Today the Westminster College athletic department would like to honor the seven seniors from the Westminster softball team that lost their final season and Senior Day. While we cannot replicate the emotional experience of walking out onto Westminster Field with their families and loved ones, we will use this opportunity to highlight their accomplishments both on and off the diamond.
#3 Emily Lucitt (Waynesville, Mo. / Waynesville) – Catcher
Emily appeared in 72 games during her four-year Westminster career. One of the best baserunners on the team, Emily stole 11 bases and scored 31 runs during her career.
Off the field, Emily is majoring in Health and Wellness and Military Science and involved in ROTC. She is also involved in Student Government as her class president, a member of the Skulls of the Seven and a Peer Health Educator After graduation, she plans on commissioning into the army. She will be the first cadet in nearly 30 years to commission through Westminster's ROTC program.
What is your favorite Westminster softball memory? Running out to second base to Amber Tepen after she hit in the winning run to win the conference our freshman year.
What advice do you have for your underclassmen teammates? Play every game like it's your last because you never know when it really will be.
Coach Stafford on Emily: "Emily is a fighter; she's had a crazy schedule between being a student-athlete and ROTC but she's never once complained about it to us coaches. She even got me to start working out. That my friends deserves a round of applause. Emily is one of the loudest in the dugout. No matter what the situation was in the past years she was right there showing others what it means to be a Blue Jay."
#6 Sarah Cradick (Maryland Heights, Mo. / Pattonville) – Infield
This was Sarah's first season with the softball team after a historic career with the Westminster women's soccer team. Despite not playing softball since high school Sarah tried out and earned a spot on the team. An outstanding athlete, the hand-eye coordination that made her one of the best goalies in school history translated over to softball with a couple of big hits this season.
Off the field, Sarah is a Physics major and the Secretary of the Phi Mu Epsilon Mathematics Honor Society and a member of Alpha Chi Honor Society. After graduation, she plans on either pursuing a master's or Ph.D. in physics.
Why did you choose Westminster? Because of the small class sizes and to play soccer.
What is your favorite Westminster softball memory? Hitting the fence even though I only got a single out of it.
What advice do you have for your underclassmen teammates? Focus on the things you can control and have fun.
Coach Stafford on Sarah: "Before joining the team in January 2020, we talked about how difficult it would be to jump back into softball since she hadn't played since high school. It takes a lot of self-confidence and courage to come out and try and prove yourself. Defeating the odds and a sore shoulder, Sarah made the team. Once she started, she never skipped a beat. Always asking how to improve. She hit the 200ft/220ft fence at least two to three times during our last couple of games and got one start. Sarah is an outstanding person. Once she made the team, she was 100% committed and loyal to her word. I Can't wait to see what her future holds."
#11 Madison Ingram (Bowling Green, Mo. / Hannibal-LaGrange) – Pitcher
Madison pitched in 36 games during her three-year Westminster career. In 2018 Madison went 8-7 with 61 strikeouts and was named Third Team All-Conference. During that season she also threw a five-inning no-hitter against MacMurray. In 2019 she threw four shutouts and was again named Third Team All-Conference. Madison finishes her Westminster career with a 15-14 record, 145 strikeouts, and a 3.76 ERA. Her five career shutouts are the third-most in program history.
Off the field, Madison is a Business Communications and English major with a minor in Journalism, Media, and Publishing. She is very active on campus and is involved in Kappa Alpha Theta, Student Foundation, and the Columns student newspaper. She is also a member of Sigma Tau Delta (English Honors Fraternity), Chi Alpha Sigma (National Athletic Fraternity), and the West Wings Student Marketing Agency. After graduation, she plans to pursue a career in sports communications or marketing.
Why did you choose Westminster? I chose Westminster because of the tight-knit community and challenging academics.
What is your favorite Westminster softball memory? My favorite Westminster softball memory is from my sophomore year. We beat Spaulding University to win the SLIAC conference. I pitched all seven innings and after the last out, everyone rushed to the circle to hug me, it was one of the best feelings in the world."
