Ackerman signs on with WPU softball program

Maleah Ackerman was the latest athlete to sign a letter of intent to continue her career after graduating from English Valleys next year. Following suit to Audrey Grove, who signed with Mount Mercy last year, Ackerman made her decision to continue playing softball by signing her letter of intent with William Penn University on November 7.

                Previous coaches, present coaches, family and other English Valleys athletes huddled around to watch Ackerman pen her commitment and take her talents to WPU. Her future changed just days before, with thoughts of signing with a different program, then received word there was interest in her from the WPU coaching staff.

                “I was first considering Southeast Community College after hearing they’d offer me a really good scholarship. That was one of the main reasons I was going to go there,” Ackerman said. “I recently got a letter from William Penn and then I called him that night and met with him the following day.”

                She was offered a good scholarship on the spot and thus decided to commit to William Penn, where she would be playing alongside one of her friends on the softball squad. While she may not care for the attention she’s received, Ackerman likes to think of making this next step from more of a role model standpoint.

                After signing her letter, Ackerman said a few words to those in attendance. She thanked everyone for coming to be part of her signing and then spoke more directly to her peers, saying any of them could make it to the next level if they put in the hard work and effort.

                “I feel like I push my teammates to be better and they push me back,” Ackerman said. “I’m aggressive so I feel like I can play at any position I’m put in and I’ll succeed.”

                In her most recent season with the Lady Bears, Ackerman played in 16 games, recorded 14 hits and drove in 10 runs while also scoring 11 times. She finished out the year with a .341 batting average and a .463 slugging percentage.

                The Statesmen softball coach, Mike Christner, had seen Ackerman play several times due to umpiring in the area. He knew that he liked what he saw from her play and it was just a matter of time until he’d reach out to recruit her in coming to William Penn.

                “Her hard work and quickness stood out,” Christner said. “Her attitude and work ethic will help our squad. It’s hard to start on a four-year program but we have a varsity reserve program, so she will be able to at least get some work in and adjust to the next level.”

                As of now, Ackerman is undecided in what she wants to study but she has narrowed it down to something in the health care department.