Annicka McLaughlin is Gardner-Webb’s steady table-setter and clutch defender in the middle of the diamond
In the 2026 season, Annicka McLaughlin has been a key two-way contributor for Gardner-Webb, following a 2025 campaign in which she hit .328 with 46 hits and 48 total bases, and she kept making winning plays during the Bulldogs’ 2026 Big South tournament run, including a diving defensive gem in the semifinal loss. At 5'3" but playing much bigger than the frame suggests, she brings contact hitting, versatility, and a high-effort, always-on style that coaches tend to love. She looks like the kind of smart, gritty utility player who helps stabilize a lineup and a defense.
