LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The App State Softball middle infield duo of
Makayla McClain and
Grace Barrett each were named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Mid-Atlantic Region Second Team on Thursday. This is the first time that the Mountaineers have had multiple players named All-Region in the same season.
McClain is now the third Mountaineer in program history to earn all-region honors twice, joining Kayt Houston (2022 and 2024) and Allie Cashion (2012 and 2013). Barrett's honor makes her the fifth different App State player to garner All-Region recognition. App State has now had at least one player named all-region in three consecutive seasons.
Makayla McClain (2B) | All-Mid-Atlantic Second Team
The program's single-season leader in home runs and runs scored and a first-team All-Sun Belt selection, McClain led the Mountaineers in almost every major offensive category and finished the season among the Sun Belt's top five in all three triple crown categories. The Liberty, N.C., native set App State's single-season home run record on April 2 against Marshall, before surpassing her own single-season record for runs scored on April 7 against Gardner-Webb.
McClain blasted two home runs against then-No. 1 Tennessee at the Tennessee Invitational in February, with one coming against the two-time SEC Pitcher of the Year Karlyn Pickens. She also set App State's single-game record for RBIs with eight against Columbia on Feb. 13, hitting two grand slams in the same game. McClain hit six home runs against league competition and finished second on the team in slugging percentage at .662.
She also delivered in clutch moments for App State this season, hitting a game-tying three-run home run in the seventh inning against Georgia State on March 29 before scoring the game-winning run later in the game on an infield hit.
Grace Barrett (SS) | All-Mid-Atlantic Second Team
Named an All-Sun Belt selection each of the last two seasons, Barrett posted a career year in 2026 with career highs in home runs (six), RBIs (46), batting average (.364), doubles (12) and slugging percentage (.576). Barrett finished the season ranked among the Sun Belt's top 20 in runs (fourth), RBIs (T-fourth), batting average (11th), walks (12th), doubles (13th) and hits (18th).
Barrett totaled five RBIs and hit two home runs – one of which was a grand slam – against Southern Miss on March 20, with her two home runs marking her first career multi-homer game. She was one of App State's most consistent hitters in Sun Belt play, boasting a team-best 28 hits and hitting safely in 19 of the 24 games. Five of her six home runs came against Sun Belt teams, and 24 of her 46 RBIs came in league play.
The Milton, Ga., native was also one of the toughest hitters in the country to strike out, as she fanned just six times in 151 at-bats while walking 27 times. She finished second on the team in on-base percentage at .457.
2026 NFCA All-Mid-Atlantic Region
First Team
Karlyn Pickens, Tennessee
Sage Mardjetko, Tennessee
Bree Carrico, Virginia Tech
Bri Despines, Louisville
Michelle Chatfield, Virginia Tech
Rachel Castine, Virginia Tech
Jordan Lynch, Virginia Tech
Kendra Lewis, James Madison
Madison Pickens, Louisville
Chelsea Mack, Louisville
Payton List, James Madison
Alli Stidham, Gardner-Webb
Kylie Aldridge, Virginia Tech
Second Team
Jori Heard, South Carolina
Brooklyn Shroyer, UNCG
Brooke Bennett, Longwood
Camryn Lookadoo, Louisville
Makayla McClain, App State
Jenna Lord, Charlotte
Grace Barrett, App State
Nora Abromavage, Virginia Tech
Tori Ensley, South Carolina
Cassidy Relay, UNCW
Dakota Redmon, Radford
Nya South, UNCG
Third Team
Emma Mazzarone, Virginia Tech
Sierra Maness, Clemson
Camille Hamilton, UNCW
Audrey Wilson, Charlotte
Bella Gerlach, Marshall
Ella Dodge, Tennessee
Sydni Burko, Marshall
Avery Boquin, UNCG
Alannah Leach, Tennessee
Sophia Knight, Tennessee
Kanisha Anderson, ECU
Carly Sleeman, Kentucky
