Shaped by the influence and support of her family, along with a relentless competitive spirit, Marist softball senior utility Miah McDonald is putting together a prolific career that has cemented her as one of the best players in the history of the program. The multi-year team captain recently shattered the program record for career RBIs and for home runs in a single season.
After initially playing baseball in her younger years, McDonald made the transition to softball as a teenager where she quickly fell in love with the sport. McDonald was drawn to the competitive aspect of playing sports, in large part due to her childhood, where growing up with older brothers created a competitive environment that rubbed off on McDonald from a young age.
“My brothers always pushed me to be the best person I could be, especially in sports because they never took it easy on me,” said McDonald. “They played a huge role in me playing sports.”
Even in her time off from softball, McDonald prefers to spend her time outdoors and stay active. When she’s not breaking records on the diamond, you can find her shooting a basketball and bonding with her younger sister, or going on a drive to unwind and listen to her favorite music.
McDonald came to Marist from her hometown of Camp Hill, Pa. Her journey to Marist originated at a tournament, where McDonald had a strong showing including a home run off her current teammate, graduate student pitcher Kiley Myers. McDonald’s performance got the attention of Marist softball head coach Joe Ausanio, who was in attendance for recruiting purposes.
“Seeing how Coach Joe [Ausanio] perceived Marist and knowing his coaching ability, I was really intrigued. When I stepped foot on campus, everyone was very welcoming and it kind of felt like a second home,” said McDonald. “I just fell in love.”
Ausiano’s decision to recruit McDonald to Marist has more than paid off, as four years later, McDonald has blossomed into a multi-year team captain and a foundational piece for his program and she takes a lot of pride in her leadership role. Ausiano referred to McDonald as the best player in the MAAC Conference following a recent game.
“It means a lot to me that I am a leader, especially because I want to be the type of person that someone looks up to. My brother was a captain on his team and I looked up to him, so being able to transition that into my own self is very important to me,” said McDonald. “I want to be the type of person my teammates can come to and feel comfortable talking about anything, whether that involves softball or anything else.”
In addition to her leadership role on the diamond, McDonald strives to set the standard in the classroom as well. As a student-athlete, it can be difficult to maintain a balance between athletics and education, but McDonald has been able to find success in both areas, and she credits Coach Ausiano for encouraging his players to remain focused on their education.
“Academics have to come before athletics. I think Coach Joe [Ausiano] with his priority on academics plays an important role in how I succeed and how I’m able to time manage things,” said McDonald.
Throughout McDonald’s journey, she’s encountered numerous challenges, each serving as a chance to showcase her resilient spirit and determination. McDonald missed her entire junior season in 2023 after suffering a torn labrum, and she also didn’t get to truly experience her freshman season, which was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The lost seasons have been frustrating for McDonald, but have served as motivation to make the most out of every opportunity she gets on the softball field.
“I didn’t realize how important softball was to me. I feel like you take things for granted, but when those things are taken from you, it makes you appreciate them even more,” said McDonald. “It made me a better person and a better teammate going into this season.”
The unconditional support from her family was crucial for McDonald as she worked to overcome the injury, and their encouragement has helped motivate her and keep her grounded through any adversity she faces throughout her softball career.
“My family is a huge support system for me. Getting texts from my brother saying, ‘I’m proud of you, keep doing what you’re doing’ is very important to me. Having my grandparents and my mom there for the games is a huge support. In pressure situations, seeing them in the stands makes me really happy,” said McDonald.
After conquering the recovery process, McDonald has returned from her injury with a vengeance. McDonald has been a crucial spark for the offense all season, and has etched her name in the program’s history books in the process, breaking the all-time record for career RBIs as well as setting a new single-season home run record for the program.
“I pulled her aside and said ‘I’m just so proud of you…We’re very lucky to have her, but moreover, she’s just a very special person. I couldn’t be happier for her,” said Ausanio after the record-breaking game.
McDonald’s impact reaches far beyond her talent and accolades; her leadership and competitive spirit, both on and off the field, has made a lasting impression on her teammates and coaches. McDonald’s passion for the game, along with the unwavering support from her family, has empowered her to have one of the most prolific careers in the history of Marist softball.
Yet McDonald isn’t done, as she plans to return to the program as a graduate student next season.
Edited by Luke Sassa
Graphic by Cara Lacey; Photos from Marist Athletics
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