BOONE, N.C. – App State softball record-breaker
Makayla McClain has signed a professional contract with the Knoxville Miracle, the organization announced Wednesday.
"This is something I've dreamed about for a long time, and I'm incredibly blessed that it's become a reality. I'm so grateful to the Knoxville Miracle, Eugene Bleecker, and the coaching staff for this opportunity and for believing in me," McClain said. "I'm super excited to train at 108 Performance, compete in the PSL, and get involved with the Knoxville community by coaching the next generation of young athletes."
"Most of all, I want to thank God for faithfully guiding every step of this journey and for opening doors I never could have opened on my own. I'm also incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported, encouraged, and believed in me along the way. None of this would be possible without His grace and the people He has placed in my life, and I'm excited for what's ahead."
McClain starred at App State from 2025-26, earning first-team All-Sun Belt honors in consecutive years, and made her professional debut earlier this summer after being selected from the Athletes Unlimited Softball League reserve pool by the Texas Volts. She appeared against the Utah Talons in Salt Lake City, recording her first professional at-bat, before joining the Miracle.
McClain rewrote the App State record book during her career in Boone, establishing herself as one of the most accomplished hitters in program history.
One of her signature performances came in Knoxville, where she homered twice against No. 1 Tennessee, with one coming off two-time SEC Pitcher of the Year Karlyn Pickens. The standout performance occurred just months before signing with the Miracle as the organization prepares for its inaugural season.
Miracle head coach Craig Snider said McClain's competitiveness and on-field impact made her an ideal addition to the roster.
"When you watch Makayla play, you see someone who changes games," Snider said. "She has power, plays with an edge and competes every pitch. Players like her help establish the culture we're building with the Knoxville Miracle. We're thrilled she's chosen to be part of what we're creating, and I know our fans are going to love watching her compete."
Among her many accomplishments, McClain set the program's single-game RBI record with eight after hitting two grand slams against Columbia on Feb. 13, and she recorded three multi-homer games. She finished the 2026 season ranked among the Sun Belt's top five in all three Triple Crown categories and placed among the nation's top 100 in seven offensive statistics.
McClain set App State single-season records in 2026 with 18 home runs, 64 runs scored and a .795 slugging percentage while tying the program record for total bases (128). She also led the Mountaineers in batting average (.391), OPS (1.298), hits (63), RBIs (46), total bases (128), on-base percentage (.503), walks (29) and stolen bases (13).
Her first season in Boone was equally historic. In 2025, she became the first Mountaineer to be named Sun Belt Player of the Week three times in the same season and collected App State's first-ever NFCA National Player of the Week recognition.
McClain recorded the first cycle in program history against Coastal Carolina, broke the program's single-season runs scored record and became just the second Mountaineer to drive in at least 50 runs in a season. She led App State in hits, batting average, slugging percentage, OPS, on-base percentage, runs, home runs, RBIs, total bases and walks while finishing among the Sun Belt leaders in nearly every major offensive category.
Over two seasons in Boone, McClain collected two NFCA All-Mid-Atlantic selections and helped elevate App State into one of the Sun Belt's top offensive teams.
"I couldn't be more proud of Makayla," App State head coach Whitney Jones said. "This opportunity with the Knoxville Miracle is a testament to the work she's put in throughout her career and the player and person she has become. The Knoxville Miracle has created a model unlike any other that truly excites me for Makayla. Coach Snider, his staff, and the resources they've built are going to take professional softball and future opportunities for the next generation to new heights.
"Makayla has left an incredible legacy here at App State. She helped raise the standard of our program and made a lasting impact on her teammates, our staff and our fans. While we're going to miss seeing her in a Mountaineer uniform, we're excited to watch the next chapter of her journey. I have no doubt the Knoxville community is going to love the energy, competitiveness and heart she brings every day."
