During her time with Kiski Area softball, Mackenzie Favero made a big impact with the Cavaliers. Now in her junior year at Saint Vincent College, Favero still has her fingerprints all over her team’s success. With the Bearcats entering postseason play, Favero is under the microscope for this installment of the Westmoreland Alum Q&A.

Favero’s varsity career at Kiski Area hit an unexpected detour during her freshman campaign, as the 2020 season was cancelled as a result of COVID.

When she finally took the field in 2021, Favero produced a batting average of .375. Collectively, the Cavs went 5-10 on the year, including 4-8 in section play, failing to qualify for the playoffs.

The Cavaliers enjoyed a breakthrough the next year, however, as they went 12-7, including 9-3 in section play. As a result, Kiski Area reached the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs. However, the Cavaliers lost to Thomas Jefferson in the first round to conclude the season. Favero’s play was recognized, as she was named an All-Section performer.

In her senior year in 2023, the Cavs finished 6-10, including 2-8 in the section, missing out on the WPIAL postseason.

Following her graduation, Favero opted to continue her career on the diamond as an infielder at Saint Vincent College.

Her impact with the Bearcats was immediate in 2024, as she played in 33 games, including 31 starts. During that action, she hit .379 with 25 runs, a pair of RBIs, and 19 stolen bases. For her efforts, she was named Second-Team All-PAC. That season, the Bearcats went 17-17 overall, including 9-11 in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC), failing to reach the postseason tournament.

Last season, Favero competed in 39 games, starting 37. She registered a .327 average with 28 runs, six runs batted in, and a dozen stolen bases. Consequently, she garnered Honorable Mention All-PAC recognition. The Bearcats achieved a mark of 21-17, including 9-11 once again in the PAC, missing out on the conference tournament.

This year, Favero has ascended to new heights. In 35 games, including 34 starts, she’s hitting .449 with 34 runs scored, eight RBIs, and 10 steals. SVC has gone 20-16, including 12-10 in the PAC. Consequently, the Bearcats qualified for the conference tournament, which begins today.

As her season reaches a crescendo, Favero set aside time to respond to questions about her growth as a player at Saint Vincent, the significance of her academic success, and her interesting idea for a new rule in softball.

Q: You are batting well over .400 this season. What have been the biggest keys in your success at the plate?

A: I think the biggest key in my success at the plate has come from the experience I have had in the past. Being able to learn from the seasons I have had in the past has guided how I’ve approached this season. I know how teams in the PAC are playing me and what pitching to expect from each team, which helps me make a game plan for myself each game. I also have become much more aggressive at the plate to take advantage of what is in my control, not what is in the pitcher’s or umpire’s control.

Q: How have you grown as a player during your time at SVC?

A: During my time at SVC, I have grown both defensively and offensively. Defensively, I have grown because of the pressure a collegiate shortstop is placed under. There is a lot of things to think about when playing shortstop, along with the strong hitters we face, which has developed my skills over the years. Offensively, I have learned how to play teams with the skills I have as a slapper, rather than just getting the ball in play.

Q: What team and individual goals did you set for this season?

A: This season, my team was really focused on playing together as a team. In college, you realize that you all deserve to be there and bring something different to the table, so it was really important for us to all mesh those skills together so we can play together seamlessly. Individually, the main goal of mine was to start hitting the ball harder in the spots I wanted to hit them in. I built off of last season because this is something that I saw I could improve on.

Q: What is the best aspect of this year's version of the Bearcats?

A: The best aspect of this year’s version of the Bearcats is that we all play for each other and are grateful that we are able to do what we do. It is hard to play a game when you are playing for nothing but yourself, so being able to play for the person next to you has been really important to us.

Q: Aside from your home field, what has been your favorite college softball venue you've played at?

A: Overall, throughout my collegiate career, the best venue we have played at was Penn State Dubois. They have a great turf field and the venue overall is really nice.

Q: What led to your decision to attend Saint Vincent?

A: I chose to attend Saint Vincent because I am still close to home, yet I feel like it offered a space for me to grow on my own. When making the decision to come to Saint Vincent, I took into consideration that I wanted my parents to watch me play, even though they would have followed me no matter where I ended up.

Q: What is your major, and ideal future profession?

A: I am a nursing major, which has grown to be my passion over the years. After graduating, I hope to be a critical care nurse and go back to school to become a Nurse Practitioner.

Q: You've garnered recognition for your academic success. What did that mean to you?

A: It means a lot to me that I can be recognized not only athletically, but also academically. Like I said, nursing has become a passion of mine and I am always studying and wanting to learn more. It means a lot that my hard work pays off at the end of the day.

Q: What was your fondest high school memory at Kiski Area?

A: My fondest memory at Kiski Area was hitting a three-run home run against Plum to help the team clinch playoffs in 2022.

Q: Do you still follow Cavaliers athletics or WPIAL softball?

A: I try to follow when I can, but it is hard since they play the same time we do.

Q: What is one rule you'd change about college softball?

A: Hot take, but one rule I would change about softball is that if the catcher does not catch the ball, it should not be called a strike. I often joke about this with my team.

Q: What is your favorite sports movie?

A: My favorite sports movie of all time would have to be the classic, The Sandlot.

Q: If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

A: If I could only eat one meal for the rest of my life, it would be steak hibachi.

Q: What is your favorite vacation spot, or a place you've always wanted to visit?

A: My favorite vacation spot has been Nashville.