Maclai Branson enters her second season as an assistant coach with the University of Sioux Falls softball program in 2026-27. Branson brings an extensive playing and coaching background spanning NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, and professional international competition, providing the Cougars with a wealth of experience in player development, game strategy, and leadership.
Branson completed her first season on the USF coaching staff in 2025-26, helping guide the Cougars to a 28-28 overall record. Drawing on her experience at multiple collegiate levels, she played an integral role in developing an offense that produced 358 hits and a pitching staff that compiled 337 strikeouts over 367.2 innings. She helped mentor ace Maddi Duncan to one of the finest pitching seasons in program history, earning First-Team All-NSIC honors, three NSIC Pitcher of the Week awards, a Chick-fil-A Athlete of the Month selection, and recognition on the NFCA Division II Pitcher of the Year Watch List.
Branson also helped foster one of the program's strongest academic years, contributing to three NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence honors, four NSIC All-Academic selections, two NSIC Myles Brand All-Academic with Distinction awards, and a CorTrust Scholar-Athlete designation for Addison Heule.
A native of Kentucky, Branson began her collegiate playing career at the University of Kentucky in 2018. As an infielder for the Wildcats, she helped Kentucky reach both an NCAA Regional and NCAA Super Regional in 2019 while competing in one of the nation's premier conferences.
She transferred to Miami University in 2020 and enjoyed tremendous team success with the RedHawks, helping the program capture three Mid-American Conference championships and make two NCAA Regional appearances. During her time at Miami, Branson earned her bachelor's degree in sports leadership and management with a minor in business.
Branson concluded her collegiate playing career at Thomas More University in 2022, where she competed as an infielder while earning her master's degree in organizational management and ethical leadership.
Following her playing career, Branson quickly transitioned into coaching. She served as an assistant coach at Thomas More University from 2023-24 before taking her talents overseas as a player/coach in Germany during the summer of 2024. She later joined the staff at West Virginia State University as an assistant coach in the fall of 2024 and spent the summer of 2025 as an assistant coach with the Wausau Ignite of the Northwoods League, focusing on player development and competitive training.
Known for her ability to connect with student-athletes and develop talent at multiple levels, Branson has quickly established herself as a rising coach in the collegiate softball ranks.
USF Records and Accomplishments
- Helped guide the program to a 28-28 record in her first season
- Coached one First-Team All-NSIC selection
- Coached one NFCA Division II Pitcher of the Year Watch List honoree
- Coached three NSIC Pitcher of the Week awards
- Coached one Chick-fil-A Athlete of the Month honoree
- Contributed to three NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence honors
- Mentored four NSIC All-Academic selections
- Contributed to two NSIC Myles Brand All-Academic with Distinction honorees
- Helped mentor one CorTrust Scholar-Athlete
Playing and Coaching Highlights
- NCAA Super Regional participant at Kentucky
- Three-time Mid-American Conference champion at Miami University
- Two NCAA Regional appearances at Miami University
- Former player/coach in Germany
- Former assistant coach at Thomas More University
- Former assistant coach at West Virginia State University
- Former assistant coach with the Wausau Ignite of the Northwoods League
