Mikayla Eckman '24 Recruiting Profile

My name is Mikayla Eckman and I am 16 years old. I am going into 11th grade at Pottsgrove High School. During my High School career I was the starting Pitcher and First Baseman as well as #5 hitter. As a Soohmore  in high school I was selected to be the #1 pitcher for the varsity team, which I have been ever since making the team as a Freshman. For the past two years I have been voted All League 1st Team Pitcher. When I am not pitching, I start at first base for the varsity team. I also have been playing travel softball for 6 years. For the past four years I have been playing with the Valley Forge Patriots Futures 05 team where I was the #1 Pitcher, as well as 1^st baseman, and DH batting either fourth or fifth. Just finished my second year  playing for Pegasus 18u Gold team in Media, Pa. I was the #3 pitcher during the fall season behind 2 senior Pitchers. In the summer season I was sharing the #1 role with same Senior. This will be my first year playing for Pennsbury Gems 18u Gold in Morrisville, PA.  I will be the #1 pitcher as well as playing first base. In addition to playing softball, I also have been playing basketball in the middle school, and now in the High School where I was doubled rostered between JV and Varsity as a freshman. I am the starting center/power forward for the JV Team and come off the bench as the #2 for Varsity.  This sophomore season I will be the starting PF for the Varsity team. I have also played basketball for our local Rec Team for 5 years, as well as one year for a travel team.

Academically, I am in all Honors Courses and have been on the National Honor Society for several years now, where I also hold the title of Recording Secretary.  I currently have a 4.5GPA this year and my class rank is 15 out of 259. I enjoy all my coursework and hope to pursue a college degree in applied health/sciences, either in the Nursing Profession or some type of Healthcare work. While I enjoy math and science, I also have enjoyed taking social studies and working with the special need’s children in my school every day. I have been nominated several times as the Student of the Month and other academic awards in both elementary and middle school. Also, I have taken Spanish one this year and will continue taking that course throughout my high school education.

When I am not in the classroom or on the softball field, I spend much of my time serving others. Whether that is through working in the soup kitchens with my Uncle’s company in Philadelphia or assisting the special needs children in our community. I have also attended several organized sessions where we assist in clothing donations and delivery for the less fortunate. I am a part of my school's Falcon Friends Program which focuses on assisting the special needs children go to their classes, attend events, or travel with them for their various field trips. I also love to help coach the younger players through the softball academy I train at, as well as help with various sports camps during the summer for the younger children in our area.

For fun, I enjoy cooking, gardening and traveling. I really enjoy hanging with my friends and shopping to past the time when I have down time from my sporting and academic activities.

I have been playing softball for over 6 years now but started playing baseball at the age of 5. Softball has taught me many important life lessons. I have learned to always work hard because nothing will ever be handed to me. Softball has also taught me how to work as part as a team, and to manage my time wisely. Also, it taught me to always make sure that I perform to the best of my ability and to never walk off the field knowing I could have done better. If I were to be given the opportunity to continue my softball career while earning a high-quality education and achieve my academic goals by obtaining my college degree, I will be sure to make the most of that opportunity.  I will be sure to give it my fullest attention and put everything I have into that opportunity both on and off the field.