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Tag: Prospect

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Madison Edwards Meets Challenges With A Conquering Spirit

Madison Edwards at Bat

by Ross Jacobs – Fastpitch Network

Madison Edwards loves a good challenge. She also hates to lose …at anything.

Although she comes from a family of athletes, Edwards gets her competitive streak from her father, who wouldn’t take it easy on her growing up. She fondly recalls that moment when she broke through and beat him at ping pong when she was 12. “I’ll never forget that,” Edwards proudly states.

Her disdain for losing has driven Madison in everything she’s done. Edwards’ drive has also helped position her Team North Carolina 16U squad as a team to watch in 2021, and made her one of the best 2023 ballplayers.

Team NC Logo
Team NC Logo
MADISON EDWARDS
MADISON EDWARDS 2023
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Beverly Bandits’ Sage Mardjetko Wakes Up Ready To Compete

Sage Mardjetko 2023 16U Beverly Bandits Conroy Wind Up

by Rachel Pfeiffer – Fastpitch Network

Sage Mardjetko of the 16U Beverly Bandits wakes up in the morning ready to compete.

“Even before I get to the field, that morning when I wake up, I’m already thinking about the game and who we’re playing,” she says.

“Her most redeeming quality is her competitiveness, her just will to win. She doesn’t want to give up anything to anybody, anytime,” Coach Bill Conroy says.

Mardjetko is Fastpitch Networks’ 18th ranked pitcher and 37th ranked player overall for the class of 2023. Conroy believes these rankings are more than justified.

Sage Mardjetko 2023 16U Beverly Bandits Conroy
Sage Mardjetko 2023 16U Beverly Bandits Conroy
Sage Mardjetko 2023 Beverly Bandits Conroy 16U in the Circle
Sage Mardjetko 2023 16U Beverly Bandits Conroy in the Circle
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Team NC’s Ritchie Competes With Grit

Teagan Ritchie At Bat Black Uniform

by Rachel Pfeiffer – Fastpitch Network

Coach Kevin Hinde of the 16U Team NC has many words to describe Teagan Ritchie. Competitor and leader top the list, but gritty might be the most fitting.

“With her athleticism, Teagan can literally play anywhere on the field. She just makes plays,” he says. “She has that presence about her on the field. She’s going to scrap and do whatever it takes, whether it’s to get an out, score a run or help her teammates get going.”

Ritchie is Fastpitch Network’s 13th ranked utility player and 34th ranked player overall. She plays primarily middle infield with some occasional time in centerfield. However, Ritchie particularly relishes the challenge of playing shortstop.

Teagan Ritchie Ball Defense
Teagan Ritchie Ball Defense
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Malayna Tamborra Wins With Her Arm And Her Bat

Malayna Tamborra Atlanta Vipers 2023 Pitcher Hitter

by Rachel Pfeiffer – Fastpitch Network

Most elite athletes get into sports at an early age, and Malayna Tamborra is no exception. The Atlanta Vipers 05 pitcher and first baseman grew up with softball, even more so than most.

Malayna plays for her mom, Stacy Tamborra. Tamborra played college ball at Florida State, and after giving some lessons and working with a local team, she decided to dive into coaching. She bought the building for her business, Champions Fastpitch Academy, just months before Malayna was born.

While Tamborra encouraged her kids to play other sports, Malayna grew up watching the players her mom coached become great. Soon, she decided she wanted to be a great softball player, too. But greatness doesn’t come without dedication and hard work. Especially early on, Malayna learned to use what she had to be successful.

Malayna Tamborra Atlanta Vipers 2023 Profile
Malayna Tamborra Atlanta Vipers 2023 Profile
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Sophia Stein’s Bat a Sure Thing

Sophia Stein 2023 SS U16 SoCal Athletics Wellbaum

by Ross Jacobs – Fastpitch Network

Sophia Stein likes to be in control of the game…literally. As a five-year-old, she would stand on the pitching mound and chase balls when they were hit, grab them from the outfield, and run to first base to tag players out.

At sixteen, Stein plays shortstop for the So Cal Athletics Wellbaum/Briggs 16U , is a leader who still wants the ball in her hands, and she relishes the pressure of making the big play.

“I would say my effort on the field is one of the most evident things, because it’s the one thing I control,” said Stein. “I’ve been told effort is how people will remember you or don’t remember you, so I always try to give 100 percent. If there was a game on the line, I’d want to be at bat or making a play in the field.”

