University’s Masoner remains integral part of the Hawks dugout despite injury

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY) — The University Hawks are advancing to the State Softball Tournament for the first time in 30 years and have had a bit of a unique route getting there after starting catcher Olivia Masoner went down from an injury mid-way through the season.

Losing Masoner led freshman Josalyn Phillips to take on her role. Throughout the back half of the season, even though Masoner was sidelined, she has made herself just as useful from there, calling pitches and coaching up Phillips to be a success behind the plate.

“I have never been more proud of an athlete I’ve coached in all my 30 years some years of coaching between youth and middle school and high school. I’ve never seen a player support another player as she has done,” University Head Coach Mindy Parks said.

While on the field, both in games and in practice, Masoner’s teammates still hear her voice and feel her presence.

“I’ve been talking to them in warmups, don’t overthrow, and don’t worry about it. Josalyn is doing a great job back there and just trust your catcher. And if you still don’t like what I call then just shake me off and you do you out there,” Masoner said.

Parks says she notices the way the players respond to Masoner. “She’s caught for them since the youth and the rec ball and the travel ball and it’s just the confidence. Olivia is still like ‘I’m here with you.’ I do believe Olivia has given them that confidence and it’s about them having that trust in her,” she said.

The de-factor coaching appears to have paid off as Phillips has shown incredible play during the postseason and has helped the Hawks make their deep run.

“I think others thought ‘Oh, Olivia is out so we’re gonna try to run.’ Jos threw the first couple out and then they were done so I think she showed them she is as good back there too,” Parks said.

Phillips said that the more that she plays, the better she feels about her ability to help the team. “At first it was a little nerve-wracking because it was like ‘you’ve got to go in.’ Now it feels normal and I feel better about myself and I trust myself more,” she said.

The Hawks will look to finish the season with a state championship, but everyone around the program knows it wouldn’t be possible without both of these players giving their all.

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