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Here’s our TLI for Friday, Feb. 3, 2023:
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EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT: MADISON SAUNI
C/1B/3B Madison Sauni, #28 in the 2025 Extra Elite 100, recently talked to Extra Inning Softball about Arizona Storm National-Appel, live hitting, PGF Nationals, PGF Early Thanksgiving Showcase, Fury Platinum X-Hutchins, future college, medical field, Jocelyn Alo, Meek Mill, “Stranger Things” and dance and music.
EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT Q&A
Name: Madison Sauni
Hometown: Chandler, AZ
High School: Chandler High
Club Team: Arizona Storm 16U National-Appel
Graduation Year: 2025
Height: 5-foot-8
Position: C/1B/3B
Nickname: Maddie or Maddawg
Twitter: @madisonsauni09
Honors: #28 in the 2025 Extra Elite 100 and #13 Catcher in the Class of 2025.
Travel Ball Highlights Fall Stats: .426 AVG, .512 OBP, 1.374 OPS, .861 SLG and 36 RBIs.
High School Highlights: 1st Team All Premier Region (2021-22); 1st Team All-CUSD Utility Player (2021); and Varsity Team MVP (2021-22).
Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? I have been blessed to be playing with six of my teammates since 10U, which doesn’t happen too often. Grateful to work with teammates who are driven and have same work ethics. Our team moved to (the) AZ Storm organization first year 12u and (have) been here ever since. Grateful for the opportunities I have had, especially coaches that I have been able to work with during travel bal. Each have taught me something to better me as a player and as an individual. My current head coach is Steve Appel for the last two years and (I) appreciate him and the platform he has taken us to compete against some of the best ball teams.
Do you have any suggestions for training methods or apps and why? I personally love to get live-hitting reps whenever possible out on the field. I enjoy my sessions with my hitting coach to work on specific mechanics. I go as often as possible for agility workouts, which helps me with speed/strength. I enjoy bullpens as a simulation to what I can work on before getting into a game.
Can you tell us about your experience at PGF Nationals this summer? (My) 2022 PGF experience was definitely one to remember. We lost our first game in bracket play, which made it an eventful next two days to say the least. Our team had played eight straight games in two days and fell short, which we placed 5th. As a team, we took one game at a time and gave it our best. It proved to us, as a team, if we dig deep and keep fighting, anything is possible.
What was your favorite fall tournament/event and why? (PGF) Early Thanksgiving Showcase (in) Huntington Beach. You can never go wrong with a trip to California with your team and compete against some good ball programs.
Which player/team was your toughest opponent and why? When we went to Clearwater Invitational this past November, we played Fury Platinum X-Hutchins. We scored one run in the first inning and struggled to put any additional runs thereafter. Defensively, (we) couldn’t contain Fury Platinum X-Hutchins, who ended finishing on top.
What are you looking for in a future college? I am looking for a place which has a welcoming feel. I want to be able to make it home away from home. (I’m) ooking forward for an opportunity to join a program in which I can build a strong bond with my future teammates and coaches. As a young girl, I dreamed to go to a school where I can have great academics, attend football games and play some good softball.
What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? Since I was a young girl I wanted to be in the medical field. After losing my brother and grandfather to cancer, I’ve always wanted to have an impact on people with medical challenges in some form or another. I want to be able to have an impact in some form or another and support them as they go through their various challenges.
Who is your sports hero and why? My sports hero would be Jocelyn Alo, as a local girl originally from the North Shore and knowing the island life and culture. I admire (her) even without high-tech facilities for workouts and batting cages, but with discipline and the support of her family she has accomplished so much more than you can imagine. Through her hard work and discipline she become one of the best. Her example has made a huge impact on me and many other players from the Polynesian community. She showed us that it doesn’t matter where you come from as long as you’re willing to work you can succeed.
What’s the best hype song and why? “Dreams and Nightmare” (by) Meek Mill. When I listen to this song it ignites a fire in me and flips a switch. This song I can jam and vibe out to before the game.
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What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? “Stranger Things.” I like how it suspenseful and the events that take place can leave you on the edge of your seat.
Do you have a secret talent/skill? Not really a secret, but I love music and love to dance.
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