Emma Mansfield, a standout athlete at PK Yonge, has made a significant mark in both baseball and softball, earning this week's UF Health Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Athlete of the Week honor.
Growing up playing baseball, Mansfield embraced the sport with her older brother and thrived competing against the boys. Her passion for the game led her to continue playing when she reached high school, becoming the first female to pitch at the varsity baseball level at PK Yonge.
"Continuing to play was always the goal," said Mansfield. "My dream was to play baseball as long as I could, and the coaches have been extremely supportive of me being able to do that."
Mansfield pitches and catches for the Blue Wave's varsity baseball team and has been a key contributor out of the bullpen. She earned her first win this season with a couple of scoreless innings and five strikeouts against Ocala Christian. However, her most memorable moment came when she had the chance to catch her older brother during his final high school season.
"It was so cool to be able to catch Aidan his last season at PK," Mansfield said. "We've been through so much together on the baseball field, and he's taught me so much. To be able to be out there together was amazing. I even got to come in relief after him on senior night. That's something I'll never forget."
While Mansfield has excelled on the baseball field, her accomplishments in softball are even more impressive. She leads the Blue Wave with a .640 batting average and three home runs. At times, Mansfield has played both JV baseball and varsity softball on the same day, showcasing her incredible stamina and commitment.
"I definitely get a little tired, but I also get bored very easily and I have to stay active," she said. "I wouldn't know what to do with myself if I wasn't always on the go. The coaches allow me to do both, so why not?"
In addition to her achievements in baseball and softball, Mansfield has been a key player for the Blue Wave soccer team since she was in middle school, contributing to six district championships and helping her team reach the Final 4 last year. Though she received several offers to play soccer in college, Mansfield knew her heart belonged to baseball.
"I've grown up with most of the girls on the soccer team. We had seven seniors this year that I've been able to grow with, talk through things, see each other's dreams of getting to the next level, and just have fun living life," she said. "But I've been playing baseball since I was 5, and it's just in my blood."
Mansfield has committed to Jacksonville University to play softball and will continue playing the game she loves, just with a little bit bigger of a ball. She has had big support from many people over the years and is appreciative of everyone that made her baseball dreams possible.
"I got to play with both my brothers and I've made such close friends on the diamond," Mansfield said. "My teammates have become my best friends on and off the field, and the support I've received over the years has been tremendous. The coaches, teachers, and my family have allowed me to live out my dream, and I am truly grateful to so many people."
Mansfield has been on the All-Area team for the past 2 seasons and is well on her way to making it a 3 peat. She can now add the UF Health Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Athlete of the week to her already impressive resume.
Each weekly Athlete of the Week winner is eligible for a $2,500 scholarship, with the UF Health High School Athlete of the Year to be named at the end of the 2024-25 academic year.