Story By Jason Bowen
After nearly a year as a Snead State softball commit, Darcy McClendon is now officially a Snead State signee.
McClendon celebrated signing with Snead State Community College in Boaz during a recent signing ceremony at North Jackson High School.
McClendon committed to Snead State last December and said she never reconsidered the decision.
“I had two offers after Snead offered me, but I never really thought about going somewhere else,” McClendon said. “I knew it was the place as soon as I got on campus and met with coach Tracy (Grindrod) and Coach Kaitlyn (Clark). They mentioned God and family above all. When I went to the camps, it was perfect the whole time. I just knew it was the place for me.”
McClendon first saw varsity action as an eighth-grader for North Jackson and will enter the 2026 season as her third year as the Chiefs’ primary starting pitcher. She had 96 strikeouts and a 3.15 ERA in 122 innings pitched last season while also batting .365 (31-for-85) with a .432 on-base percentage, five doubles, one triple and 20 RBIs. She finished her sophomore year 23-6 with two saves in the circle with a 2.13 ERA and 120 strikeouts in 164 2/3 innings pitched while going 6-1 with a 1.45 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 48 1/3 innings her freshman year.
After scouting McClendon and watching her during a Snead State camp, Grindrod extended her an offer to join the Parsons softball program.
“We felt like she would fit in with our family here at Snead really well,” Grindrod said. “She’s very coachable, has the right attitude, approaches the game right. She knows how to get batters out.”
Grindrod said McClendon “knows how to pitch” and how to attack hitters.
“Strikeouts are good, but when they get to the collegiate level, can (college pitcher prospects) pitch to contact and get outs? She does a good job of that,” Grindrod said.
McClendon expects to face strong competition in Alabama’s highly competitive Alabama Community College Conference league.
“I’ll be playing against a lot people I’ve played against my whole life and playing against some prior teammates,” she said. “It’ll be very competitive but very fun.”
McClendon called her time playing for North Jackson “an honor” and hopes to make her senior year next spring a memorable one.
I’m thankful to get to play this game,” she said. “Just being able to represent my community and my school, it’s just been more than I could ask for. I love it here and love everything we stand for.”
New North Jackson head coach Josie Thompson, a North Jackson alum and former Wallace State/UAH pitcher, said the Chiefs will be counting McClendon’s experience and leadership abilities next season.
“She’s one of the best kind of players you could ask for. She’s always doing what she should be doing, she’s always leading by example, and that’s all a coach can ask for,” Thompson said. “She’s had a lot of experience, so she knows what this team needs and I think the younger kids can lean on her.”
