Today we spotlight a freshman who just committed to a Pac-12 school and was one of the stars of the So Cal team that won PGF Nationals at its age division as she tied for second on the team with five RBI and had a big hit in the title game…

Name: MADISON HUSKEY
Grad Year: 2018
Pos: OF/C
High School: Gahr (Cerritos, Calif.)
GPA: 3.33
Club: Corona Angels – 00 Tyson  
Misc: voted Most Athletic in 8th Grade, 2014 Freshman Homecoming Princess Nominee, made varsity HS Softball Team, Volunteer Softball Coach for her sisters rec ball teams                                   
College: Washington

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FullCountSoftball.com: You were a big part of the Angels 14U team that won PGF Nationals… what’s your favorite memory from that great week for you and the team?
Madison Huskey: The greatest memory I had from the week of PGF was the last out we had in the championship game. There was a pop-up hit to our first basemen and she caught it. I was so happy! We were all running in, throwing our gloves up in the air and jumping on top of each other.  All the hard work, sweat, long days at the field, practices were forgotten in that moment. It was such a great feeling and a great accomplishment coming together in the end to just get it done and be the National Champions.

FCS.com: Was there one special moment, at-bat or play for you that you’re most proud of from Nationals?
MH: The most special moment for me as a teammate was the at-bat I had against another So Cal Athletics team. It was an elimination game – late at night, it had been a really long day of games. I wasn’t ready for our team to go home! There was a runner on second and I hit a line drive up the middle and she scored from second. That hit scored our first run. The So Cal Athletics ended up scoring later on in the game and it became a 1-1 ballgame.

We went into ITB and I was the leadoff batter with a runner at second. Coach Marty (Tyson)had told me before I got in the box that he was going to bunt me. I didn’t get the bunt down and I had two strikes. The next pitch was a change-up outside and I rocketed that ball to right center scoring the runner. We ended up winning 2-1. That game was a proud moment for me because even though I didn’t get the bunt down, I still did what I needed to do for the team so we could keep playing on.

Honestly, one special moment isn’t enough because I had so many during PGF. This past year, I have been really focusing on my hitting and taking in all feedback from my coaches and other college coaches to improve my game. On a personal level, another special moment for me would be when I hit two home runs when (Washington) Coach (Heather) Tarr was in the stands. There were a lot of other college coaches in the stands, but it was the greatest feeling for Coach Tarr to be there both times.

FCS.com: California Angels Head Coach Marty Tyson can be an intimidating coach for those who see him from afar, but he’s beloved by his players… what has it been like playing for him and what has he taught you to better you as a player?
MH: I agree, Marty can be a little intimidating if you’re standing on the outside looking in. If you’re in his inner circle, you’ll learn that when he yells at you it’s because he cares and wants you to get better. He has so much passion for the game—I have to give back the same passion and intensity. I have been playing for Marty for three years now and I’m grateful for where he has helped me improve my game. He’s always yelling, but his yelling has a lesson within all those loud words. Playing for him throughout the years, I have learned to listen to his words – not the tone because what he yells is valuable information.

Marty has taught me so much I could go on and on! One of the most valuable things that I am continually working on is my mental toughness and how to be mentally prepared. Playing the game you are always under pressure – defensively or offensively – but it is how you handle each situation and listen to what Marty teaches all of the players that prepares you. I know all of his yelling and screaming is out of his love for this game and the love for his players to succeed. This has definitely made me a better player. It’s taken a lot of tears to get where I am today, but all his hollering was absolutely worth it.

FCS.com: You’re a “Huskey” going to be a (Washington) Husky! How many times have you heard that so far?
MH: Too many to count! But I’m proud to be a Huskey not only in name but also to be playing for the Dawgs!

