Starting the game in middle school, Makayla Bird can be considered a late bloomer.

She also can be seen as a total team player.

When the Rough Riders lost star pitcher and four-year mainstay Delaney Troxell to graduation, Bird volunteered to tow the mound. She hadn’t had any prior experience or took a pitching lesson.

Bird took over last year in a transition period for the team that lumbered through an 0-18 season. This season, Bird has made some adjustments and gained a better sense of comfortability.

She also has been candid about her position.

“Honestly, pitching isn’t my favorite thing to do, but I’m willing to do it to benefit my team,” said the senior. “I have worked on a change up this year, and it has worked effectively during games so far.

“I did not pitch when I was younger. I started pitching my junior season due to not having any other pitcher on the team.”

Fellow senior catcher Briana Deschaine has made her transition smoother.

“It is much easier having Briana as my catcher as she knows me very well and is able to calm me down when things aren’t going in the team’s favor which is a huge help,” added Bird. “Taking on this role definitely adds an extreme amount of pressure, and it is not what I grew up playing.

“I never actually had a lesson with her, I just taught myself how to pitch based on what I saw Delaney do.”

Head coach Erika Proctor has appreciated Bird’s selfless commitment and attitude. Bird won both of the Roughies’ victories, and her stats don’t truly reflect her contributions. The Roughies began the week with a 2-10 record, and Bird had 29 strikeouts and 16 walks over 44 innings. She also was hitting .316 with three RBIs.

“We did not have a pitcher, so Makayla was the one that stepped up and gave us our best shot at putting the ball over the plate,” said Proctor. “She is doing the best she can knowing the circumstances she faces.

Bird began the game in seventh grade, and she took the advice of her parents, Tim and Jamie. She plans to attend St. Luke’s School of Nursing next year, and is not sure whether her softball career will continue. In addition, she played volleyball and has played travel softball for the Lehigh Valley Force.

“I started playing in seventh grade,” recalled Bird. “Before pitching, I played shortstop and third base. I began playing because my parents recommended it to me after watching it on TV, and I fell in love with the game ever since.”