Players Mentioned
INF
/ Softball
Photo by: Evan Pilat/Texas A&M Athletics
Get to Know: Mac Barbara
Jan 27, 2025 | Softball
Graduate Mac Barbara grew up in Long Beach California, joining the Aggies after playing the previous three seasons at San Diego State. She boasts a .368 career batting average with 45 home runs, while earning Mountain West Player of the Year 2022 and 2024. Barbara has been named a Preseason Top 100 player by Softball America and D1 Softball, while USA Softball named her to the preseason Top 53 Player of the Year Watch List.
Being a California Native, what is it like to play in Texas, what has your transition process been like?
"Playing in Texas is interesting since it is either really hot or cold, no in between. I miss my California weather, but it is also fun to play and be in a different environment. As far as my transition, it has been pretty cool, I have a lot of family in Texas, so sometimes I drive up to Dallas, so does not feel like I completely moved to a new state."
At what point in your recruitment process, did you decide to transfer to A&M?
"After the season, I did not want to focus on that during the season. I took visits in December and asked for A&M to hold off for a bit to focus on what I needed to do in the months of February through May. They were really respectful towards it, and I committed after the season."
How has the coaching staff helped you improve?
"Tons, since I am older, they help me maintain my life and prioritize things that are more important now that it is my last season. They've provided me guidance on the field and off the field coming up with a plan for a job after college."
What aspect of your game, would you say is your strongest?
"Offense is definitely my strongest suit, a lot of people have told me that I am very knowledgeable about hitting and reading pitchers. I do scouting reports for myself, as a way to force myself to watch film and get my game better.
What was your Fall Ball experience like?
"It was challenging, a lot harder than previous Fall Ball's, but we did not have the resources at San Diego State, compared to A&M. The intensity here is so much different because of the conference that we play in. I felt very behind about being tentative and trying to preserve my body to not hurt myself, but it was more mentally challenging than physically
How does it feel to be a top 100 player heading into this season?
"That's just someone's opinion, if that were me I would probably rank myself a bit lower compared to the amazing players in college Softball. A ranking is just a number, so it does not mean much to me. It is still cool to be on that list, but at the end of the day, it does not mean much."
What are your individual, and team goals, going into this season?
" Since it's my last season, my individual goal is to be SEC Player of the Year. I also want to be an All-American, I've been a third-team All-American, but this year I want to be no less than second. As a team, we all want to make it to the College World Series and win it. We were very close last year, and it's just taking that next step and getting past the hump to make it to Oklahoma City."
Favorite restaurant in Aggieland?
"I love Torchy's, I think that's a top place to go to for tacos, being a California, I miss my Mexican food. I am not a fan of "Tex-Mex" but I do like "Campfire" at the Stella Hotel, which is a nice steakhouse."
As a graduate, what are you pursuing, and what are your goals after your time at Texas A&M?
"I am studying Sports management for my Master's Degree, my goal after is to look for a coaching job. I want to be a college coach to give back to the game. I also notice a lot of players quitting because coaches are making them hate the game, I want to be the one that makes them love it again."
Which teammate, would you want to have a Home run Derby against?
"Probably Mya Perez, she is another power hitter. It doesn't matter who wins, it would just be a fun competition. It would be very close, she is a really good hitter for a young age, and I am an experienced player, but at the end of the day, a home run Derby is supposed to be fun."
If you could travel anywhere would it be, and why?
"In the future, I would want to go to Paris, I have a whole list, but I want to visit during the winter time. I also want to go to Greece, in the summertime. I live in Italy over the summertime either way, so it is not too far to take the train and it is only 50 Euros to fly from Italy to Greece."
Being a California Native, what is it like to play in Texas, what has your transition process been like?
"Playing in Texas is interesting since it is either really hot or cold, no in between. I miss my California weather, but it is also fun to play and be in a different environment. As far as my transition, it has been pretty cool, I have a lot of family in Texas, so sometimes I drive up to Dallas, so does not feel like I completely moved to a new state."
At what point in your recruitment process, did you decide to transfer to A&M?
"After the season, I did not want to focus on that during the season. I took visits in December and asked for A&M to hold off for a bit to focus on what I needed to do in the months of February through May. They were really respectful towards it, and I committed after the season."
How has the coaching staff helped you improve?
"Tons, since I am older, they help me maintain my life and prioritize things that are more important now that it is my last season. They've provided me guidance on the field and off the field coming up with a plan for a job after college."
What aspect of your game, would you say is your strongest?
"Offense is definitely my strongest suit, a lot of people have told me that I am very knowledgeable about hitting and reading pitchers. I do scouting reports for myself, as a way to force myself to watch film and get my game better.
What was your Fall Ball experience like?
"It was challenging, a lot harder than previous Fall Ball's, but we did not have the resources at San Diego State, compared to A&M. The intensity here is so much different because of the conference that we play in. I felt very behind about being tentative and trying to preserve my body to not hurt myself, but it was more mentally challenging than physically
How does it feel to be a top 100 player heading into this season?
"That's just someone's opinion, if that were me I would probably rank myself a bit lower compared to the amazing players in college Softball. A ranking is just a number, so it does not mean much to me. It is still cool to be on that list, but at the end of the day, it does not mean much."
What are your individual, and team goals, going into this season?
" Since it's my last season, my individual goal is to be SEC Player of the Year. I also want to be an All-American, I've been a third-team All-American, but this year I want to be no less than second. As a team, we all want to make it to the College World Series and win it. We were very close last year, and it's just taking that next step and getting past the hump to make it to Oklahoma City."
Favorite restaurant in Aggieland?
"I love Torchy's, I think that's a top place to go to for tacos, being a California, I miss my Mexican food. I am not a fan of "Tex-Mex" but I do like "Campfire" at the Stella Hotel, which is a nice steakhouse."
As a graduate, what are you pursuing, and what are your goals after your time at Texas A&M?
"I am studying Sports management for my Master's Degree, my goal after is to look for a coaching job. I want to be a college coach to give back to the game. I also notice a lot of players quitting because coaches are making them hate the game, I want to be the one that makes them love it again."
Which teammate, would you want to have a Home run Derby against?
"Probably Mya Perez, she is another power hitter. It doesn't matter who wins, it would just be a fun competition. It would be very close, she is a really good hitter for a young age, and I am an experienced player, but at the end of the day, a home run Derby is supposed to be fun."
If you could travel anywhere would it be, and why?
"In the future, I would want to go to Paris, I have a whole list, but I want to visit during the winter time. I also want to go to Greece, in the summertime. I live in Italy over the summertime either way, so it is not too far to take the train and it is only 50 Euros to fly from Italy to Greece."
Fall Ball Press Conference: Trisha Ford
Monday, October 06
Liberty Postgame: Texas A&M
Sunday, May 18
NCAA Regional Day 3: Liberty Postgame
Sunday, May 18
Highlights: Texas A&M 5, Liberty 6
Sunday, May 18
