At 5-foot-2, Sara MacDonald isn’t built to stand out… until the game starts.

The Maple Ridge, B.C. shortstop, a 2028 grad and Team Canada U15 alum, has built her game around consistency. Not the highlight-reel kind, but the type coaches rely on when the game tightens and every play matters.

She makes the routine plays cleanly, keeps the pace under control, and carries herself in a way that settles the field around her.

“Softball isn’t just a sport to me, it’s my identity,” Sara says. “I’ve become obsessed with it.”

That mindset shows up in how she works.

A lot of it happens away from the field, repeating the same movements until they become second nature. Footwork, transfers, positioning—nothing flashy, but all of it shows when the speed of the game picks up and there’s no time to think.

Sara’s already experienced what that looks like at a higher level, representing Canada with the U15 National Team and competing in Mexico and Italy. The game moves faster there and there’s less margin for error, which only reinforced the standard she holds herself to.

One of her biggest moments came at Provincials, with her team down a run in the 7^th inning and a Nationals berth on the line. She swung at the first pitch and smacked a walk-off triple, a moment that confirmed her ability to handle pressure but didn’t change how she approaches the game.

Sara is working towards playing Division I softball and understands that getting there comes down to consistency over time. Not just making plays, but making them every inning and every game against top competition.

That’s where her focus has been, and it’s what continues to separate her.

Line Drive’s Tyler Johnstone recently caught up with Sara to learn more about her drive to excel and, as she puts it, “to be the best softball player I can be.”

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Background & Passion

What made you want to play softball in the first place—was there a moment or person that really sparked it?

From the beginning, I was drawn to the competition. I didn’t just enjoy playing, I wanted to be great at it. The feeling of being challenged, failing, and coming back better is what pulled me in. Over time, it stopped being just something I did and became part of who I am.

I started watching softball at a really young age, and since then I’ve watched almost every college softball highlight game on YouTube. I practically grew up at the ball field, especially since both of my older sisters played, so being around the game was constant.

One person who really sparked my love for softball was Larissa Franklin from Team Canada. I even wrote a speech about her back in Grade 4, and I still remember how excited I was when I got my first softball signed by her at Softball City during the Canada Cup.

Another moment that stuck with me was going to Oklahoma and watching the Women’s College World Series in person. Seeing athletes compete at that level was unreal. Watching Janae Jefferson play for the Texas Longhorns really inspired me.

Experiences like that didn’t just make me love the game more, they made me realize how far I want to go with it. 

Where does your passion for the game come from now—what keeps you pushing when things get tough?

My passion comes from the standard I’ve set for myself. It comes from watching college softball and chasing a level that requires discipline every single day and constant work.

When things get tough, I don’t rely on motivation, I rely on my dream of becoming a Division 1 softball player. I know what I’m working toward, and I’m not willing to fall short of that because I took a day off.

My passion also comes from wanting to be the best softball player I can be, not just for myself, but for my community.

I want to be a role model; someone younger athletes can look up to the same way I looked up to players like Larissa Franklin and Janae Jefferson. That responsibility pushes me even more, because I know it’s bigger than just me.

It’s about setting an example through my work ethic, discipline, and commitment to the game.

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Development as an Infielder

Who really taught you how to play infield at a high level, and what are the biggest things they emphasized early on?

My coaches Gary Waterman, Katie Ross, Jimmy Ross, Kim Brooks along with my family, including my mom, my dad, and my three sisters, built my foundation. They pushed me to think beyond just fundamentals.

I was taught early on that it was about footwork, angles, and consistency, but also about having quick feet, quick hands, and clean, fast transfers. The details mattered, and they still do.

The bigger lesson, though, was accountability, being the player on the field who leads and always communicates, even after errors.

I am a reliable infielder, and the confidence I have in myself comes from trusting that I can make every single play, no matter the situation.

What sets me apart is my quick thinking and game awareness. I have strong game knowledge, so I’m always finding ways to make a play happen. Every rep matters and every mistake is a chance to adjust. That mindset is what elevated my game.

A big part of that comes from the people who believed in me early, my coaches and my family. Those coaches took me in and supported me as a young player, and I’ve been with Pride 2009A since I was 7 years old, as a 2010 playing on a 2009 team.

They set expectations for me that I didn’t even know I could reach at the time and pushed me to grow into them, holding me accountable and helping shape both my skill and my mindset.

