Breaking News: Mississippi State Signee at School Where 17 Killed

The softball world was not immune to the horrible shooting that took place Wednesday at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida where 17 were killed and at least 14 injured.

Extra Inning Softball has confirmed that Mississippi State 2018 signee Jackie McKenna was at the school but a source in her club organization, the Jersey Intensity, said of the senior catcher, “Yes that is true (McKenna was at the school), but she is OK and safe.”

However, other athletes were not so fortunate: the Washington Post is reporting that the victims included the Athletic Director and wrestling coach Chris Hixon, assistant football coach Aaron Feis along with athletes Nick Dworet, a swimmer who signed last week with the Univ. of Indianapolis, and soccer player Alyssa Alhadeff, who played with the Parkland Soccer Club.

ESPN is also reporting that girls’ basketball player Maddy Wilford was one of the wounded and underwent surgery this morning. The exten of her injuries have not been revealed.

McKenna signed with the Mississippi State program during last November’s early signing period and was the fourth inked as part of the 2018 class.

In a release issued by the Bulldogs’ Sports Information Dept., Head Coach Vann Stuedeman said of McKenna, “”Jackie comes to us from the fertile recruiting grounds of south Florida,” Stuedeman said.

“Known as one of the best defenders in her region, she offers arm strength behind the plate. She brings a level of toughness and grit at the catching positions that we’re excited about. She is a natural leader, and we can’t wait to have her on campus.”

As a junior last spring, she batted .378 and had 14 doubles and knocked in 26 RBI to earn 2^nd Team All-State and 1^st Team All-Broward County honors. Defensively, her fielding percentage was .955 and she only committed three errors all season behind the plate.

McKenna led her Lady Eagles to a district championship and to the regional finals as a junior.

The Florida standout also helped led the Jersey Intensity to a top 15 finish at PGF Nationals last summer and had a strong week batting .500 (8-for-16) in four games. Her at-bats and hits led Eileen Hannigan’s team as did her three doubles.

Jackie comes from an athletic family as her father played collegiate baseball at Mercy College and her brother John is currently playing baseball at Army.

Extra Inning Softball will have more updates as the story develops.