By Mark Zimmaro
WARMINSTER--Maura Yoos is not worried about the size of the shoes or how fast they need to be filled.
The Archbishop Wood freshman follows her own agenda as a standout player for the Vikings’ softball team this spring. Each time she steps to the plate, she is focused on one thing.
“I know if I just get on base, my teammates will do the job to get me home,” Yoos said.
Yoos gets right to the point and gets to first base even faster. It is pretty simple advice she received from her older sister Sarah, who was an All-State high school softball player, a Philadelphia Catholic League MVP and one of the best infielders to ever play at St. Joseph’s University. Sarah is also one of Maura’s coaches for travel ball with the U-16 Chaos.
“I tell her to keep it simple and that’s pretty much what she does,” Sarah said. “She’s always hustling and she sticks to the basics. It’s been working well for her so far and she’s doing really well as a freshman.”
Wood freshman second baseman Maura Yoos receives batting advice from head coach Jackie Ecker during game vs. Conwell Egan. (Photo/Mark Zimmaro for PSD)
Doing well is an understatement. The speedy second baseman has led the Vikings in on-base percentage through the early going of the season. As the team’s leadoff hitter, she is depended on by her teammates and coaches to reach base by any means possible, and scurry around them as fast as she can. Yoos always seems to find a way.
“She went from second to leadoff and she’s batting about .600,” Wood coach Jackie Ecker said after the Vikings were defeated, 6-4, by Conwell-Egan on April 27. “Whatever we need, she’s there. She is fast, she’s a runner, slapper, hitter, and can steal bases. She’s all over the place, but for a freshman, she has very mature instincts.”
Yoos bundts against Conwell Egan pitcher Ahlana Sesar making it safely onto first base. (video/Mark Zimmaro for PSD)
Some of those instincts are apparently inherited as sister Sarah was also a middle infielder, playing shortstop for the Vikings. Softball advice is always close by as the two are tight despite being nine years apart in age.
“We’re very close,” Maura said. “She’s very good at giving me pointers and she’s very helpful to turn to when I need her.”
Athletic advice is available at just about every corner of the dinner table. Middle sister Carolyn was a talented soccer player at Archbishop Wood and her brother Brett was a fantastic wrestler there too. Their father Robert was an NCAA qualifying wrestler in the 1980’s at Lafayette College. Maura leans on Sarah the most.
“It’s great,” she said. “It’s really nice to come home and get pointers and be able to practice with the same coach.”
Yoos at bat awaits her perfect pitch. (Photo/Mark Zimmaro for PSD)
The extra guidance is welcomed by coach Ecker, who fields perhaps the youngest team in Catholic League with just three juniors and zero seniors on the roster. Add to the fact that the sophomore class is entering its first official varsity season after last year’s campaign was wiped out, there is a lot of newbies to high school softball this year.
“Really, they’re all freshmen, because they didn’t have that varsity experience yet,” Ecker said. “And now they are. We had some games where we were right there against good competition. Give it some time and we’ll get past the errors and be able to hit a little better.”
Archbishop Wood is 2-2 in Catholic League play heading into a meeting with powerhouse Archbishop Carrol (4-0) on May 1. The Vikings have been working hard to get up to speed at practices. And who better to lead the charge than Yoos?
“The freshman class has been unbelievable,” Ecker said. “They’re go-getters. They want to just help and do things and give 125-percent every game and practice. Maura leads the way with that. She’s a great leader for the freshmen and even the sophomores.”
Leading by example, it is said that the only time Yoos lags behind is when she is picking up all the equipment after practice or putting in extra hard work. Yoos says it is all part of fitting in with a new team.
“It’s really fun,” Yoos said. “The whole team makes it fun and has a great attitude towards it. There’s a whole great vibe towards it.”
Yoos in position catches line drive in game vs. Conwell Egan. (Photo/Mark Zimmaro for PSD)
Yoos slides safely into 3rd base (Photo/Mark ZImmaro for PSD)