Westmoreland County Senior Spotlight: Yough’s Makayla Spoonhoward

By: Anthony DiFilippo
Monday, April 1, 2024 | 12:15 PM

After going 10-5-7 overall and 7-3 in section play last season, Yough lost a wild 14-13 game to Southmoreland in the second round of the WPIAL playoffs.

The team returns eight starters from last year, one of whom is Makayla Spoonhoward.

That Southmoreland game made an impact on the returning players.

“It definitely gave not only me but the entire team a confidence boost because it showed that we can make it all the way,” Spoonhoward said. “We lost pretty hard the first time playing Southmoreland, so going in there and showing that we can handle them and stick right with them gives us the idea that we can go into the section and fight.”

Spoonhoward was a Trib Westmoreland honorable mention all-star last year.

The large group of returning starters should make Yough one of the favorites in Section 3-3A.

“There’s a lot of talent, really. We honestly stuck with each other and have each other’s backs,” Spoonhoward said. “The upcoming freshmen are really talented. As a senior, I’m pretty grateful to have them and our team together.”

One of the other returners is Adoria Waldier, an all-state shortstop.

With her work on and off the field, Spoonhoward considers Waldier an extremely important piece on the team.

“She’s one of those players where she makes mistakes and shows that you can move on from that,” Spoonhoward said. “I just think that’s a pretty big aspect for all of us.”

Spoonhoward’s goals for the season are pretty simple.

“I definitely think our goal really is to just take it game by game, win by win and just stick together as much as we can,” she said.

Spoonhoward is planning on attending Cal (Pa.) to major in criminal justice. Playing softball there is up in the air.

As the season gets started, Spoonhoward took some time for a Senior Spotlight Q&A:

How did you get started with softball?

I actually cheerleaded for three years. I realized that it just wasn’t for me. Then I was like, “Why not just try (softball) out?” I started with the T-ball session and all of that, and then I just fell in love with it and the competitiveness of it.

What is your mentor approach to some of the younger kids on the team?

I definitely was trying to be that person, and I was showing them that it’s OK to fail and not to be afraid of it. Obviously coming in as a freshman, you have that. Our coach in Dutch (Harvey) is really intimidating, but you can’t let that stop you from really showing who your true self is.

What kind of work has to be put in both on and off the field to find some of the success that you have had?

I definitely figured out that you have to put in the work if you really want it. I actually, last year, came off of an injury, and I realized that if I want to be a part of the team, I don’t want to sit on the bench. In class, you have to keep your grades and your academics good. Then walking onto that field, you have to stay positive, and you have to know exactly what you want moving forward.

Is there a current D-I college softball player or Major League Baseball player that you enjoy watching?

I actually really enjoy watching (Nebraska’s) Jordy Bahl, which is very ironic because she’s a pitcher. Her game is just really strong.

What’s one thing that people might not know about you?

I enjoy being with family and doing all that. My family is literally my best of friends. We actually go camping a lot. I enjoy that a lot, too.

Tags: Yough