Two MAAC Conference championships, the first NCAA Tournament win in program history, the highest single-season batting average in program history, and most single-season and career hits — these are just a few of the accomplishments on the stacked resume of Marist graduate student infielder Haley Ahr.
Ahr wisely chose softball from the multiple sports her mother enrolled her in during childhood. Her mom grew up playing softball, and Haley fell in love with the game, too.
“She played softball growing up, so I think that kind of pushed me to be like, ‘Oh, I want to try this,’ because I would see pictures of her with her softball stuff on, so I joined a team with a bunch of my friends,” said Ahr. “I just loved the competitiveness. I loved the camaraderie and being part of a team, and it was just fun. We were these crazy young girls just running around on a dirt field.”
In fifth grade, Ahr played on a team with older girls who were starting to talk about pursuing softball in college. Upon hearing about this, Ahr decided to give up dance and focus on softball full-time, realizing that she wanted to pursue the sport at a high level.
Ahr’s recruitment process took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, so she could only drive through the Marist campus and speak to the coaching staff on the phone. Despite the circumstances, she immediately felt at home in Poughkeepsie.
“Coach Joe seemed like an amazing guy [when I was] talking to him on the phone, so I could really see myself there. I was always a firm believer that you don’t get that feeling where you’re like, ‘Wow, this is the school for me,’ but I did. I could see myself walking through campus and going to class,” said Ahr.
She arrived on campus alongside five other freshmen, whom she credited for making the transition to college less intimidating. The upperclassmen immediately made her feel a part of the team, specifically former teammate Miah McDonald, whom she had known prior to arriving at Marist.
“Everyone just seemed so fun, and then the first day we got there, all the older girls were there to greet us. Watching them talk and hang out with each other just seemed so fun,” said Ahr.
The infielder did not appear in any games in 2022 due to an ankle injury that required surgery, causing her to redshirt during her freshman year. She returned her sophomore year eager to play and instantly took the MAAC by storm.
During the 2023 season, Ahr led the MAAC with 49 RBIs, was second in doubles with 18, and batted .379, fourth in the conference. She reached base safely in 22 consecutive games and ranked nationally in doubles and strikeouts.
Ahr’s impressive rookie campaign earned her MAAC Rookie of the Year, First Team All-MAAC and a unanimous spot on the MAAC All-Rookie Team. She collected multiple MAAC Player of the Week and Rookie of the Week honors en route to becoming a 2023 MAAC Champion.
“[At the semi-final game against Canisius] no one really expected us to come out and beat them. They were the No. 1 seed, and we competed with them. That was the turning point where we were like, ‘No guys, we’ve got this,’” said Ahr. “Everything aligned, so that was a really crazy feeling.”
In 2024, Ahr earned the alternate captain title and continued her tear. She led the MAAC and finished 22nd in DI softball with a .422 batting average, in addition to slugging nine home runs, 51 RBIs, 30 runs scored and 14 doubles. She was named MAAC Defensive Player of the Year, First Team NFCA All-Region, All-ECAC, earned two MAAC Player of the Week honors and a unanimous selection on the All-MAAC First Team.
Her best season came last year in 2025, when she led the Red Foxes to another MAAC Championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance, where they earned a win over Saint Francis.
“It was surreal [going to the NCAA Tournament] because you go to that big school [Texas A&M], and you’re walking through the campus like, ‘Wow this is awesome,’” said Ahr. “I’ve watched this on my screen before, and now I’m here. It was a really cool experience.”
Last season, Ahr batted .508 to lead the entire nation and broke the program record for highest single-season batting average. She started all 53 games, ranked top 25 in hits, on-base percentage and strikeouts nationally. She also tied the Marist single-game home run record with three.
“Those are the girls you grew up watching, and I’m like, ‘Wow I’m right up there with them,” said Ahr about leading the NCAA. “It’s cool to be in that moment and to be next to girls that you used to admire.”
After her outstanding 2025 campaign, Ahr earned yet another First-Team All-MAAC nod, MAAC All-Championship Team, four MAAC Player of the Week honors and the captain title.
Prior to her final season with the Red Foxes, Ahr ranked 96th in Softball America’s Top 100 Players, finished 15th on D1Softball’s Mid-Major Top 100 and fifth on their Top Designated/Utility Players.
Ahr is already off to a hot start in 2026, breaking the program’s all-time hits record with 245, previously held by her good friend, McDonald.
Despite all of the success, Ahr remains a humble leader who strives to create an environment where all her teammates feel free to be themselves.
“I try to be authentically myself when I play and when I lead, and I think that growing up a lot of people tell you to hide your emotions, so I hope that people know that’s not a weakness and that it shows true passion,” said Ahr. “I hope that encourages more people to allow themselves to be themselves when they play.”
Before leaving Poughkeepsie, Ahr looks to continue her success and take home one last MAAC Championship for Marist this season.
“Conference play is just such a different energy. Everyone is so much happier and more excited because we know these schools that we are playing. Preseason means something, but now the championship ring is in sight,” said Ahr.
Edited by Mike Duda and Max Rosen
Photo by Kira Crutcher
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