Three softball standouts to stay close to home


Darren Kinnard
Section618.com

METROPOLIS — Massac County senior softball standouts Emma Austin and Macy Pierce are not only high school teammates, but also teammates for the Illinois Force travel team, along with Pope County’s Emma Collier. Two of the three will remain teammates in college, and the third will be right down the road.

Austin signed to play for Kerri Blaylock and the SIU Salukis, while Pierce and Collier signed to play for Taylor Siefert at John A. Logan. Siefert played for Blaylock as well at SIU.

Austin is a speedy, top of the lineup addition. She has a .413 career batting average in 52 games with the Lady Patriots and has stolen 35 bases in 36 attempts. Austin led the Illinois Force in five offensive categories during the 2020 travel season, including a .474 batting average.

“Growing up watching them, and knowing the reputation they had and how good they were, it was just even better,” Austin said. “I’d seen that they had gotten some rings, and I’m just really excited to hopefully add some to mine.”

Pierce has a .484 career batting average in 44 games with the Lady Patriots. She hit .553 her sophomore season, driving in 37 runs in 25 games. Pierce hit .471 for the Force this fall.

“Definitely my sister going to Division I and showing how maybe you won’t start out playing, and I really just want to get those extra two years to grow and develop, and go on to play Division I after these two years,” Pierce said. “The alumni that have gone D-1 recently definitely played a role, and seeing how Coach O helps develop them and get them to the next level.”

Collier, who originally committed to Valparaiso, hit .312 this fall for the Force.