Early entry works out for local Gaston College softball duo

One player wants to do special effects makeup for horror movies. The other is a pre-med major who wishes to work in the field of neurology.

Off the field of play, they are like sisters. On the field, they are teammates on Gaston College's first women's softball team.

Ironically, McKenzie Gates and Morgan Maltba, a pair of freshmen from Gaston County, were not among the initial recruits brought into the program last summer by coach Mike Steuerwald.

Instead, they were offered a spot on the Rhinos after attending tryouts that Steuerwald held with the goal of building depth for a team that had eight committed players in the beginning.

But there was a caveat.

Both players had to graduate high school early to be eligible for the start of the season in January 2022.

A dual enrollment student at Community Christian Academy and Gaston College, Gates finished her high school credits in December. Maltba, who was homeschooled from the second grade through high school, did the same.

"Coach (Steuerwald) saw how I played during camp and seemed interested in me," Gates recalled. "As long as I graduated early, he said I would have a spot on the team."

Maltba also received an invitation based on her showing in tryouts coupled with her years of experience playing travel softball.

The early entry process has worked out for the program and for the players.

Gates has played several positions, but she seems entrenched at second base as the season moves into the home stretch. Maltba has started at third base and at two of the three outfield spots.

Both women are pleased they are teammates at the college level after playing on the same travel teams for years.

"We consider each other sisters," Gates said.

Added Maltba, "We became friends when I started in travel ball, and we have played together for about five years."

The players have relied on each other for support as they make the challenging transition to the college game. For both, the speed of softball at this level has been a major adjustment.

"The pitching is faster, and the players are just stronger and faster," Gates said. "Also, practicing every day was tough because my body was not used to it. Before Gaston, I played on three teams during fall and spring, but we never practiced every day."

Through 14 games, Gates was batting .267 with four RBIs and eight runs scored. Maltba has had her moments too, noting that her biggest thrill was her first college hit – a double in the second game of the season against William Peace.

Gates said her season highlight came in a March 18 doubleheader split with Camp Community College of Franklin, VA., at Gastonia's Martha Rivers Park.

"I got more outs than I have this whole season. I think I fielded better than I ever have," she said.

Once the season winds up in May, both players face decisions about their futures in softball and academics.

As a dual enrollment student, Gates will finish work on an associate degree this summer. Maltba has a graduation target date of fall 2023 at Gaston.

During the offseason, Gates said she may join a Dixie World Series team in Cherryville and may sign up for hitting lessons. She is also mulling a transfer to Belmont Abbey College and has been in touch with coaches there.

Maltba's future moves will be based on a track that will give her experience in her dream job. A self-taught makeup artist, Maltba has posted her prosthetic creations on Tik-Tok and Instagram.

"It started when I was about 10 watching horror movies," Maltba recalled. "I just became interested in the makeup behind those characters."

No matter what shape their futures take, both players have been enriched by their experience as architects of the first softball team at Gaston.

"I love softball and I love that I am part of the first team," Gates said. "When people ask me about my softball career, I can tell them I was on the first team the school had. It leaves a legacy."

Even though the Rhinos have faced formidable challenges in their inaugural campaign, Maltba sees a bright future for the program.

"With the coaches they have, I think the team will build off this season and learn from their mistakes. The teams of the future will get better," summed up Maltba.