RALEIGH — It’s been an up and down first two softball seasons for Makenzie Ward at William Peace University. But one thing that remained consistent for the Rockingham native this school year was her performance in the classroom.
On Friday, the rising junior pitcher was named to the 2018-2019 USA South Conference’s Academic All-Conference team. She was one of 50 WPU student-athletes to make the list, having earned at least a 3.30 GPA each semester.
During her fall semester, Ward, an elementary education major, earned a 3.60 GPA, and followed up during the spring with a 3.40 GPA. She was one of eight Pacers softball players to be named.
“I was really honored to make the team because it’s hard to balance playing a sport and going to class,” Ward commented. “I didn’t really think about it that much during the school year — I just tried to work hard and do my best in class.
“I’ve really learned that I can’t procrastinate as much as I did in high school,” she laughed. “I spend a lot of time studying and doing all my work to make sure it’s done.”
Ward graduated from Richmond Senior High School in 2017, and was a lights-out starting pitcher during her senior year. The left-handed pitcher racked up a 13-4 record, while also making the All-Southeastern Conference team.
Following her third and final year on the varsity team under head coach Wendy Wallace, Ward was named the District 4 “Pitcher of the Year,” while also being named to the All-State team.
Ward has also found success on the softball field for William Peace, but she saw her sophomore campaign interrupted by two major injuries.
During her freshman year, Ward made 17 appearances for the Pacers, including two wins. But some discomfort in her pitching arm down the stretch of the 2018 season led her find out her labrum had detached from her glenoid socket.
That started her first stint on the road to recovery, having waited until after the season to address the injury. Ward had successful surgery to repair her shoulder in October, and rehabbed over the winter months.
After completing her rehab throwing assignment from January to March, Ward was set to play at the start of the 2019 season. But in her second appearance this spring, Ward tore her right anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) when she stepped in a divot while throwing a pitch, ending her sophomore campaign early.
“It’s definitely been frustrating having to deal with (major) injuries like this,” Ward said. “I never got hurt in high school and I’ve felt the strongest I’ve ever been in college. But I know that I’m going to keep getting stronger.
“I told myself I have to keep an upbeat mindset of staying strong throughout this process,” she added. “I know I’m going to get through it, and it’s taught me that I’m really patient. The whole process has been really manageable, but I’m ready to get back on the field for my last two seasons.”
And upbeat she’s been, as Ward posted a picture to social media smiling in the hospital following her ACL surgery in May. Although her timeline of making a return is still not pinned down to an exact date, Ward is already making big plans to close out her final two years at William Peace.
“I’m hoping to be able to return for the spring season this year,” she said. “I’m not sure if it’s going to be at the beginning, but I’m aiming for the early part of the season. I seriously doubt I’ll be able to play during the fall season, but my main goal is to be back 100 percent for the spring to help my team.
“These two injuries have made me stronger mentally,” she closed. “And I’m hoping to finish my career physically stronger than I’ve ever been.”
