Former Iowa collegiate softball standout to lead the Spartans

Sophia Duckett of Des Moines was approved during Tuesday’s Southwestern Community College board of directors meeting as the head coach for the Spartan softball team.

The board also approved the resignation of the former head coach, Chris Piperno, from his position at the college. He previously served as head baseball coach.

Duckett, formerly Maras, was a softball standout at both the high school and collegiate levels. She was a five-year starter for Johnston High School and led the team to a state tournament appearance each season. She earned all-state honors at shortstop and catcher; earned all-conference honors at shortstop, catcher and outfield and was named to the State All-Tournament Team during her senior season.

Following high school, she was a student-athlete at Des Moines Area Community College in Boone, where she was named a unanimous First Team NJCAA All-American, earned NJCAA Division II Player of the Year honors and finished first nationally in six offensive statistical categories. After graduating from DMACC, she competed as a Division I player at the University of Iowa and wrapped up her softball career at Iowa State University, earning First Team Academic All-Big 12 honors and competing at multiple positions, including infield, outfield and catcher.

Duckett said she is incredibly excited for the opportunity to lead Southwestern’s program and return to the junior college level, which had such a significant impact on her own athletic and personal development.

“My experiences as both a student-athlete and coach have shaped my passion for building strong relationships with players while creating a competitive, supportive environment focused on growth,” Duckett said. “I look forward to helping our student-athletes reach their full potential not only in softball, but also in academics, leadership and life.”

Duckett has been coaching alongside Hall of Fame Head Coach Todd Merical as an assistant softball coach at Johnston High School since 2022, has instructed at softball camps and has served as a private softball instructor.

Cole Higgins, Southwestern athletic director, said Duckett’s connections at the high school and college level will aid her in recruiting student-athletes to Southwestern’s program.

“Sophia comes from a series of successful softball programs,” Higgins stated. “Her experience and strong character will help her form relationships with her players and build an excellent core for her team.”

Duckett earned her Associate of Arts degree from DMACC in 2021 and her Bachelor of Science in marketing and business analytics from Iowa State University in 2024.