Former Arizona softball coach Mike Candrea always said that the game starts in the circle. For first-year head coach Caitlin Lowe, her initial recruiting class started the same way with the commitment of 2023 left-handed pitcher Ryan Maddox out of Fresno, Calif.
Maddox announced her commitment on social media on Monday evening.
I’m so down for the Lowe era!!! It’s a dream come true to announce that I have committed to play for @ArizonaSoftball. Thank you to my coaches and trainers who have helped me achieve this dream! ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/iY1hpWaU9O
— ryan maddox (@ryanmaddoxx) October 5, 2021
Maddox pitches for Clovis North High School in Fresno. She first made her mark in travel ball with the Central Cal Dirtdogs, but now plays for the OC Batbusters program that has been a regular source of Arizona players over the years.
She went 20-1 for Clovis North as a sophomore last season on the way to the Division I Central Section championship. During the regular season, she had a 0.64 ERA in 131.1 innings pitched over 20 appearances. That was a significant improvement from her freshman season when she had a 2.52 ERA in just 25 IP.
Maddox joined Arizona freshman Paige Dimler and 2022 commits Sydney Somerndike, Olivia DiNardo, and Dakota Kennedy on the CalHiSports.com All-State first team last season. She was also a member of the 2021 Underclass MaxPreps All-America Softball Team.
Under the recruiting rules adopted prior to last season, players must now wait until their junior year in high school to commit.