Bushnell Softball Signs a True Beacon
EUGENE, Ore. – During their final road trip of the 2021 season, playing Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington, the Bushnell Softball team had a special opportunity to personally welcome a new member to the program as they signed Mikella Leuderitz to a Cascade Conference Letter of Intent.
Mikella, 13, has been a lifelong softball player and fan and until recently, she aspired to play softball in high school and perhaps one day in college. Unfortunately, life sometimes throws a curve ball and last year Mikella was diagnosed with protein 8 deficiency and prothrombin gene mutation, a combination of rare blood disorders, which cause the formation of blood clots.
Currently, Mikella has a clot in her right leg that extends from her ankle to her upper thigh and she will be on medication for the rest of her life. Due to the dangerous nature of clots, which can break loose and move to the lungs or brain, Mikella will unfortunately never be able to play softball again.
“Softball was Mikella’s whole world,” said her mother Kimi. “She loved it more than anything.”
Head Coach Katie Duroe said, “Mikella has been dealt a tough hand at such a young age, but her joy and contagious smile have been such a blessing to our program.”
Through a family friend, Mikella and Bushnell junior Sam Silver, who are both from the Mount Vernon area of Washington, were able to connect late last year and developed an immediate bond, texting or talking on FaceTime almost daily.
Mikella became an instant fan of the Beacons, watching every game on livestream and texting her new buddy after each contest. She was able to attend the first day of the weekend series with Northwest, and stopped by the team huddle in between games to give some words of encouragement after a tough loss that had knocked Bushnell out playoff contention.
After the game, the Leuderitz family was able to meet up with the team for dinner in the lobby of the team hotel. When she arrived, the team had the surprise of her life waiting for Mikella, with a Letter of Intent signing ceremony. Head Coach Katie Duroe said, “To say she was shocked would be an understatement. When Sam told her that the table was all for her, Mikella instantly burst into tears. She was so thankful to become a member of the team that she has been such a SuperFan for this year.”
Mikella will forever be a part of the Beacon family and will continue to follow the team from afar for now as she starts eighth grade in September.
“Mikella and her parents told us how much she talks about our team and looks up to us,” said Silver, “but the truth is, we all look up to her. She is such a strong person and is the true definition of being a Beacon. She is a light in the darkness and she is now an official member of our team and we couldn’t be more excited.”