Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

GATESVILLE – Gates County High School senior softball standout Mackenzie Lucas has signed a scholarship to attend Fayetteville Technical Community College where she will continue her athletic career.

Lucas played first base and third base for the Lady Barons and was named to the Four Rivers All-Conference Team during her senior season.

The Lady Barons finished second in conference play in the 2023 season.

Lucas says she will miss the great friendships on her team and her coaches as well, particularly head coach Travis Riddick who has been her coach for a number of years.

“I have coached Mackenzie in T-Ball, Coach Pitch and high school and I am so proud of her getting this opportunity to play at the next level. She is a very talented young lady and I wish her the best in all she does,” said Riddick.

When asked to summarize her involvements with sports, Lucas said, “I loved the wins, learned from the losses, and learned how to fix the mistakes.”

Lucas, who also played tennis for the Barons, said that while high school could be a struggle at times, she learned to make adjustments and stay focused, and gives athletics a great deal of credit in helping with that.

Lucas, who is also a JROTC Cadet at GCHS, will be pursuing a degree in Athletic Science at Fayetteville Tech. She plans a career as an Athletic Trainer.

“I will miss my teammates, but I look forward to playing at the next level and getting started on the career I hope to achieve,” Lucas said.