Sophia Stein 2023 So Cal Athletics Wellbaum/Briggs 16U
Sophia Stein 2023 So Cal Athletics Wellbaum/Briggs 16U
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Makayla Huddleston of TN Mojo Strikes With Precision

Makayla Huddleston 2023 RHP TN MOJO Danley

by Rachel Pfeiffer – Fastpitch Network

When batters step into the box against Makayla Huddleston, they don’t know what’s coming, but they do know each pitch will be precisely where Huddleston wants it to be. The meticulous righty dominates through control, something her coach Michael Danley of the Tennessee Mojo 2023 has seen since he started coaching Huddleston in 10U.

“The first time that I ever saw her she just absolutely wowed us. I mean threw it well, had great control, hit her spots, mixed speeds. She’s just got a great knack for getting people out,” he says.

Huddleston has continued to wow, leading the Mojo to the 10U 2016 PFG National Championship title and and then the 12U title two years later. Now as Fastpitch Network’s 15th ranked pitcher for the recruiting class of 2023 and the 28th ranked player overall, Huddleston believes she’s dominated in large part because she continues to hone the strengths her coach saw the first time he met her.

Mojo Danley 2023
Mojo Danley 2023
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Renae Cunningham A Foundation Of Calculated Control And Dominance

Renae Cunningham 2023 Beverly Bandits Allen Pitcher

by Ryan Greenwood – Fastpitch Network

When asked to describe softball sensation Renae Cunningham in just two words, much like trying to hit her pitching, it becomes a tough task. Some may choose the words “Gentle Giant” given her stature and humility. Some may be more straightforward and use “Great Player”. Her head coach Cray Allen, of the Beverly Bandits – Allen, liked the words “Controlled, Calculated”.

“Her approach is always a calm one. It seems like the moment is never too big for her, which allows her teammates to feed off that quiet confidence,” said Allen. “The way she goes about her game is such a blessing in today’s world of highs and lows. She never gets rattled and stays calm and focused through each situation.”

In a day and age of the never ending selfie and self promotion, the way Cunningham carries herself on the field is refreshing. Even Cunningham admits, “I’m a pretty simple person.”

Renae Cunningham 2023
Renae Cunningham 2023
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McKaela Walker’s Allegiance and Loyalty are Highlighted by her Skill

McKaela Walker EC Bullets Mayfield 2023 Batting

by Ryan Greenwood – Fastpitch Network

Not many young players are wise beyond their age to show a sense of loyalty in the modern era of sports.  From the professional athlete to the youth player, migrating from team to team is not an uncommon occurrence.  That was not the choice or case for McKaela Walker.

“One strength that she developed at a very young age was loyalty,” said Todd Mayfield, head coach of the East Cobb Bullets – Mayfield team.  “She’s very loyal to her coaches, loyal to her teammates, and very loyal to the organization she plays for.”

McKaela Walker EC Bullets Mayfield 2023 Assessing
McKaela Walker EC Bullets Mayfield 2023 Assessing
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Katie Flannery Draws Two Sport Inspiration from the Best

Katie Flannery 2023 Birmingham T-Bolts Roberson

by Kyle Parmley – Fastpitch Network

How many high school student-athletes can say they have been fortunate enough to play with a top recruit in multiple sports at the same time?

The answer is likely a small number, but Katie Flannery is one of those players. On the softball field, she has played with Annabelle Widra, a dynamic two-way player who will soon suit up for the University of Michigan. On the hardwood, Flannery played with and looked up to Sarah Ashlee Barker, one of the best basketball players in the Southeast who is now at the University of Georgia.

Birmingham Thunderbolts Katie Flannery 3B
Birmingham Thunderbolts Katie Flannery 3B
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Cahalan Displays Production Value Beyond Her Years

Kenleigh-Cahalan-2023-Utility-Thunderbolts-Roberson

By Kyle Parmley – Fastpitch Network

Watching Kenleigh Cahalan play, it might seem as if she is a few years older than she actually is.

That’s intentional, because she tries to make it look that way.

“I just treat everything like I am one of the older ones and do my best,” she said. As an eighth-grader, Cahalan was pulled up to her high school’s varsity team at Hewitt-Trussville (Ala.). Early on that year, she established herself as the team’s primary third baseman and took a backseat to none in terms of production.

Kenleigh-Cahalan-2023-Utility-Thunderbolts-Roberson
Kenleigh-Cahalan-2023-Utility-Thunderbolts-Roberson
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