Ashley McClain

Classroom

McClain graduated in the fall of 2011 with a degree in criminal justice and is pursuing a second degree in public administration. She was a two-time member of the 3.0 club and made the 2010-2011 Sun Belt Conference Honor Roll.

Character

For the past four years, McClain has also participated with her teammates in providing free softball clinics to local youth. She enjoys working with kids the most and being a role model for them. She always tries to emphasize the importance of perseverance and never giving up even when challenges seem overwhelming. She knows first hand that in order to be successful you must be willing to work hard. As someone who struggled in the classroom during her freshman year, she was driven to prove to herself that she could excel. As a result, she worked hard in the classroom with the same dedication she gives to her sport and graduated early. It’s her work ethic that inspires her teammates to do more. She is a quiet and humble leader.

Community

In 2011, McClain participated in the American Heart Association Heart Walk to raise money for the Heart Association. She also participated in the Dance Marathon in the Athletics Hour, an annual event to raise money for Miami Children’s Hospital. McClain was also part of the Friends of Jaclyn Program, matching with a local girl diagnosed with an incurable form of brain cancer. The year before, McClain joined the Walk Out of Darkness 5K to raise awareness about suicide. Finally, McClain spoke at Meadowlane Elementary to a group of learning disability students about the importance of education and working hard.

Competition

One of the greatest players to come through the FIU softball program, McClain is already the career leader in batting average and doubles. She will likely overtake several more categories before her time is done as she is also in the top-five in hits, RBI, home runs, and total bases. McClain is FIU’s only two-time NFCA All-South Region First Team member (2011 and 2010) and Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year winner, earning the award in 2010. Despite not repeating in 2011, McClain still managed to set an FIU single-season record with her .409 batting average while leading the team in hits, runs, doubles, home runs, RBI, total bases, slugging, and on base percentage. McClain also saw plenty of success in the circle during the 2011 campaign, leading the Panthers with a 2.56 ERA in 18 games, winning eight of those contests. McClain went the distance five times, including three shutouts. She was even more effective in SBC action, going 3-1 with a 1.91 ERA. McClain’s individual success has translated into success for the FIU squad, winning at least 30 games in each season of her career. In 2010, the Panthers put together one of the best seasons in program history by advancing to the NCAA Regional Championship. Now as a senior, McClain has her team set on knocking off a tough Louisiana-Lafayette team off the SBC perch and returning back to the NCAA tournament.