Carson-Newman Softball Position Preview: Infielders
The second installment of Carson-Newman softball position previews dives into the new look infield with senior Macauley Bailey.
VIDEO: Macauley Bailey Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – The second installment of Carson-Newman softball position previews dives into the new look infield with senior Macauley Bailey.
Bailey enters her fourth season in Mossy Creek as one of the best to have donned the orange and blue. The Cross Plains native is the program leader with 48 home runs and 190 runs batted in her career so far. She is coming off another All-South Atlantic Conference First Team and All-Region campaign.
In 2025, Bailey hit .447 on the year with a .506 on-base percentage and .893 slugging, all career-best marks. Additionally, she had career-highs with 67 hits, 13 doubles and 18 home runs, adding to her previous record as the only player in the program with three straight seasons with 15 or more home runs. She also drove in 62 runs, becoming the first player in school history with three consecutive seasons with 60 or more RBIs.
"I keep my offseason simple, my dad and I will go to our local field, we'll hit, we'll break things down and go back to my basics," Bailey said. "Last year I had a knee injury, so coming back from that, trying to relearn how to keep my power while also keeping my knees safe."
However, as she enters her senior season, the infield around her will look very different. First baseman Brooklyn Lucero and All-American shortstop Hayden Dye are gone. A new face will be at second base, while Abbi Martin and Addie Saunders, who contributed last year, return to the outfield.
Dye has not fully departed from the program, joining the coaching staff as the Graduate Assistant Coach. Despite the change, they still learn from one another every day.
"We have that camaraderie where we both learn from each other," Bailey said. "We have that coach-to-player relationship, I respect you, you respect me, and she's still teaching me as I go."
Bailey will shift to first base in place of Lucero, as North Alabama transfer Grace Gregory occupies third base.
"Grace has really good bunt coverage, she's really locked it down at third base," Bailey said. "I grew up with Grace, she was at my rival high school, so I've seen her grow throughout her career. To have this bittersweet, we're coming to the end of our careers, and we end up at the same school, was very funny."
The new middle infield duo features two freshmen, with Reese Winchester at second base and Malyiah Smith filling the void at shortstop. Winchester, a native of San Diego, California, has been turning heads with her defense.
"Reese has made some awesome plays at second base. I've seen some diving catches, some dives with flips from the glove to get the double play," Bailey said. "I haven't seen that in my years here. Her range of motion is so broad, and that'll cover up some gaps."
As for Smith, she hails from Knoxville and is one of four lefty hitters on the team.
"Mayliah had a fantastic fall season, she's a slapper, so she's hitting in the gap, she's taking the extra bases," Bailey said. "Just to have someone like that when I'm the three-hole hitter, to give me the opportunity to score the run, that speaks volumes."
Junior Wynter Morris is the designated hitter, after appearing in 45 contests with 26 starts across her first two seasons. Another name to keep an eye on is Santana Anderson, who is returning from injury. The senior will be an outfielder and can also shift to play first base.
There is a ton of position flexibility across the board, which is a blessing and a curse for head coach Michael Graves. He is prepared to tinker with the lineup as the season progresses.
"Once we get Santana back, we will have to get creative with the lineup," Graves said. "Mac and Wynter can play both corners, Santana can play in the outfield or first base, and Grace can play third and outfield. Ideally, we would like to keep all four bats in the lineup."
Katey Mathena is a player who can appear at second base, as well as behind the plate. Additionally, freshman Sarah Walker had a strong fall and could see time as a two-way player.
"Sarah Walker had some good at-bats in the fall," Graves said. "So, we are going to need to work her in at first base or DH, when she's not pitching."
Heading into the 2026 campaign, there are high expectations for Bailey as she prepares for her final season with the Eagles, while also not taking it for granted.
"This is my last time playing, last time lacing up the cleats. So just being grateful for my time here, softball teaches you a lot about life challenges," Bailey said. "I want to win a conference championship. I want to get a ring. I want to go to these tournaments and show that Carson-Newman's here, and we have our name back."
The Carson-Newman softball position previews conclude on Monday, January 25th, with a look at the outfield with senior Abbi Martin.
