GREENVILLE – Greenville senior Ella McLear signed to continue her softball career playing for the Bluffton Lady Beavers while continuing her education with studies in Exercise Science.
McLear the daughter of Mary and Jared McLear plans to continue her education following graduation from Bluffton to become an Athletic Trainer.
“I never thought I would end up at Bluffton but I got an email from the coach and decided to visit,” said McLear. “The campus is super nice and the coach is super nice. I hear from her all the time, we stay in touch constantly so it just felt like a good fit.”
“Ella is a solid kid, a four-year player,” said Lady Wave coach Jerrod Newland. “She has battled a few injuries and is just hitting the snot out of the ball. She plays good third base and outfield.”
The Lady Wave senior class just recently won their 100th career varsity game and now stands at 102 victories with a lot of ball yet to play. Season records include 2021 31-2; 2022 26-6; 2023 including a Final Four finish 29-5; and 2024 16-4 to date.
“I love my senior group, they’ve been with me all four years,” McLear stated. “They’ve always been there for me and the rest of the team is very supportive. Every girl gets along this year which is awesome.”
“Coach Newland has taught me a lot of discipline and how to keep your head up and keep going even when you make a mistake and to tune people out,” she said of her coach. “Keeping your head up attitude and always pushing forward no matter what.”
Coach Paige Jansen leads the Lady Beavers softball program playing in the Heartland Conference including Franklin, Transylvania, Rose-Hulman, Manchester, Mount St. Joseph, Defiance, Earlham, Hanover, Bluffton, and Anderson.
“Just so proud of Ella and her family – and Mrs. McLear the best teacher in Greenville City Schools elementary,” Newland said. “Everybody’s kid wants Mrs. McLear and that is just awesome how good Mary does in the classroom and what a great mom she is to three girls and Jared a teacher himself too down at Dayton. Just a solid man. Guess he was quite a Greenville dude back in his day before my time.”
“Just a good family, they do it right and so proud of them with sisters Emily and Molly, solid students – they did it right and as parents that is what you do,” Coach Newland added. “The McLear’s are an amazing family. Hats off to them. Ella is going to do so well at Bluffton – so proud of her.”
