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HHS' Flaska inks with Newman
Published on -5/8/2012, 10:01 AM
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Hays High School softball coach Abby Maska said senior Makenzie Flaska has been a pioneer for the Indian softball team.
In 2011, Flaska was an all-state player who led the Indians with six home runs, 41 RBIs and an .824 slugging percentage. Now, those numbers are more common for Hays High, and the Indians have become one of the top slugging teams in the state, with the team already posting 25 home runs this year.
“That maybe is something by this year’s standards isn’t so impressive, but that is something that had never been done before until last year,” said Maska, in her fourth year a the helm. “I think that got kid’s thinking that is something attainable and possible to hit the
ball with that kind of power.”
Flaska signed to play softball at Newman University on Monday at the Hays High School cafeteria.
Flaska, who has played a utility infield role throughout her career, said she will likely play shortstop or second base at Newman.
Flaska said she also considered Fort Hays State University, Bethany College and Kansas Wesleyan University, but her college decision came down to her education more so than her athletic future.
She plans to major in sonography.
“Playing softball was kind of the topping to it all,” Flaska said. “I really loved Newman as a university itself.”
Flaska had troubles getting recruited this year after suffering an injury to her right ankle that later needed surgery.
It shortened her offseason preparations and made it difficult for her to get seen since she didn’t have a highlight film.
“I really wanted to play at college, and getting seen was really difficult when I couldn’t do anything,” Flaska said. “If I would have been thinking ahead, I definitely would have done highlight videos before.”
She got off to a slow start after missing much of the off-season, but she has gotten back to where she was hitting last year.
Flaska is hitting .400 and has three home runs and 27 RBIs. As a pitcher, she has made three appearances and has a 1.68 ERA.
“Her swing has really come around, and she’s hit her stride offensively and defensively and with what she’s been able to do on the mound for us,” Maska said.
