John Mulholland had to take some time before talking about his daughter, McKenna “JoJo” Mulholland.
Minutes after walking McKenna down the third-base line for Ball State softball’s senior day, the tears that ran down his face were hidden by dark sunglasses.
“I don't think when she started playing when she was six [years old] that I expected it to be anything more than an opportunity to go out there and bond with my daughter,” John said. “To see her succeed and to be a leader on this team, to see her persevere and play 15 hours from home … It felt insurmountable, but she did it and I don't know that I have the words to describe it.”
Since the current redshirt junior started playing, Jon and McKenna’s mom, Lisa, never missed a game. When she came to Muncie four years ago, they wanted to continue the support and both have driven and flown to Indiana in every chance they’ve had.
But with only one home series and two total series left of the 2025 regular season, these trips to watch McKenna play the sport are ending. Because of that, he doesn’t want to miss the opportunity.
”It’s the whole cliché, right?” He said. “Every second you lose is time [wasted].”
Though Ball State softball lost the series to Buffalo — who swept the Cardinals in Saturday’s doubleheader 2-0 — countless family members and former Ball State softball players were in attendance to support the upperclassmen.
“Some of those girls were in my class. We came in as freshmen together,” redshirt senior McKayla Timmons said. “For them to come back and support us, it’s just amazing.”
Like John, McKayla’s parents, David and Katherine Timmons, have done similar things to watch their daughter take the field. Today, the pair watched her provide a highlight with a no-doubt, solo home run in the second game.
“We watched her grow and develop and persevere,” David said. “She overcame obstacles and became better and better, putting in the work. It’s a little bittersweet, but we’re extremely proud.”
Throughout all this, the parents of the Ball State softball program have become more than that. They’ve become a family.
Second-year Cardinals’ head coach Helen Peña said support like that leads to positive chemistry in a program. To her, this group of 10 seniors has been the key to laying the foundation for the future.
“They've been a blessing. They've been truly incredible when it comes to buying in when it comes to the culture that we want to build here,” she said. “Just the leadership, the personalities … They’re amazing people.”
But to the seniors, this has been their life for the last four and five years. After they were celebrated, they all spent time hugging each other and looking back on the journey.
McKenna made her rounds and embraced countless Cardinals who were sprinkled throughout the infield. With everything she's been through including the passing of her stepfather Joe, she said these teammates have become more than just that.
“It's just amazing what we've done with this program the past four years and it’s just really unbelievable,” McKenna said. “The legacy that this group of seniors is gonna leave is again insane. We all play for each other and we're all just a big family … This is your home away from home.”
Contact Zach Carter via email at zachary.carter@bsu.edu or via X @ZachCarter85.
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