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Holding the Rope: Community rallies around the Ingles family during special benefit game for Hudson freshman Maci Ingles

Maci Ingles delivers the first pitch before Hudson’s game against Dike-New Hartford/AP on June 22. Standing behind her are family members Zach Ingles, Amanda Ingles, Jacobi, Jaylen and Mila during a benefit held in support of the Ingles family.

by Dani McCulley

photos by Isaac Messmore

What started as a simple benefit for Hudson freshman softball player Maci Ingles quickly turned into something much bigger.

People came to support the Ingles family and Hudson freshman Maci Ingles, but they also came to show what community looks like.

The entrance to the Hudson softball field was filled with auction items. Volunteers worked food stands. Friends, family, teammates, former Hudson students, local businesses and community members gathered before Hudson’s game against Dike-New Hartford/AP.

Auction items lined the entrance to the Hudson softball complex during a benefit for the Ingles family. Community members donated dozens of items as part of an auction that helped raise funds and show support for the family.

As donations continued to come in throughout the week, organizers expanded what was originally planned as a silent auction into both an online and in-person auction.

Before the game, Maci’s mother, Amanda Ingles, shared the family’s journey.
Last fall, Maci became increasingly tired and was eventually diagnosed with severe anemia. After months of testing and treatment, doctors discovered a mass in her stomach that had been causing internal bleeding.

The mass was removed in January and later identified as a gastrointestinal stromal tumor, or GIST, a rare form of cancer. Additional testing revealed an SDHA mutation, a hereditary condition that affects multiple members of the family and requires lifelong monitoring. A PET scan later identified two additional GIST tumors that were also removed.

Amanda spoke about the surgeries, appointments, uncertainty and trips to Iowa City. She also spoke about her daughter’s strength.

A varsity softball player since eighth grade, Maci was cleared by her medical team to play this season and continued taking the field with her Lady Pirate teammates.
“While we never would have chosen this journey, we’ve learned that we don’t have to walk it alone,” Amanda said. “From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your support, your prayers, and for being here tonight.”

Hudson freshman Maci Ingles bats during the Lady Pirates’ game against Dike-New Hartford/AP on June 22. Ingles was cleared to play this season after undergoing treatment for a rare form of cancer earlier this year.

Just before the game, Maci walked to the pitching circle and delivered the first pitch with her family by her side. Her parents, Zach and Amanda, along with siblings Mila, Jacobi and Jaylen, stood behind her as the crowd applauded.
Support for the Ingles family could be seen throughout the evening.

Dike-New Hartford/AP players presented Maci with flowers before the game. Businesses donated auction items. Volunteers donated their time. Former Hudson students and players returned to show their support. Families helped organize meals and community members stepped forward asking how they could help.
Hudson head coach Jeff Curley said the evening reflected the best of the community.

Before the first pitch, players from Dike-New Hartford/AP presented Hudson freshman Maci Ingles with flowers during Monday night’s benefit game, a simple but powerful gesture of support that reflected the compassion and sportsmanship shared by both teams.

“What a great night supporting Maci and her family. The best in all of us comes out in a small town when someone needs some help, so proud to be part of the Hudson community.”

Curley also praised the example Maci has set.

“Maci has been an inspiration to so many people in the way she has taken on her fight and journey with grace, toughness and faith. We admire and will continue to stand with Maci always. She’s a great softball player but better teammate and human. We have all learned from her example and are humbled.”

Behind the scenes, dozens of people worked together to make the evening possible. Donations arrived throughout the week. Volunteers helped gather auction items, prepare food, organize the event and welcome those who attended. What began as a simple idea grew into something far beyond what anyone expected.

After the benefit, Amanda said she was still trying to process the outpouring of support.

“When we first talked about a benefit, we asked that it be kept simple. Somehow, it continued to grow into something far bigger than we ever imagined.”
She said seeing people come together meant just as much as anything else.
“We saw people we haven’t seen in years, friends from different seasons of life, teammates, coworkers, neighbors and complete strangers who simply wanted to help,” Amanda said.

“This journey has been hard on our family in ways that are difficult to explain, and there have been days that felt pretty heavy. Monday night reminded us that we’re surrounded by an amazing community and that we don’t have to carry it alone.”
For Maci, the evening was something she won’t soon forget.

“Monday night was honestly pretty amazing. I didn’t realize how many people would come out and support us. It makes me feel really lucky to be part of such a great community. I’m just really thankful for everyone who helped make it happen.”

For one evening, a softball field became more than a place to play a game.
It became a place where a family was reminded they are surrounded by people who care.

For the Hudson softball team, “Holding the Rope” has been this season’s slogan.
On Monday night, the community showed exactly what that means.