McDonald To Continue Career With Harlem Diamonds
May 25, 2016 | Softball
McDonald had a breakout year for the Bulldogs in 2005. She raised her season batting average over 100 points higher than the previous season batting .348 and led the Bulldogs into the NCAA postseason for a record fourth consecutive time, as well as a fifth appearance in the last six years. Facing elimination against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Saturday, she went 3-for-4 at the plate including the game-winning RBI single with two outs in the top of the eighth inning.
McDonald was recommended to the Harlem Diamonds management by both Mississippi State head coach Jay Miller and former MSU all-American Iyhia McMichael (2001-04), the 2004 National Pro Fastpitch league MVP.
I'm glad they called because she's very soft spoken and lets her play on the field do the talking, said Harlem Diamonds general manager Dale Moss. Her excellence both in softball and in the classroom makes Tanelda the kind of player we want representing our team, he added.
The Madison native was a member of the 2004 SEC Spring Academic Honor Roll while earning her degree in Risk Management, Insurance and Financial Planning. Her Harlem Diamonds season will be cut short in mid-August as she enters graduate school. Regardless, she looks forward to joining the Harlem Diamonds as soon as possible.
"I can have fun and play softball after college, which is fun," McDonald said. "And I love to work with kids. I want to let kids know, especially the minorities, that softball is a great sport."
The Harlem Diamonds will tour throughout the country this summer with a family-oriented softball show that includes tremendous athleticism, hilarious comedy routines, and a great deal of fan interaction. For more information contact the Harlem Diamonds at 970-472-1000 or check the website at www.harlemambassadors.com.
