Sparta softball star Alexa Acker is ready to shine at the next level
SPARTA, N.J. — From a father-daughter bonding activity to a passion that would get her a Division I scholarship offer, softball has taken Alexa Acker to heights very few athletes reach.
鈥淢y father introduced me to the sport in second grade and I thoroughly enjoyed it,鈥� Acker said on how she started playing. 鈥淔rom learning the sport, to taking me to get ice cream after practices and games, he knew how to make it fun.鈥�
This introduction to softball was welcoming enough to make Acker, the Sparta native, want to pursue the sport at a higher level. The goal for her turned into finding the right program to bring out her full potential. And thankfully for Acker, she found that one club.
鈥淚 started taking the sport more seriously each time I moved to another team,鈥� Acker said. 鈥淢y most serious move was when I decided to try out for Newtown Rock. Because the program was 90 minutes away from my home, I had to leave my current teammates at the time. It was the hardest decision I ever had to make in the sport, but also the best decision. I knew the coaches of Newtown Rock, Joe Garvey and Dan Santelli, would take my skills to the next level.鈥�
To sacrifice and make such major decisions at such a young age was a lot to ask for someone who was still relatively new to the sport. Thankfully for Acker, she has a support system that helps her to make such consequential choices, along with motivating her to reach that potential.
鈥淢y mom and dad have always been my main motivators by pushing me to get outside and work, even when I didn鈥檛 feel like it,鈥� Acker said.
It was that extra motivation from Acker鈥檚 parents that pushed her to excel at Sparta High School. As a star pitcher for the Spartans, Acker struck out 102 batters and gave up only 21 walks in 83 innings of work during the 2021 season. On the other side of the ball, she recorded 24 RBIs and six home runs in 79 plate appearances. And if that wasn鈥檛 impressive enough, she is also an accomplished varsity volleyball and basketball player during the fall and winter.
With everything Acker has done at Sparta High School, one would expect the school to have been the foundation for getting her ready for college. But according to Acker, the majority of that preparation was achieved with Newtown Rock.
鈥淏eing on Newtown Rock, I have traveled to many different places and tournaments, including California and Arizona where I faced the most talented players in the country,鈥� she said. 鈥淥n this journey, I have failed many times, but the failures pushed me to work harder and dig deeper. Playing this competition, I know I will be ready to play at the collegiate level.鈥�
As expected, Acker received a high level of college interest during high school. However, her choice to commit to Colgate University early in her junior year, and to sign the letter of intent last November, became clear the second she was formally introduced to the school.
鈥淎fter visiting 11 colleges, the moment I stepped on Colgate鈥檚 campus, I knew it was for me,鈥� Acker said. 鈥淏efore visiting, I was already impressed with Colgate鈥檚 academic rigor, and of course their softball program. But once I was there, I was so impressed by the beauty of the school, its architecture, and surrounding community. Plus, the school spirit is unbelievable, so I can鈥檛 wait to be a part of that.鈥�
Now that Acker鈥檚 college decision is out of the way, she can focus on both her future as a Division I softball player and her final high school season.
鈥淥n a daily basis, I’m envisioning my softball career at Colgate,鈥� Acker said. 鈥淓very day that I hit the gym for strength training, pitching or hitting practice, I’m thinking about how I can best help my team reach our goals. The coaching staff is tremendous and I’ve already met many of my teammates. I’m also super excited for my senior softball season at Sparta High School where I’ll be playing for the last time with my teammates who I’ve been playing with since second grade. We know we’re going to have a fantastic season this year.鈥�
Acker still has a long, promising career ahead of her. But at the same time, she understands there are younger athletes looking to achieve their dreams of playing the sport they love at the highest level. And like the figures who have guided her to where she is now, Acker wants to give that same advice to those just starting their sport and getting ice cream with their dad.
鈥淢y advice to young softball players is to never stop training, never to give up or lose hope, even when you’re failing,鈥� Acker said. 鈥淩emember that every loss will make you stronger in the future. Also, it’s important to get on the best team possible so that you’re playing the toughest competition and are surrounded by athletes who love the sport as much as you do.鈥�
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