What does your infield training actually look like right now—what are you working on that most people wouldn’t see?

Most of my work is detail focused and repetitive. I’m constantly working on first-step quickness, clean transfers, and body positioning. It’s not always flashy, it’s controlled, intentional work.

No one sees that repetition can help so much even just doing dailies in my room with a wall. No one sees the quiet training; everyone always sees the outcome. I’m building habits so that in high pressure moments I don’t have to think, I just execute.

What separates an average shortstop from an elite one?

Consistency and control.

Anyone can make a great play, but elite players make the routine play every single time under pressure. They lead, communicate, and take ownership of the field. There’s no drop off in focus, no matter the situation.

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Canada vs U.S. Perspective

We’ve interviewed a lot of pitchers across Canada but not nearly as many position players—what do you see as the biggest difference in how position players are developed in Canada compared to the U.S.?

The U.S. has more access to high level competition year-round, which naturally raises the pace of development. In Canada, you must be more intentional. You have to seek out opportunities and push yourself outside your environment.

Where I live, we don’t always get the best weather year-round, which can make it harder to consistently train and compete at a high level, but that just adds another layer to the discipline.

It forces you to stay committed, find ways to get your work in, and not make excuses. 

You’ve played internationally with Team Canada—how did the speed of the game compare to what you’re used to at home?

International play exposed me to a completely different level of speed and precision. The game moves faster, the athletes are sharper, and there’s no time to hesitate.

Every decision has to be made instantly, and every movement must be efficient and controlled. It really pushes you to stay locked in on every pitch and be fully present in every moment.

It also forces you to trust your preparation completely. There’s no second-guessing out there, you have to rely on the work you’ve put in and play with confidence.

That experience helped me grow a lot as a player, especially when it comes to staying calm under pressure and reacting quickly in high-level situations.

It showed me what it takes to compete at that level and pushed me to keep raising my standards.

When you came back from international play, what was one thing you realized you needed to improve right away?

When I came back, I realized that one of the biggest areas I needed to improve was my physical strength. Competing at higher levels showed me that speed and skill are important, but strength plays a big role in how consistent and explosive you can be throughout a game.

I noticed that getting stronger would help me with everything—more power in my throws, quicker and more controlled movements in the infield, and more stability when fielding tough plays under pressure.

It also impacts endurance, especially when playing multiple games in a day or long tournament weekends.

That experience made it clear that to reach the next level, I need to keep developing my strength so I can match the physical demands of top-level competition and continue to perform at a high standard every time I step on the field.

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Defining Moments

That walk-off triple at Provincials—what do you remember most about that moment, and how did it change your confidence after?

I remember the pressure, I remember being in the bottom of the 7th inning and my team was down by one. The score was 2-1 and I remember telling myself: “Trust your process, this is your time, you are the best.”

I remember swinging at the first pitch and, boom!, it was a walk off triple to help my team win the game and to give us a berth for Canadian Nationals!

At that moment, I trusted my preparation and trusted my skill.  When I hit the ball, it wasn’t about the outcome, it was about executing. That moment reinforced that I can perform under pressure and be someone my team can rely on.

That moment was one of my proudest moments knowing I get to continue playing with my best friends. 

What are some of the key accomplishments you’ve achieved in your softball career so far?

Representing Canada on the U15 National Team is my biggest accomplishment so far.

Competing in Mexico and Italy showed me what the next level looks like and what it demands, and it raised my expectations for myself.

Being a part of the BC Summer Games and winning Gold for Zone 3 was another huge moment in my career. It showed me what it takes to compete and succeed at a high level while representing something bigger than myself.

Here are some of my softball career highlights:

• Ridge Meadows Pride 2009A 
• 2019 U10A Provincial Champs
• 2021 U12 Provincial Champs 
• 2022 U13A Provincial Silver Medalists 
• 2023 U15A Provincial Bronze Medalists 
• 2024 U15A Provincial Silver Medalists 

You spend time mentoring younger players—how has the game and talent level changed from when you were their age to what you see now?

The game is faster and more competitive at a younger age now, but what hasn’t changed is what separates players: work ethic, discipline, and mindset. Talent might get you noticed, but consistency is what keeps you there.

Mentoring younger players has also taught me patience and shown me a different side of the game, not just playing, but coaching. It’s helped me understand the game at a deeper level and made me more aware of how I lead, communicate, and set an example for others.

