Alabama Softball Newcomer Q&A: Maddie Morgan
1/23/2018 4:15:00 PM | Softball
We will be posting Q&A's with each of the six newcomers on this year's Alabama softball team heading into the 2018 season. The second Q&A is with Maddie Morgan, an infielder from Lynnwood, Wash., who set the single-season batting average record at Lynnwood High School as a freshman and continued to improve it every year, concluding with a .712 clip as a senior. She played club softball with the Washington Ladyhawks and participated in the 2017 PGF High School All-American game.
How did you get your start playing softball?
"Both of my parents played baseball and softball. My brother also played baseball. My dad played adult league so I definitely remember going to his games and I remember my mom always talking about softball. My parents coached me too for about six years and I fell in love with the sport."
When did you first realize you could potentially play softball at college level?
"I attended a couple of on-deck camps and started getting attention from colleges. I figured out then that I would probably be able to play somewhere. Initially I wanted to go to Washington just because it's a hometown school. My brother went there and I always went to camps there. I was also looking at other big programs like Alabama, Tennessee and Oregon."
What factors put Alabama on your short list early on?
"When they won the national championship in 2012, that's what initially sparked my interest. I really liked what they were doing. When I was a ninth grader I made the Washington Ladyhawks 18U team as a 14-year-old. My recruiting coach asked me what schools I was looking at and I told him Alabama and it turned out he had a connection with Coach [Patrick] Murphy. That started things off and then I was able to set up a call with Coach Murphy."
When was your first visit to Tuscaloosa?
"My first visit was February of 2014 and I was a freshman. It was a beautiful campus. The hospitality was great, everyone was so nice and welcoming. That was important for me because I would be so far away from home. The facilities are amazing. Education-wise it's a great school and the softball program is obviously great."
How soon after that did you make your decision?
"Alabama was one of the first schools I talked to and when I stepped on campus I knew that was where I wanted to go. I also looked at Michigan, Arizona State and South Carolina but I knew on the visit that if there was an offer from Alabama, I would take it. I committed a month later and was super excited when I got the offer and could barely speak on the phone call. My parents and I talked it over and I called him back and committed."
Was it a relief to get that decision out of the way?
"It was a relief but it also added some pressure. Now I'm the girl from Washington who's going to Alabama so everyone targeted me and wanted to beat me. I didn't exactly feel the pressure on the field, I just kind of did my thing. There definitely was pressure though but I felt like I handled it well. I had a successful high school and club career."
Did playing in the PGF All-American game last summer help you adjust to a bigger softball atmosphere?
"It definitely did. It helped me get used to that kind of atmosphere and the big environment. It can be overwhelming, especially at a big school like Alabama. That game definitely helped, it was a cool experience."
How has the adjustment to college life as a student-athlete been so far?
"School has been fine, it's just a matter of figuring out time management. The softball part of it was great. I already felt used to it with the kind of practice schedule I had growing up. It is hard being away from home. That's difficult but I have my new family here now to help that transition."
How have you seen the team come together over the year so far?
"Our freshman class is very close. We get along very well and we're all best friends. That helps, especially since we're stuck together the next four years! With the team as a whole, we all get along and hold each other accountable when needed but we're respectful about it."
What was it like stepping onto the field at Rhoads Stadium for the first game in the fall?
"I was nervous but I was also excited. Once the game started going, it was just softball but in a different environment. There's still something surreal about it but it's gotten a lot easier. I'm more comfortable with it."
Looking ahead to the season, what are some of your goals?
"We want to win the SEC and go as far as possible in postseason. We want to get to the Women's College World Series and win it, that's the main goal. Our freshman class wants to be the first class to go to the World Series all four years, so that's a good long-term goal for our group. Personally, I just want to work on being the best teammate I can be. Whether it's at third base, shortstop or cheering in the dugout I just am excited to be a part of it."
The team gets to travel to Seattle to play Washington this season. How excited are you for a homecoming trip?
"It's going to be a real fun, competitive and intense series. A lot of family and friends are going to be there. There will probably be a lot of Washington fans who see me and want to know why a local girl went all the way to Alabama. I get to show people why I chose Alabama because I really think the program and the coaches are special. What we're all about is really different from a lot of programs."
