Weatherford College Coyote Marcie Moss grew up, as did most youngsters in Buna, expecting to have a passion for basketball.

Then, softball came into her life.

"Softball wasn’t a big deal at all in our small town," she said. "So when softball came into the picture it was like a whole new world. From the very first game I fell in love. But it took awhile for me to realize why I really loved the game. I loved to compete and be a leader on the field."

And she's continued to do that, including as a freshman on the Coyotes, offensively, defensively at first base, and as a pitcher.

When the season ended after just 24 games because of COVID-19, Moss was batting .319 with four doubles, a home run and seven runs batted in. She was tied for the team lead in doubles and third on the team with 15 hits, along with being tied for third with 11 runs scored.

On the pitching mound she was 3-0 with a 4.24 ERA. She struck out 25 and walked just three in 38 innings.

"I did not become a pitcher till around seventh grade," she said. "I always played first base and batted. I love playing first base, but being from a small school I knew we wouldn't have very many girls that could pitch and give us a chance, so I started taking pitching lessons to be a high school pitcher."

She also started pitching for a select team, and everything took off from there, she said.

"I love being a pitcher and the feeling to be throwing an awesome game, but also the feeling of picking a bad throw and turning a double play at first is just as awesome," she said.

Her teams at Buna were regulars in the Class 3A playoffs, going two rounds deep in her freshman and sophomore years, three rounds as a senior, and as a junior they advanced five rounds and came within one game of reaching the state tournament. They also made history by winning their first district championship her junior year, going undefeated in league play and allowing just one run.

Moss' accolades piled up during that time. She was named Freshman of the year, first-team all-district pitcher as a sophomore, and district MVP as a junior and senior. She was also an all-state selection her final two years at Buna.

"We proved so many people wrong and turned many heads. Buna has also had three other softball players go play at the next level. I am very thankful for every single one of my high school teammates and my coaches," she said.

Like many, she was caught by surprise when the remainder of the season was called this spring. However, she does plan to return to WC next season to make up for lost time - literally.

"Honestly I didn’t think the virus was going to be that big of a deal. I thought it was just like the common flu and we would just carry on as usual," she said. "Then they started talking about us having to take a few days off and go home. Then all (NCAA) D1 softball was canceled, and I started to get kinda worried.

"This wasn't the way we were supposed to end our season. It is still kind of hard to wrap your mind around."

Moss, a kinesiology major, plans to continue playing softball as long as possible, and when that ends, she wants to continue in the sport as a coach.

"I love sports and I love to compete. That is why I want to become a coach to share my knowledge and love for the game with young athletes, and hope they learn to love the game like I do," she said.

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by Rick Mauch