PELLSTON — Shortly after Burt Lake Northern Michigan Christian Academy’s district semifinal softball loss to Harbor Light, Ariel Tucker was disappointed.
An ultimate competitor, the NMCA senior pitcher was hoping for an opportunity to lead the Eagles to a championship later in the day, but it just wasn’t meant to be.
“I enjoy winning,” Tucker said. “The losing is not great, but I try not to think about it very much, because I know I’m not going to remember this in about two years.”
While Tucker’s NMCA career didn’t end the way she had hoped, it didn’t mean her senior year was a disappointment. In fact, it was anything but for Tucker, whose play in the pitcher’s circle, with her bat, and defensively in the field allowed her to earn the Northern Lakes Conference’s softball player of the year honor, a well-deserved accolade for an Eagle who’s been instrumental in the success for a young NMCA squad that finished second in the conference.
Pitching-wise, her numbers truly told the story, as Tucker collected an 11-3 record with 113 strikeouts. Offensively, she was just as good, batting .456, knocking in 28 runs, and scoring 29 runs.
Working with Tucker was NMCA coach Heather Hoffmeyer, who saw signs of a potentially terrific pitcher going back to little league. Once NMCA built up a program, Tucker, along with Hoffmeyer’s daughter, Isabel, were little league teammates who eventually took the reins as leaders of the Eagles.
Ever since, coach Hoffmeyer hasn’t had to worry about lack of her leadership in her program.
“She’s (Tucker) very solid and honestly, she leads our team,” Hoffmeyer said. “It’s her and Isabel (Hoffmeyer). They take charge naturally. Ariel always takes time. It doesn’t matter who the girl is. It doesn’t matter the age. If she sees something and I’ve been working on it, then she’ll be like, ‘I’ll try coaching,’ and sometimes when they hear it from the older girls, it’s good because that’s who they look up to, and she’s done a great job of leading the team.”
Despite battling through problems on one of her knees, Tucker continued to go out, produce and win games for the Eagles. Playing on a team that consists of many seventh and eighth grade players, she’s really had no choice as she wants to win as badly as anyone in her school.
“I just knew I had to be a leader to the girls because I’m the only actual senior,” Tucker said. “I had to step up no matter what.”
Last week marked the end of Tucker’s career as an NMCA player, but it likely doesn’t mean her time in the program is over, as confirmed by her coach. Instead, there’s a decent chance she’ll carry on as an assistant coach in the future. Knowing what she’s meant to NMCA, Hoffmeyer would be delighted to have Tucker join her staff.
“She’s been the heart and soul of our team,” Hoffmeyer said. “She’s a natural leader. She loves her teammates, and I think she’s going to do great, and I’m excited to have her come back next year.”
There was no doubt Tucker’s final game had a sad ending, but no matter what might happen down the road, she’s enjoyed her time and established her own successful legacy at NMCA.
“I’m going to miss being with my teammates, because they’re all my friends, but I’m still going to hopefully be somewhat a part of Northern Michigan (Academy) school and sports,” Tucker said.
Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf at jgreenleaf@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @sportsCDT
This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: ‘Heart and soul’ Ariel Tucker finishes with successful NMCA legacy
Reporting by Jared Greenleaf, Cheboygan Daily Tribune / Cheboygan Daily Tribune
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By Jared Greenleaf, Cheboygan Daily Tribune | USA TODAY Network