One of the most meaningful parts of that experience is having my little sister on one of the teams I help mentor. Being able to guide her and support her development has made it even more personal for me. It pushes me to be a better leader, because she’s not only watching what I say, but how I act and carry myself.

Overall, those experiences have helped me grow beyond just being a player. They’ve shaped how I see the game and how I show up for others, both on and off the field.

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Recruiting & Future

How has your recruiting journey been so far, and what have you learned through the process?

As a member of the 2028 class, my recruiting journey has been both exciting and uncertain.

With the current NCAA rules, there’s a lot that feels out of my control, which makes the process more challenging. Because of that, I’ve learned how important it is to stay consistent and proactive, regularly sending emails, updating my highlight videos, and making sure coaches can see my progress.

At the same time, I’ve realized that the most important thing I can control is my development on the field. Staying focused on improving my game, putting in the work every day, and trusting the process has been a big part of my mindset.

Overall, this experience has taught me patience, discipline, and how to take initiative even when there’s uncertainty. Even as a 2028, I’m really excited for the process ahead and looking forward to finding the right program.  

You have goals of playing Division I and eventually pro—what do you think is the biggest gap you still need to close to get there?

The biggest gap I still need to close to reach my D1 and pro goals is consistency at an elite level in every part of my game.

It’s not just about making the routine plays, it’s about executing under pressure, being sharp every single inning, and limiting mistakes against top competition.

Offensively, it’s continuing to develop into a more complete hitter, being able to adjust to different pitching, control counts, and produce in key situations.

Another part of that gap is physical and mental development, getting stronger, faster, and more explosive, while also building an even tougher mindset.

At the next level, everyone is talented, so what separates players is discipline, confidence, and the ability to stay locked in no matter the moment. I’m focused on closing that gap by being intentional with my training, competing against the best, and holding myself to a higher standard every day.

When college coaches watch you, what do you think they might miss if they only see you for one game?

If coaches only see me for one game, they might miss the consistency and mindset that define me as a player. One game doesn’t always show how I adjust, how I respond to failure, or how I build throughout a weekend or a season.

What really sets me apart is my ability to stay steady, I don’t get too high or too low, and I compete the same way every inning, every game.

They might also miss my leadership and communication. I’m someone who’s constantly talking, keeping energy up, and staying engaged with my teammates, even when things aren’t going perfectly.

A single game can’t fully show my work ethic, my preparation, or how much I value every rep. Over time, that consistency, discipline, and mindset are what separate me.

If you could go to any university, which one would it be and why?

One school that really stands out to me is the University of Washington. I had the opportunity to attend a camp there, and the environment really left an impression on me. The coaching staff, the energy of the team, and the overall culture of the program all stood out in a really positive way.

Being there showed me the level I want to reach and motivated me to keep pushing myself every day. It’s the kind of environment where you’re challenged to be your best while also being supported, and that’s something I really value in a program.

One of my Team Canada coaches once told me I remind her of a mini-Sis Bates, which meant a lot to me. She’s an incredible shortstop, and hearing that pushed me to keep working, keep improving, and continue developing as both a player and a teammate.

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Sara’s 2026 Stats w/ Ridge Meadows Pride 09A

• Batting Average: .455
• On-Base Percentage (OBP): .554
• Slugging Percentage (SLG): .636
• OPS: 190
• RBIs: 17
• Singles (1B): 14
• Doubles (2B): 5 
• Home Runs (HR): 1 
• Fielding Percentage (FPCT): .949
• Putouts (PO): 37 

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Sara MacDonald — Recruiting Information

• Grad Year: 2028
• Height: 5’2
• High School: Samuel Robertson Technical Secondary School  
• Position: SS / Utility
• Teams: Ridge Meadows Pride 2009A, Synergy
• National Team: Represented Canada (U15)
• International Experience:
  • World Qualifier – Mexico (4th place)
  • World Championship – Italy
• Major Achievements:
  • BC Summer Games Gold Medalist
  • Walk-off triple at Provincials to clinch Nationals berth
• Leadership / Character:
  • Mentors & coaches younger teams (2015A, 2011A)
  • Invested in growing the game beyond herself
• Goals:
  • NCAA Division I softball
  • Professional softball

Social Media:

• X: SaraMacDonaldSS
• Instagram: sara.mac.33

Recruiting Profile: CLICK HERE

Coach Reference:  

• Name: Gary Waterman
• Relationship: Head Coach
• Email: g_waterman@hotmail.com