Tacker helped to pace WHS softball this season
Growing up, softball was a staple for Whitehall’s Paige Tacker.
Her mother played the sport as well as her older brother, Aiden. Playing a number of sports in her youth, Tacker still appeared destined to play softball.
“I started softball when I was 5-years-old,” noted Tacker. “I started at such a young age because my family was heavily involved at Egypt Park, and we enjoyed sports.
“I was always active as a kid playing many different sports, but softball was the sport I stuck with throughout the years.”
Tacker progressed through the years, and she found her comfort zone in middle school.
“That’s when I first felt comfortable playing,” stressed Tacker about middle school. “I have loved the game since I played for so many years. After losing seventh grade season because of COVID, I was eager to get back on the field with a great team and environment.”
Her primary influence has been middle school head coach Art Getchius.
“He has been my biggest influence in my career,” said Tacker. “He believed in me and my ability to work at the sport and get better during a development part in my softball career. He even introduced me to a new position, where I currently play, and he was always willing to take extra time to work with me.”
As well as being among the team’s top players on offense, she also played a pivotal role as the team’s center fielder, making the move from left field.
“Paige has really been the anchor of the outfield,” said head coach Jeff Vivian. “She moved to center field last year when Hanna Bundra got hurt. It was a little bit of an adjustment moving from left field, but we liked the communication and leadership she bought to the position. Then, offensively last year, she just kept improving. She ended up being a second-team East Penn Conference selection, which goes directly to her work ethic.
“This year, she just jumped right back into it. She really helped settle the outfield with her play, and offensively, she had some of our best at bats. Paige has been a little snake-bitten at times at the plate. But she just keeps making adjustments and getting better. And she has been doing this while playing through an injury, which really highlights her toughness as a player.”
Tacker took the season in stride.
“My role on the team is big just like everyone else’s,” said Tacker. “I am there to play my part as a center fielder and also do my part up at the plate.
“Defensively, we put in work every day to maintain and improve our skills, but I believe we focus a lot of time and effort on offensive skills whether it’s hitting or bunting.”