Madison Wade named ACFL Player of the Month for October

The Atlantic Coast Fastpitch League (ACFL) is excited to spotlight Madison Wade as the October Senior Player of the Month. Wade is a first basemen and pitcher for Tri State Thunder Gold and is committed to the University of Massachusetts Lowell.

The 2024 pitcher threw 11 strikeouts in 17.1 IP. Wade continued her success at the plate with a .611 AVG, a 1.333 SLG and 4 HR.

Softball Story (How did you get started? Tell us about you-

I have been playing softball for as long as I can remember. I have grown up around the sport and I have loved it since I stepped foot on that field for the first time. My best childhood memories were at my little league fields. I had a family there. I grew up there. Softball has always been one of the biggest parts of my life.

Favorite Softball memory-

My favorite softball memory was a Halloween tournament that I played in on my first ever travel team. We ended up playing six games that day and I pitched all of them. We played the championship game at 11 at night and we won the whole thing.

Who is your favorite softball player?*

Jennie Finch has always been one of my inspirations. She is a person that I have looked up to since middle school.

What do you like to do outside of softball?

As we all know softball takes up a good bit of time but when I’m not practicing, playing, or traveling I am with my friends. I love being social and my friends are a big part of my life. I also play volleyball, so I enjoy doing that as well when I’m not on the field.

What are some of your current goals – both on and off the field? (Softball, school, other athletics, related, etc. all welcomed!)

I am always looking to get stronger to improve my pitching. My biggest goal at the moment is to reach my highest potential. I want to be able to perform the best that I can for my team right now as well as in the future in college. Academics wise, I am just focused on keeping good grades.

Coaches Feedback-

Madi is a 2024 pitcher/1st baseman who is committed to UMASS Lowell.  Madi is the anchor in our hitting lineup and is a threat to go deep at any point, off any type of pitching.  We are never out of a close game when we know Madi is coming up to bat.  As a pitcher Madi spins the ball well and has a great curve and change.  Madi has a great attitude and rock-solid demeanor on the field.

The 1st time I saw Madi swing a bat when she was at our 1st workout, I remember looking at my asst. coach and smiling.  All I could think was “This kid is special”.  Seeing the ball come off her bat is special.  It’s fun listening to the comments from spectators, other coaches, and college coaches when they see Madi hit one of her “no doubt” homeruns.  I can’t tell you how many times a college coach has come over from another field and said, “who is that kid?” after seeing her hit one out.

On top of Madi being a great athlete, she is a wonderful person to be around and has a family to match.  Our organization is thrilled to have the Wade family as part of our family!

What is the Alliance Fastpitch Player Recognition Program?

The Player Recognition Program was built to recognize and spotlight our individual players in each Member League. Each month, registered Alliance Fastpitch coaches can nominate a player from their age division. League Leadership will review nominations and a monthly stats report from AthletesGoLive (AGL) to determine the League’s Player of the Month.

Following the announcement of each League’s Players of the Month, the Alliance Fastpitch will recognize a National Player of the Month.

To be considered for Player of the Month, your team must score League games in AGL so your stats will be included in the League’s monthly report.