What advice do you have for your underclassmen teammates? This will probably be the most cliché and most used pieces of advice although it holds a lot of truth. My father always told me "play every game like it's your last" you never know it will be your last game and that was proven to be very, very true this season. With that being said, play every game like it's your last!! I am glad I played my last game with that mindset, it's a game I'll hold in my heart forever.
Coach Stafford on Madison: "Madison 'Cheese' transferred to our team as a sophomore and made an immediate impact. She is at the top of the leaderboard for season shutouts and career shutouts. Whenever she got the chance to hit, it was always a double. Besides softball, Cheese has also helped with team bonding, fundraising, team study hall and more. She also writes articles in our Westminster magazine. There are many great opportunities ahead for her and she will be missed."
#14 Allison Cook (Raytown, Mo. / Maple Woods CC) – Infield
Allison joined the Blue Jays after spending two years at the junior college level. Allison has played in six games during her Westminster career, mainly serving as a defensive replacement. She has flashed her defensive prowess during those games committing no errors in 15 total chances.
Off the field, Allison is a psychology major. She plans on returning to Westminster next year for one last ride before going to grad school for her master's in counseling.
Why did you choose Westminster? I transferred to Westminster from Maple Woods Community College in Kansas City because it felt like a welcoming environment that could become a home away from home where I could continue my softball career.
What is your favorite Westminster softball memory? There's so much to choose from between living with my best friend to my family coming to Fulton to see games and seeing my boyfriend cheer me on from the stands. I think I would have to say that my favorite memory would be going to California my junior year and getting to play softball on the beach with my team and then my family driving down to Fulton to see me when we got back since I didn't get to go home for spring break.
What advice do you have for your underclassmen teammates? Live in the moment, never take a second for granted, and play with no regrets because you really never know when you could have seen your last pitch.
Coach Stafford on Allison: "Allison is the definition of a true teammate. Playing first base at the colligate level is tough. You have to compete with some of the best hitters on a team. Not a day went by where she gave up. There were many times when she could have been discouraged, but she played every day like it was her last, making diving plays and swinging like there was no tomorrow. Allie might be on the quiet side, but she has one of the biggest hearts."
#17 Mackenzie Myers (Wildwood, Mo. / Lafayette) – Infield
Mackenzie appeared in 108 games during her four years at Westminster. She was named Third Team All-Conference as a freshman in 2017 after hitting .345 with 20 RBI. The next year she was named to the Third Team again after another strong offensive season and a perfect fielding percentage. She was also named to the SLIAC All-Tournament Team in 2018. In 2019 Mackenzie earned her third All-Conference honors, this time earning a spot on the Second Team. Mackenzie finishes her Westminster career with a .351 batting average, 23 doubles, 56 RBI and 100 hits.
Off the field, Mackenzie is majoring in Sports Management and Business Administration and was a member of the 2020 intramural women's basketball championship team. After graduation, she plans to work at a sports facility in St. Louis and build her career.
Why did you choose Westminster? I chose Westminster because I was initially recruited to play softball, but then after my visit, I fell in love with the history of the school, the small class sizes, and the town. The school now means more to me than I ever thought it would after meeting all of my best friends and getting such a great education.
What is your favorite Westminster softball memory? My favorite off the field moment is always our annual lip sync challenge. My favorite on the field moment was either sophomore year when I made back to back diving catches in the outfield to save Katie Price's perfect game or freshman year when we swept Greenville in the last two games of the season to claim Westminster's first-ever regular-season conference title!
What advice do you have for your underclassmen teammates? Don't get hung up on losses, just remember why you play the game. Always give 100% in the lip sync competition but more importantly give 110% in every game because you truly never know when the last one will be. Appreciate your teammates and most importantly, always remember why a duck has feathers!
Coach Stafford on Mackenzie: "Mac will always bring a smile to your face. She is the type of player that leads by her actions. She has been one of the best outfielders we have had in her career. She has no fear to put her body on the line. It has been a pleasure to watch her grow as an athlete but more importantly as a person."
