2026 Softball Preview: McClain Lady Tigers

MCCLAIN LADY TIGERS
Frontier Athletic Conference (FAC)
Head Coach: Molly Stegbauer (3rd season)
2025 Overall Record: 7-13 (3-7 FAC)
Last Conference Championship: 2012 (SCOL)

The McClain Lady Tigers are back on the softball diamond for 2026 with another season of experience to use for the upcoming season, as they compete in the Frontier Athletic Conference. 

The Lady Tigers — who are coached by Molly Stegbauer — enter the ’26 season with 12 players who are seniors through sophomores, plus four freshmen in the program as well as Coach Stegbauer stated that the girls are very coachable and there is no lack of leadership from her juniors and seniors. 

“We have a strong group of seniors who have led by example and set the tone for the program, and there’s no lack of leadership with this group between our seniors and juniors,” Stegbauer said. “This is one of the most coachable teams I’ve had — they’re positive, energetic and willing to work and learn every day.

“The girls support each other really well, and that team chemistry is going to be important for us this season.”

Seniors for the Lady Tigers are Olivia Stegbauer (CF,), Brie Cummins (LF), Leah Lovett (1B), Emma Marsh (utility) and Dalainey Goddard (2B).

The seniors for the Lady Tigers have put in a lot of time at the varsity level, with three of them being All-FAC and All-District selections in previous seasons for their overall play, with Cummins being honorable mention Division IV All-Ohio in ’25. 

In ’25, Cummins played in 20 games, where in 68 at-bats (75 plate appearances) she had a .485 batting average, a .533 on-base percentage, a 1.313 OPS and a .779 slugging percentage. In those stats, Cummins had 33 hits with 22 singles, five doubles, three triples and three home runs, along with six walks, 25 RBI, 24 runs, one hit-by-pitch and 15 steals. 

Lovett in ’25 also played in 20 games where she batted .377 in 61 at-bats (69 plate appearances) with a .485 OBP, a .992 OPS and a .557 SLG, as she collected 23 hits with 17 singles, three doubles, one triple, two home runs, 12 RBI, 16 runs, seven walks, one sacrifice fly and 14 steals. 

Stegbauer during her junior season played in 20 games and in those games collected a .361 batting average (61 at-bats, 72 plate appearances). Stegbauer also had a .437 OBP, a 1.027 OPS and a .590 SLG, as her season consisted of 22 hits (11 singles, nine doubles, one triple, one home run), 18 RBI, 18 runs, eight walks, one HBP, one sacrifice fly and three steals.

Coach Stegbauer said the following about her seniors. 

“They are all strong, consistent hitters, phenomenal athletes and leaders on and off the field,” she said. “Emma Marsh and Dalainey Goddard will be added to the varsity roster this season. Both have been with the program for the past three years and have filled roles at the JV level wherever needed. We’re looking forward to them stepping into new roles on varsity that they’ve been preparing for.

“We have a strong group of seniors who have led by example and set the tone for the program.” 

The juniors are Amaya Ryan (3B), Kyndee Williams (P), Shelby Wise (utility) and Baylee Hickok (OF). 

McClain’s junior class of four players return two players who were “key contributors” a season ago, and two others who will fill roles and add depth to the roster. 

Ryan for MHS last season had 61 at-bats (67 plate appearances) and finished with a .328 BA, with a .388 OBP, a .798 OPS, a .410 SLG. Ryan also had 20 hits (17 singles, two doubles, one home run), 11 RBI, 15 runs, six walks and a steal. 

Williams in 13 games a season ago batted .217 in 23 at-bats where she finished with five hits (four singles, one double), five RBI, four runs and a steal.

“Amaya Ryan and Kyndee Williams return as key contributors. Amaya is a strong defensive third baseman and a solid hitter,” Stegbauer said. “Kyndee has stepped into the pitching role over the past couple of years and has put in a lot of extra work to develop in the circle. Both have taken on more leadership responsibility this season.

“Shelby Wise and Baylee Hickok are well-rounded athletes who will help fill needed roles and add depth to the lineup.”
 
McClain’s sophomore class consists of Emma Posey (C), Cami Gall (P), Kambriah Tomlin (SS) and Izzy Hall (P).

Posey returns as the starting catcher for the Lady Tigers, as she was a starter as a freshman last season. Stegbauer stated Posey brings “toughness and consistency behind the plate.”

Last season (’25), Posey in 11 games batted .292 (24 at-bats), with seven hits, five RBI, six runs and four walks, with a .393 OBP, a .685 OPS and a .292 SLG. 

One player whose return to the diamond is anticipated is Gall, who was injured early in the ’25 season after showing how strong of a player she can become during her injury-shortened season as she tore her ACL. 

In the three games played in ’25 by Gall, she hit two home runs and had six RBI with three runs and a walk. She also pitched 11.1 innings and struck out six batters with a 2-0 record. 

Stegbauer said Gall has not only a “powerful bat,” but she "brings strength to the circle.”

Looking at Tomlin and Hall, the two sophomores are important to the team as well, with Coach Stegbauer speaking highly of both players.

“Kambriah Tomlin is coachable and consistent. She gives 110 percent all day, every day,” she said. “Izzy Hall continues to develop as a pitcher and will likely split time between varsity and JV as she gains experience.”

Coach Stegbauer also spoke about the freshmen joining the program in ’26. 

“We have at least four freshmen who have joined the program that we expect could see some varsity time this season,” she said. “They are an exciting group to watch and will add so much depth to this program.”

The Lady Tigers’ FAC schedule will see them face Washington, Miami Trace, Jackson, Hillsboro and Chillicothe each twice this season, while their non-conference schedule consists of games against vs. Zane Trace, vs. Waverly, vs. Wilmington, at Logan Elm, vs. Fairfield Union, vs. Clinton-Massie, vs. Fairfield, at Unioto, at Huntington, vs. Paint Valley, at Southeastern Ross and at Western Brown. 

McClain begins their 2026 season Monday, March 23 on the road against the Miami Trace Lady Panthers in FAC action at 5 p.m.