Lawson throwing self into the ring at Mt. St. Joseph University for softball

While people can catch her at track meets come spring time, next year MacKinley Lawson will be back to throwing on the diamond at the collegiate level after signing on to play softball at Mt. St. Joseph University starting in the 2024-25 school year. With MacKinley at the signing were mother Heather and father Chad.

Banner Graphic/TRENT SCOTT

North Putnam has recently had a string of athletes sign to continue playing softball at the collegiate level in recent years and added another player to that growing list recently.

MacKinley Lawson recently signed on to join the burgeoning softball program at Mount St. Joseph University ahead of the 2024-25 school year, citing the school’s size and location as important factors in her decision.

“It is a small school but it’s in a big city,” Lawson said about the school, which is near the Ohio River on the western side of Cincinnati. “I want to study either nursing or to be a physician assistant and there is a great hub of hospitals to go to.

“With an additional class, I could also minor in Spanish. The campus is small and it feels like home. It’s a place to get a great education with a great softball program.”

Lawson added the facilities gave the university a modern feel while still keeping a small-school feel in place.

“I liked all the facilities the school has,” Lawson said. “They have a turf center, a great weight room and classroom sizes are small.

“The ratio of students to professors was important to me because I like interpersonal teaching and classes felt personal at Mt. St. Joeseph.”

What was different from most signings was that Lawson is currently a member of the North Putnam track and field program, having played softball as a freshman and sophomore before switching sports.

The Cougar senior continued to play travel ball with Indiana Gators and will be playing for Texas Bombers in the future but said an injury as a sophomore gave her a chance to step back and reevaluate what path she wanted to take.

“I played as a freshman and was on the softball roster as a sophomore but broke my wrist,” Lawson explained. “I got to thinking that I was getting a little bit burnt out on softball but still wanted to play in college.

“I decided to do track as a junior, doing shot put and discus, both of which helped strengthen my shoulders. The recruitment process was still the same, reaching out to schools through my travel coaches for visits.”

The Lions have become a prominent member of the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference in softball in recent seasons, having been knocked out of postseason play by DePauw in 2021 before reaching the Super Regional round in 2022.

“The softball program is doing great,” Lawson said. “They have picked up nine recruits in my class so far.

“They are looking at me at third base, catcher or as a power hitter, which is what I do for my teams.”

While Lawson enjoyed the small school feel, the school being several hours away was going to take time to get used to, as would be the demands of a softball schedule and long hours of study.

“The biggest adjustment will be time management,” Lawson said. “We have weights in the morning, classes are at different times than high school and it’s pretty far away from home.

“I’ll have to get used to being a further distance away and balancing everything.”

Though still some time off, Lawson said the chance to continue playing softball collegiately was one she was looking forward to.

“I’m very excited,” Lawson said. “I can’t wait to meet new people and get to work out with the softball team.

“It’s going to be great.”