Get on board with Extra Inning Softball’s regular feature, The Last Inning!
We are scouring the Internet and Social Media and keeping our ears to the street for the latest going on in the softball community.
To contribute information, insights, thoughts or content ideas, email us at info@extrainningsoftball.com and also los.extrainningsoftball@gmail.com.
Here’s our TLI for Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022:
*****
EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT: MADDIE MCKEE
LSU-committed 2023 UT Maddie McKee recently talked to Extra Inning Softball about Hotshots National-Nelson, personal trainer, quicker first step, PGF Nationals, Birmingham Thunderbolts, business industry, LSU, Jose Altuve, Drake, “Friends” and cornhole.
EXTRA ELITE SPORLIGHT Q&A
Name: Maddox “Maddie” McKee
Hometown: Montgomery, TX
High School: Lake Creek High
Club Team: Hotshots 18U National-Nelson
Graduation Year: 2023
Height: 5-foot-6
Position: UT
Nickname: Maddie
Twitter: @mmaddiemmckee
Honors: Lake Creek High won a state championship (2022); All-Greater Houston Hitter of the Year (2022); two-time All-State; two-time Texas stolen base leader; MaxPreps All-American; PGF national champion (2021); and two-time PGF national championship runner-up.
Travel Ball Highlights/Summer Stats: 40 games, .471 AVG, .505 OBP, 48 hits, 2 HRs, 23 RBIs, 42 runs and 53 SBs.
High School Highlights/Stats: 41 games, .511 AVG, 72 hits, 7 HRs, 6 triples, 15 doubles, 47 RBIs, 70 runs and 77 SBs.
Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? My travel team/organization is definitely like no other. We all love each other and are so close, so it’s one big family. My dad and Coach Nathan (Nelson) played minor league baseball together and one day when I was 10 (years old) they ran into each other one day at an elementary school. He knew I played softball, said he started an organization and asked me to come try out.
What are some of your training methods/training routine? Every day before school on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday I go work out with a personal trainer at 6 a.m.
What areas are you focusing on/trying to improve this fall? This fall, I am trying to focus on getting a quicker first step to balls and perfecting my bunt.
Can you tell us about your experience at PGF Nationals this summer? PGF is always so much fun! It didn’t end how we wanted/expected it to but we gave it everything we had and left it all on the field. It was a sad ending for our many seniors that were leaving to go to college, but we know they will do great things.
Which player/team was your toughest opponent and why? Our toughest opponent was definitely the (Birmingham) Thunderbolts because when we would play them, it was always a higher-scoring game. It would never be a blowout and would always be by 1 or 2 runs. They have really good pitchers and really good hitters and it was just a great matchup between two teams.
What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? I haven’t decided my major yet, but I’m leaning toward going somewhere in the business industry.
Can you talk about your decision to commit to LSU? When I stepped on campus, I knew that LSU was the place for me. The coaches are everything any player could ask for. They are incredible!! I knew I wanted to go somewhere not too far from home and I knew I wanted to go somewhere that treats people like family. LSU is one big family and I cannot wait to play there!
Who is your sports hero and why? Jose Altuve is my sports hero because he carries himself so well knowing he might not be as big, strong and powerful as other people he plays against. He has been through a lot lately, but he kept pushing and he keeps a smile on his face through everything.
What’s the best hype song and why? “Started From the Bottom” by Drake is my hype song because it reminds me of how far I’ve come and where I am now. It also reminds me of when I was little because the song is pretty old, but it makes me happy and makes me just want to have fun!
What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? “Friends.” I love “Friends” so much and it’s so relaxing and funny to just sit and watch. Every episode is entertaining.
Do you have a secret talent/skill? I am very good at cornhole. Honestly, I would play in tournaments if I could!
Scroll down to see more highlights …
