“I trust myself in the bigger moments.”
When Ryan Maddox started her journey in softball as a little girl, it didn’t take her long to prove that she has the heart of a champion. In those early days, Maddox showed that she has a fiery competitive spirit, an intense love for the game and a special talent that would take her to special places.
Clovis North softball head coach Courtney Dale, who has also been working with Maddox as her private pitching coaching, has witnessed the young star’s growth from day 1. Starting from Maddox’s early days, all the way through high school, the duo continued to build a special bond while experiencing the highs and lows of sports together.
“She has been my pitching coach since I was 7 years old,” Maddox said about Dale. “She helps me in the bullpen at practice, after practice pitching lessons for all these years. We get along really well.”
The pair had one of their most unforgettable moments in 2021 when they helped Clovis North capture the Central Section title.
They also felt heartbreaks along the way, like in 2022 when Maddox missed the playoffs due to injury and the Broncos fell short in the playoffs.
It was another historic year for Clovis North in the 2023 season. While Maddox continued to climb up the national rankings, the team was also recognized among the best high school programs in the country. But the Broncos came up just short of their goal in the end, losing in the quarterfinals of the D1 playoffs against Stockdale.
Like she has done many times befores, Dale may once again try to regroup and lead the Broncos to another title chase next year. But next time, she would have to do it without Maddox, who will be pitching at the University of Arizona.
Maddox, who built her reputation at Clovis North as a big-time performer in big moments, is looking forward to once again applying the lessons and characteristics she inherited from her longtime coach.
“I learned to stay confident in myself, let your pitches work, trust your stuff, trust your defense,” the senior said. “I trust myself in the bigger moments. I feel like I can beat them, try to get swing and misses and ground balls and if they hit it, let my defense work.”
Dale, who is a UCLA legend, was known for the same traits in her playing days. One of her most memorable moments happened in 1999 when she hit the game-winning home run to help the Bruins clinch the national title. The star pitcher collected a long list of accolades in her playing days, including All-America honors and an MVP award she earned in Japan.
In 2011, Dale was inducted into the Fresno Athletic Hall Of Fame.
“She rose to stardom as a two-way threat, as an overpowering pitcher who could beat you with one swing of the bat for the Fresno Force and Bullard High School teams,” the hall of fame states about the Fresno legend. “Later, Dale-Boldt would lead UCLA to the 1999 Women’s College World Series title, capping one of the greatest pitching seasons in collegiate history. In the title game, a 3-2 victory over Washington, Courtney was the winning pitcher and hit a two-run home run. On that mound that season, she had a 33-1 record, with an 0.98 ERA and 218 strikeouts.”
By the looks of it, they’ll be saying something similar about Maddox when she takes her place next to her coach in the hall of fame someday. But first, the Clovis North phenom has some business to take care of in Tucson, Arizona.
“The coaching staff is great. I love the area, the weather,” Maddox said about her future home. “The players really took me in and showed me what it’s like to be a college athlete and all-around it was just great.”