FCS.com: Tell us how you were first seen by the Washington coaches, then how long until they offered?
MH: I was first seen by the Washington coaches at a showcase over a year ago when I was in eighth grade. I had stuck out my first at-bat on a rise ball. Marty always talks to us about opportunities and making the most of your opportunities. My next at bat, I hit a line drive up the middle. Later that night, Marty had told me that the Washington coach had liked how I didn’t carry my crappy at-bat into my next one. He also told me that they had wanted me to come out to their school in the following month.

FCS.com: How many times have you been to the Pac-12 school and what do you like about it the most?
MH: So far I have only been once but I can’t wait for the next few trips I have planned with my family. My favorite thing about the school would just be their beautiful campus. Everything on their campus was amazing and while I was there, I was able to see myself going there.  I didn’t mind the rain and actually enjoyed the cold weather so it was nice while I was there.

FCS.com: How did you tell the UW coaches: in person, on the phone, on an unofficial visit?
MH: I told the UW coaches on a Monday night over the phone. I had just gotten back from another unofficial visit that afternoon. I had a hitting lesson later that evening and when I got to Marty’s house, I had told him that Washington was the one. Not until seeing the last school on my list did I know for sure. Every unofficial visit, it always circled back to Washington when I came back home so I knew that was the school.

FCS.com: Describe the experience of telling them… what was running through your mind?
MH: When I got home from my hitting lesson, I called Coach Tarr and she had asked me how my other visit went. I told her everything went good and I had a really good time, but told her, I’d like to be a Husky! I was so happy and Coach Tarr was too. Making that phone call was so surreal and overwhelming! We talked for a long time and I had actually started crying on the phone. It was just a big accomplishment for me and I was so grateful for all the opportunities I had been given.

FCS.com: Was distance a factor in your decision at all?
MH: Distance wasn’t a factor at all. My parents and I talked about all the choices and supported an out-of-state school.

FCS.com: What do you think (or have others said) are your strengths as a softball player?
MH: A lot of players on my team say that I have really good bat speed and that I’m good at running down balls as an outfielder.

FCS.com: Did you do anything to celebrate your big commitment?
MH: Not really a celebration right after, but I got a lot of new Washington apparel! I was able to celebrate with my family at home around midnight and with Marty after we talked about me being ready to verbal to Washington. I had to wait until I notified all the other coaches who were interested in me before I said anything. When that was done, Marty sent an email to the team and I wore a Washington shirt to school and let my teammates and friends know.

 

Quick Hitters

 

What do you want to do after softball is behind you?
I love sports – after softball is behind me, I’d like to work in the sports field either in Sports Medicine, physical therapy. While in college, I hope to get my degree in kinesiology.

If you could have dinner with any person in the world, dead or alive, who would it be?
If I could have dinner with one person dead or alive, it would be the band Paramore. Hayley Williams didn’t follow what the music labels wanted her to be – she stayed true to what she loved, what she was passionate about. Their music is great! I love music – it’s a part of many things I do – working out, hitting, sitting in the car, when I’m in my room.

What do you think is the biggest problem facing kids your age?
Pressure – peer pressure, school pressure. Just learning how to balance your friends, school, family, sports or activities.

Favorite time of the year:
Winter.

Least favorite school subject:
History.

Favorite ice cream flavor or topping:
Chocolate malted crunch.

What’s your dream vacation?
My dream vacation would be going to Paris to go shopping!

What will you dress up as for Halloween?
I think this year I will dress up as a nerd.

What makes you the most happy?
When I can watch TV and catch up on my favorite TV shows.

What’s something unusual or different about you that few know?
I can juggle.

How would your friends describe you in one word?
Ok, I asked my friends and this is what I got: “humble” or “confident.”

What’s your main goal in life?
My main goal in life is getting to play Pac-12 softball, get a degree from the University of Washington and eventually get a job in Sports Medicine or Physical Therapy.

Do you have any softball superstitions or rituals?
I always wear knee pads on both knees and I always tuck my shirt into my sliders.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I’ve ever received was from my parents and would probably be to always listen to the words when someone is speaking and not the tone of someone’s voice. When I finally understood what they meant by listening to just the words, my ears heard what they were actually saying.