EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The second signee under new University of Evansville head softball coach Bailey Dillender has been announced as Emma McDonald is transferring to UE following her freshman campaign at University of the Cumberlands.
 
Emma McDonald – Outfielder – Murfreesboro, Tenn.
 
After spending her freshman season at University of the Cumberlands, Emma McDonald makes the move with Coach Dillender to Evansville.  Named an MSC First Team All-Conference player in 2025, McDonald batted .384 with seven doubles and 26 RBIs in 46 games.  One of her top efforts came against Georgetown where she went 3-3 with two stolen bases.
 
In her time at Smyrna (Tenn.) High School, McDonald was a 2-time 2^nd Team All-State player while earning three All-District accolades.  She completed her senior season batting .535 while finishing at .356 as a junior and .421 in her freshman campaign.
 
Coach Dillender on McDonald – "Emma was one of the best freshmen in the country last year at the NAIA level, she won the job in RF for us early in the season and really never looked back. She has so many tools offensively with her speed, high contact rates, and overall approach at the plate. While defensively her ability to track down balls and plus arm strength gives us immediate options to lock down some consistency in our OF play."