At Dobie High School, Sharonda McDonald was a standout softball player, earning district co-MVP as a senior shortstop and being twice named a unanimous all-district pick. She is considered arguably the best softball position player to come from the Pasadena ISD. Also a talented track athlete, she placed fifth in the 200 meters at the state track meet during her junior year.

During her time at Texas A&M, McDonald was an All-Big 12 selection all four seasons. She holds Aggie single-season records for runs scored (60) and stolen bases (48) and is the program's all-time leader in both categories. Her 48 stolen bases in 2005 led the nation and earned her the NCAA Golden Shoe Award. She also set an NCAA record with 73 consecutive stolen bases, a record that still stands today. As a senior, she helped lead the Aggies to their first Women's College World Series appearance in 20 years. 

After college, McDonald played professionally for eight years, earning National Pro Fast-Pitch all-star honors three times, while also beginning her college coaching career. Since 2022, she has been the head softball coach at Michigan State and is known to her players as "Coach Sho".