During the fifth inning, while competing against Presbyterian on April 11, junior Macy McCall broke the single-season stolen base record with her 34th of the season. The record was previously set by Susan Funderburk in 1995 with 33 stolen bases.
“I have tried not to focus so much on breaking the record, but instead just performing well for my teammates and coaches. Breaking the record has just been a bonus,” McCall said.
This is McCall’s first season with the Eagles as she recently transferred to Winthrop in the fall of 2020 after her previous school in Ohio canceled the softball program due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I actually struggled to perform well at my previous university. I have realized that I was focusing too much on performing well, rather than just having fun and playing the game that I have loved for so long. When I got to Winthrop, I decided to just play softball and let the successes come to me,” said McCall.
Senior Ansley Gilreath had high praise for her teammate.
“I have said this many times and I will say it again; if I could be any other softball player, I would want to be Macy McCall,” Gilreath said. “She can do it all. She can bunt for a hit, she can slap for a hit, she can steal bases, and she can hit bombs. She is insane and I am sure she will break even more records during her time at Winthrop.”
Gilreath is also on track to break a Winthrop softball record, with her 32 career home runs placing her just a couple of homers away from passing the record.
“Home runs are not really my focus right now, but scoring the runners in scoring position and making the plays on defense are my main focus. Also, I just hope to enjoy the rest of the season. There are only a few games left and I am trying to remember how blessed I am to play this sport and have this opportunity to play again,” said Gilreath.
Gilreath and McCall are both thankful for their parents’ support throughout the years of softball.
“My mom has actually never even missed a single college softball game for me since I have been on the team. That’s five years and never missing a game. Her dedication to seeing me play really motivates and inspires me to be the best version of myself on and off the field,” said Gilreath.
“I am always working hard to make them proud and they play a huge part in my successes,” McCall said.
On April 13, the Eagles traveled to Clemson to compete against their newly recharted softball team. Although the double-header did not end in favor of Winthrop, the outcome did not surprise Gilreath due to Clemson’s top 20 national ranking.
“I am very proud that we held our own in the second game and did not back down. I think everyone enjoyed getting to see the new facilities and playing at Clemson. It was definitely an experience and I am grateful for it,” Gilreath said.
The Eagles are currently 22-22 overall, and having players setting career records is definitely helping keep the team motivated and doing their best.
“Macy is someone that is always going to be on base at some point in the game no matter what, so it makes the rest of us work even harder to score her. I also think the rest of the team looks up to Macy and she is such a great role model. I really think she’s made the biggest difference on the team this year,” said Gilreath.
“Transferring was never a plan that I had in mind, but I now understand that this was the path that I was supposed to end up on. I have made nineteen new lifelong friends and gained some pretty awesome coaches as well,” McCall said.
Next up, the Eagles will take on South Carolina State at home in Rock Hill with a double-header on April 21.
