Cooper and Spencer aiming to take St. Al to new heights in 2024

VICKSBURG, Miss. – Kyleigh Cooper and Madison Spencer are fired up for St. Aloysius’ upcoming softball season as they prepare to hit the field in just a few days. Heading into their senior and junior years, the pitcher/catcher duo have already taken the Lady Flashes’ program to new heights. The team finished off the 2023 with a 15-9 record and leading St. Al to the playoffs for the first time in a decade.

Cooper:

Cooper has kept this program afloat for the last four years, stepping into stardom during her freshman season. Her right arm became the lethal weapon St. Al desperately needed when she first arrived.

The future looks bright for Cooper and the Lady Flashes as she enters her final season.

“We’ve really come a long way, and we have a strong team on and off the field this year,” Cooper said. “I’ve taken every year very seriously and I plan to continue that, but I also plan to sit back and enjoy it for once.”

Cooper has thrown nearly 500 strikeouts since becoming a varsity pitcher. She has experienced both the dark and bright days of this softball program. Now named captain of this year’s squad, her leadership will play a vital role in St. Al’s success.

“Leading is very important, but I often remind myself to stay calm in tough situations because I’m the only senior and I want my younger teammates to have true guidance,” Cooper added.

Before last season, Cooper was known primarily for her throwing ability. In 2023, she demonstrated her athleticism by achieving the second-highest batting average in the county (.459) and earning her first Division 1 scholarship.

Spencer:

Madison Spencer joined a new team last season and eagerly aimed to improve St. Al’s program. She quickly became the catcher Cooper needed and made multiple contributions on the field.

The rising junior has high hopes for the Lady Flashes in 2024.

“I’m very excited because we’re definitely in a better position than last year and we’ve been really good together,” Spencer said.

Spencer excelled as a catcher all season, making good pitches look perfect. While catching seemed to be her niche, she also changed the game’s tempo when she stepped up to the plate. She finished the year with a .385 batting average, 11 RBIs, five doubles, and two triples.

Spencer’s attributes helped St. Al reach the postseason, but she has bigger plans for the Lady Flashes this year.

“Our goal is to get past the first round of the playoffs this year,” Spencer said. “I’m concentrating on staying focused and letting God be my motivator.”

Second-year Head Coach Mike Foley leads Spencer, Cooper, and the Lady Flashes. They will begin their season this weekend by traveling to play in a tournament in Winona.