#25 Katie Price (Ashland, Mo. / Southern Boone) – Pitcher/Utility
Katie has appeared in 103 games during her Westminster career. In 2017 Katie was named Second Team All-Conference after going 10-4 on the mound with 53 strikeouts. The next year she had a historic season, setting the school record for most wins in a season with 14 and tying the records for shutouts (five) and saves (two) and was named SLIAC Pitcher of the Year and First Team All-Conference. She also recorded the third-most strikeouts in a season (122), third-most innings pitched (143), and fourth-lowest ERA (2.20) and was named CoSIDA Academic All-District VII First Team and Third Team NFCA Midwest All-Region. Katie also threw both a perfect game and a no-hitter that year. Katie also excelled at the plate during her career, hitting over .300 in each of her first three seasons.
Katie currently has the third-most wins (27), third-lowest ERA (2.98), second-most shutouts (nine) and fifth-most strikeouts (210) in program history. At the plate, she has hit .333 with 16 doubles, 55 RBI, and 91 hits.
Off the field, Katie is triple majoring in Mathematics, Economics, and Spanish. She was named Academic All-Conference in 2018 and 2019 and is a member of Chi-Alpha-Sigma, Student Foundations, Alpha Chi, Phi Mu, and Sigma Delta Pi. Katie plans on returning next season to finish her degrees and her softball career. After graduation from Westminster, she plans on getting her master's and pursuing a career in data analysis with the hopes of one day becoming a sports analyst.
Why did you choose Westminster? I chose Westminster specifically to play the best sport in the world, softball. I stayed because the community at Westminster is unmatched by anywhere in the world. I have made relations here with professors, coaches, and most importantly students that will carry me through life.
What is your favorite Westminster softball memory? There are too many to count, but one of my favorites is when we beat Greenville for the outright SLIAC conference championship my freshman year. Amber Tepen hit a walk-off double, and the entire team rushed the field.
What advice do you have for your underclassmen teammates? When in doubt, get dirty. And love the game with everything you have.
Coach Stafford on Katie: "Katie Price is one of our three captains. She's tough. She has helped organize team bonding, fundraising, team study hall and anything else the coaching staff has asked of her. The leadership she has shown will carry on for years to come just like the leaders before her. KP is a true utility player. She can and WILL play any position you put her at, even though her main spot is pitcher. It has been amazing to watch this young lady at work. Whenever there's a problem, she will fix it. She always has her team and teammates in the best interests no matter what."
#29 Brooke Laidley (Belleville, Ill. / Belleville East) – Infield
Brooke has appeared in 81 games during her Westminster career. In 2018, Brooke had a breakout season, hitting .391 with four home runs and 30 RBI and was named First Team All-Conference and First Team NFCA Midwest All-Region. She finished the season with 15 doubles and scored 39 runs, both of which tied the school record for the second-most in a single-season. Brooke currently has a .333 batting average, 74 hits, seven home runs, 72 runs, and 52 RBI in her Westminster career. Her 72 career runs are tied for sixth-most in program history and she is tied for fifth in career homers.
Off the field, Brooke is a double major in Business Administration and Health and Wellness and is a Peer Health Educator. She was named Academic All-Conference in 2018 and 2019 and is a member of the Chi Alpha Sigma and Delta Mu Delta honor societies. Brooke plans on returning next season to finish her degrees and softball career.
Why did you choose Westminster? I chose Westminster because it felt like home when I stepped onto campus. This softball coaches and team seemed very welcoming and supportive, as did the faculty and staff.
What is your favorite Westminster softball memory? Winning conference back-to-back my freshman and sophomore year.
What advice do you have for your underclassmen teammates? Never take stepping onto the field for granted. You never know when your last game is going to be. You never know when your last at-bat will be, or when you will field your last ball. So make the best of every moment, and step onto that field every time like it could be your last. You won't regret it.
Coach Stafford on Brooke: "Brooke has battled. There isn't a day that she doesn't. Her freshman and sophomore year got her in the record books. Junior year she suffered a labrum tear the first day of practice. Since that day in January of 2019, she worked her tail off to get back in it. She created all the team workout plans as well! With just four games on this 2020 season, she already knocked two home runs to put her in the running for most home runs in a career at seven. She is also in the running for runs scored in a season, career runs scored, and career doubles. The amount of production Brooke has had during her career is inspiring our program. Besides softball, she has the best attitude and outlook on life. Nothing can stop this young lady!"
