Emily McCandless is giving Holy Cross a steady bat and versatile infield/catching depth
In the 2026 season, Emily McCandless has shown she can contribute right away for Holy Cross with timely contact hitting and run production—she’s already been part of multiple key offensive moments, including extra-base damage and run-driving hits in conference play. The differentiator here is versatility: she gives the Crusaders lineup flexibility by handling catcher/infield duties, which is valuable for roster construction and late-game matchups. She also arrives with a strong amateur résumé, highlighted by a .343 average, 14 home runs, 57 RBI and a 1.183 OPS in summer 2023, suggesting real middle-of-the-order upside if her game keeps translating upward.