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Versatile Carrington ready to play anywhere for Stars
In any team-oriented situation, the ability to perform multiple tasks is advantageous in not only individual success but for the team to accomplish its goals.
Makenzi Carrington (formerly Myers), who will graduate today from South Putnam after a standout softball career for the Eagles, will utilize her multi-talented softball skills next spring when she suits up for Division III Dominican University in River Forest, Ill.
Carrington thinks she has played every position except second base in her career, and does not care where the Stars assign her to play.
"I started out as a third baseman my freshman year of high school," Carrington recalled earlier this month after signing her national letter-of-intent. "My sophomore year, my coach transitioned me to pitching because our starting pitcher was getting ready to graduate. I pitched in my junior year, and in travel ball, but this year we had three freshmen who were pitchers so I got to go back to third base."
Carrington said that Dominican does not have specific plans for her, but that's OK.
"I am going there as a utility player," she said. "I will do whatever they need me to do."
South Putnam coach Jamie Steffy feels Carrington will be an asset for Dominican wherever she winds up playing.
"She's shown up to play every day this year, whether she's been 100 percent or banged up," Steffy said. "I've never heard her complain. She had a really good season for us, and has been a good leader for our younger girls. She has done everything that I have asked."
Steffy said the transition of positions for Carrington that was made when he took over as head coach just prior to the start of practice this season was handled unusually well.
"When I asked her to switch to third base and she didn't complain or question it," he said. "She said she would do whatever it took for our team to be successful. It can't be easy being a senior and have a new coach come in and move you to a new position."
Steffy said that Carrington's versatility will benefit both her and the Dominican program.
"They're probably going to bring her in and see where she fits in bes," he said. "She's really fast and athletic and can definitely play a lot of spots. She could play third, shortstop or pitch, and I think she could even be a good center fielder.
"She is going to be an asset to their program, and she will do well at the next level."
The Eagles finished with a 12-13-1 record, falling to North Putnam in the first round of the sectional.
Carrington finished with a .411 batting average (third on team) with five doubles, one triple, five home runs (first on team), 15 RBI and 29 runs scored (tied for second on team).
She also had a .485 on-base percentage and a .656 slugging percentage (both third on team), and led the team with 16 stolen bases. Carrington struck out only six times in 90 at-bats.
Carrington felt the Eagles came together well under Steffy, and really enjoyed her senior year on the diamond.
"We have really come together as a team," she said prior to the end of the season. "We are more of a family this year than anything. We like to say that we have a sisterhood, and we always have each other's back on and off the field.
"That is what coach Steffy has brought us and helped us to develop as a team."
Dominican finished 26-15 this spring on the softball diamond, ending in a three-way tie for second place at 15-7 in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference.
Carrington plans to major in biology and go on to the school's physicians' assistant program.
"I'm very excited to get there, and it can't come soon enough," she said. "I'm really excited to go to the next level, make new friendships and play some more ball."