Mustang senior catcher Arionna 'Onna' McElroy equally loves hitting home runs and throwing out runners

MUSTANG, OKLAHOMA - It was a tough question for Arionna ‘Onna’ McElroy.

When the Mustang catcher was asked to choose between hitting a home run or throwing out a baserunner, the senior went back and forth on which she preferred.

“I love both. I can't choose,” McElroy said. “I love doing both of them. 

"I like hitting a home run because you're advancing your team to winning the game. You're scoring them points. But it also feels good getting (runners) out like that because that's not easy, either.”

In her first season as Mustang’s starting catcher, McElroy has had experience with both as she has helped guide Mustang to a 23-6 record and a berth in the 6A state fast pitch tournament, which starts Thursday.

Oklahoma 6A-4A fast pitch softball state tournaments get under way later this week 

“Onna has been solid for us all season. She has hit in the two-hole spot for us, and she's doing a great job of driving in runners or laying down bunts when we need her to,” MHS coach Lacy Darity said. “She is currently third on the team with 21 RBIs and has a .376 average. Behind the plate, she's really been a wall back there.

"This is her first year to be the starting catcher for us as she had to wait behind Logan Pickelsimer, so she played outfield the last two seasons. But catcher is her natural spot, and she's really done a good job of catching our pitchers and limiting opposing offenses' ability to steal.”

One of McElroy’s biggest attributes that has made her a standout catcher is her diverse physical abilities. Along with playing softball, she was a sprinter, long jumper and threw the discus for the Mustang track team. She has also been known to play a mean game of powder puff football.

Yet, McElroy recalls that she really never wanted to be a catcher.

When she first started playing softball at the age of four, sitting behind home plate, decked out in heavy gear and wearing a mask was not something she ever envisioned herself doing.

“It's kind of funny. I always told myself that I would never be a catcher,” McElroy said. “I never wanted to do that position because it just seemed so hard to me and it just didn't seem like it would be fun behind the plate and catching a ball.”

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However, that has all changed. Since being introduced formally to the position during 10-U ball, McElroy has developed a love of the position.

“One of my coaches introduced me to being a catcher. They really needed one, and that's when I started going into lessons and really taking the time to learn this new position,” McElroy said. “After I played more games and got more lessons in, it felt good being the leader of this whole team.

"It is not the easiest position to play on the field, but it's probably one of the funnest.”

Despite sitting behind Pickelsimer (now playing at Oklahoma State) for the past few years, that love of the position never diminished for McElroy.

“Onna has always been one of the best athletes on the field. Her freshman year she was pretty quiet and reserved, but her sophomore year she started in left field for us and really started to open up. Once she opened up and let her personality shine, her game really started to blossom,” Darity said.

“She's definitely taken on a leadership role this season along with the other six seniors. This game means a lot to her, and she's always looking to get better. To have such a versatile athlete is really a luxury.”

McElroy has verbally committed to play for McNeese State University, a Division I program in Louisiana.

“When I went down there to visit their college, that's when I finally made my decision,” McElroy said. “I got to meet so many good people and they had really good facilities.

"I never knew what I really wanted to major in, but they had a lot of choices. I knew I'd have support in that area when it came to the people. It just felt like I'd have a family there and I'd be safe there. It would feel like a home to me.”

Coming into her final campaign at Mustang, McElroy wanted to just make sure she enjoyed the ride and not take anything for granted. As she nears the end of her fast pitch journey with the Broncos, she felt she has done that.

“I just wanted to see myself taking every rep and doing everything at 100 percent because it is my last year and I will be in college,” McElroy said. “I didn't want to see myself just lay down and be relaxed going into this year.

"I just wanted to take every moment and just try my best.”

Mustang will play defending 6A champion Edmond Memorial in Thursday's quarterfinals, which takes place at 1:30 p.m. in Shawnee.