SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State head softball coach Holly Hesse announced Wednesday the commitments of Sidney McLaughlin, Makenzi Swick, Emily Chadwick and Abby Ford to the MSU softball program. All four will enter Missouri State as freshmen next fall.  
 
Sidney McLaughlin • C • 5-8 • Fr. • Stillwater, Okla. • Stillwater High
A four-year starter for Stillwater High School and two-time state finalist, McLaughlin hit for a .443 average with 36 RBI, 7 home runs and 0 strikeouts as a senior. In her senior season, McLaughlin was the 6A state leader in doubles and fewest strikeouts, while placing in the top five in home runs on her way to 6A All-State honors. The right-handed catcher was named to the 6A all-district first team three times in her career, while earning 6A-2 District Player of the Year as a junior. McLaughlin was named to the All-COAC first team after batting for a career-high .464 average along with seven home runs as a freshman as part of a Pioneers team that won a regional championship and advanced to the state finals.
 
Coach Hesse on McLaughlin:
"Sidney is an all-state player behind the plate that brings a great arm and a big bat to our team.  She controls the tempo of every game by being a leader from her position.  Baserunners will feel her presence immediately and we are thrilled to welcome Sidney to our catching corps."
 
Makenzi Swick • P • 5-6 • Fr. • Stillwater, Okla.• Stillwater High
Swick, a right-handed pitcher, earned first-team all-state honors and was named 6A-3 All-District Pitcher of the Year after earning 21 wins and holding a 2.08 earned run average in the circle as a senior. A four-year starter for the Stillwater High School Pioneers, Swick became the school's career leader in strikeouts with 524 and broke the single-season strikeouts record with 238 in her senior campaign. Swick helped lead her Pioneers squad to three regional championship titles and three trips to the state tournament in her career, while adding two COAC first-team laurels to her individual accomplishments in her junior and senior seasons.
 
Coach Hesse on Swick:
"Makenzi is an all-state pitcher who dominated her way to the Oklahoma state high school tournament.  Her unshakeable demeanor on the mound and her ability to work the corners and change speeds keeps hitters off balance.  She is a talented athlete who fields her position well, and we look forward to adding Makenzi to our pitching staff."
 
Emily Chadwick • OF • 5-8 • Fr. • St. Charles, Mo. • Francis Howell Central High
As a senior, Chadwick helped lead the Francis Howell Central High Spartans to their first-ever conference championship and to the program's best finish in the Missouri state tournament with a second-place mark. Chadwick earned first-team all-district honors four times in her career, while also garnering three first-team all-conference laurels. In her final season as a Spartan, Chadwick broke the single-season and career doubles record while also breaking the single-season hits record, which she previously set herself. She was also named to the all-state first team following her senior campaign. The left-handed hitter burst onto the scene as a sophomore, hitting a career-high .525 with a .580 on-base percentage, then continued her dominance by breaking the school's career hits record as a junior. She also garnered multiple academic awards throughout her high school career.

Coach Hesse on Chadwick:
"Emily is a dynamic and athletic outfielder who could come in and play first base at any time.   She has an amazing first step and knows right away what to do with the ball.  Emily is a competitor at the plate who battles for her team in the box.  We are excited to add Emily to our lineup!"

Abby Ford • OF • 5-2 • Fr. • Ozark, Mo. • Ozark HS
A three-time first-team all-region selection, Ford was a three-year starter at Ozark (Mo.) High School. During her senior campaign, Ford broke Ozark's school record with 57 hits and tied for the second-most triples in a single season in the state of Missouri with 13.  She also hit for a career-high .479 average and tied the school record with 26 stolen bases on her way to second-team all-state honors in her final season . As a freshman, Ford helped lead the Tigers to district and conference championships and an appearance in the state quarterfinals with a .459 average and 39 hits on the year.
 
Coach Hesse on Ford:
"We love Abby's speed and her ability to cover ground and track down balls in the outfield gaps. She has made several acrobatic catches defensively and we look forward to seeing her add that level of play with the Bears. Offensively, she is a table-setter who can be a spark with her speed down the line and her steal potential.  We are excited to add a local talent to our roster."