, she admitted she had to re-adjust to playing the outfield.
“My fielding has gotten better. I had to get used to it again since I hadn’t been out there in half a year.”
Parkers Chapel’s coach last season, Miranda Carlisle, stepped down in the spring. Rhonda Swilley and Justin Welch will be co-coaches next year.
“I think it’s going to go good,” McAuliffe said. “I think the change is going to be better for us to have new coaches to get their perspective on things. I think everything is going to go good.”
She’s enjoyed being back in the outfield but could be back behind the plate unless the Lady Trojans discover a catcher.
“If they do, that’s great. I’ll be excited to play any position. If they don’t, I guess I’ll just get better at it.”
McAuliffe has more tournaments with the Dingers scheduled, including the Three Rivers Showcase. She also plans to attend three softball camps.
And then, there’s also working on her golf game. She said her brother is helping her to, hopefully, improve her short game.
McAuliffe admitted she hasn’t gotten to spend a lot of time on the tennis court. She’d like to crack the varsity for the two-time state champion Lady Trojans.
It’s difficult to play three different sports at once. It’s impossible to truly train for three sports at the same time.
But, McAuliffe believes she’ll be ready.
“You just have to work on all of them and make sure you know what you’re doing, at least,” she said. “Do your training in the summer. I think I’ll be good.”