Back from their annual trip to Florida, the Heidelberg University softball team has added one more key piece to their roster. At a press conference on Wednesday, the team announced the signing of 8-year-old Majoli Henkel.
"We are excited to have Majoli join our team," said junior catcher Bailee Faulkner. "My teammates and I look forward to getting to know her over the next few years."
The Heidelberg softball team was paired up with Majoli through Team IMPACT's Draft Day ceremony. Team IMPACT, a non-profit organization headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts has a mission to improve the quality of life for children facing serious and chronic illnesses through the power of teams, forming lifelong bonds and life-changing outcomes.
Majoli, a Tiffin native battling Type I Diabetes, becomes the youngest player in the history of the Heidelberg softball program. As an official member of the team, she will attend games, practices and other team events.
"I think Majoli will bring a good energy to our team, and we are happy to welcome her into our family" said Head Coach Kelli Williams, in her third season at Heidelberg. "At the Division III level, we stress the importance of developing your passions to discover your full potential … and I think this event is right in line with that."
Since 2011, Team IMPACT has matched more than 1,200 children with more than 450 colleges and universities in 46 states, reaching over 35,000 participating student-athletes. Throughout this journey, the child gains strength, camaraderie, and support while the student-athletes experience lessons of courage, resiliency, and perspective they can't learn in a classroom.
Heidelberg softball returns to action with a home doubleheader at Frann's Field on March 20 against Defiance College. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.