CHESHIRE—Jordan McCue knows all too well that in the sport of softball, things can change rather quickly.
A hit destined for the gap can be nullified by a spectacular diving catch. A sure fire second-to-home RBI can be gunned down by an outfielder with an arm. And, sometimes, one college commitment can fall by the wayside because a coaching staff unexpected leaves.
The latter is something McCue, a rising senior at Cheshire High, knows all too well because she lived it.
After committing to play at Iona earlier in her junior year, the entire coaching staff left the Bronx-based school after just one season.
McCue, in turn, soon decommitted from Iona in search of another home.
She found one not very far away from her Cheshire home.
McCue announced on social media recently that she has committed to play for the UConn Huskies in the fall of 2026, following her senior year at Cheshire.
“One of the big reasons I committed to Iona was because I really liked the coaches, but once they left, I decided to decommit,” McCue said.
Thankfully, plenty of schools were still interested in the Cheshire second baseman, who is also an outstanding center fielder for her CT Impact travel program.
UConn, amongst other schools, had been recruiting McCue prior to her Iona commitment, and the Huskies reached out again upon hearing that her Iona plans had fallen through.
“It was good to know they were still interested in me,” McCue said. “They quickly became my new No. 1.”
The Huskies, who won the BIG EAST championship last spring, were 35-19 and qualified for the NCAA Tournament.
“It feels really good to represent my state and they play at a really high level,” McCue said. “I’m so thrilled I’ll get a chance to try and play a role for them.”
Cheshire head coach Kristine Drust is thrilled McCue will get a chance to play for the Huskies.
“Jordan is such a special player and human,” Drust said. “She brings so much dynamically to the team and to the field. Her vulnerability on and off the field is a culture builder for our program. She plays fast and she plays gritty. In my opinion, she is one of the best ball players in Connecticut, and it’s not a surprise that UConn didn’t skip a beat when she decommitted.”
Drust knows the coaching staff at UConn very well and is equally happy to know that McCue will be in good hands at the next level.
“I’m so happy and grateful she will be moving on to play for a great staff of coaches and humans,” Drust said. “These players become like daughters to me and there just is nothing better than seeing them find a home that will love them back. UConn is a program rich with a high level of excellence, and I know Jordan will add to that reputation of excellence as soon as she arrives on campus as a Husky. But first one more season as a Ram!”
Last spring, McCue was a key cog in Cheshire’s run to the CIAC Class LL state championship, which the Rams won with a 2-0 win over Ridgefield.
McCue led off that game for Cheshire and deposited the third pitch she saw over the left field fence for a 1-0 Rams lead.
So while McCue and the Rams will be focused on chasing a repeat in 2026, beyond that the sky is the limit for her, no matter where the UConn coaching staff plays her.
“Jordan came to us two years ago and she’s been a delight ever since she walked in,” added Mike Santiago, who coached McCue with the CT Impact. “She’s super athletic kid who just loves the game, plays with a big smile and has an absolute cannon for an arm. She wants to be in every big moment and her staying home and keeping it in our back yard is so great. We love to have Connecticut kids stay in Connecticut.”
McCue hopes to major in elementary education and to someday give back to the sport by becoming a coach herself.
“I definitely see it,” McCue said of coaching. “I’d be interested in coaching in high school and playing for Coach Drust at such a high level has really inspired me to want to do that.”
McCue grew up in Wolcott, where she was a gymnast, soccer and basketball player, in addition to playing softball.
After middle school, her family relocated to Cheshire, where softball quickly rose to her become her number one sport.
She’s been a three-year starter for the Rams and just keeps getting better.
“She plays the game almost borderline electrifying,” Santiago said. “In the travel world, we always say, ‘It’s Jordan doing Jordan things.’ She can just wow you in a second.”
Jordan McCue knows the game of softball can change in just a second.
Sometimes your whole life can change with it.
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