Maddie Hayden Commits To UL Softball
Louisiana Ragin' Cajun head softball coach Gerry Glasco continues to stockpile his team for the future.
Back in February, we ran down an impressive list of UL softball commitments for the 2021-2022 seasons, and more names have since been added to the list.
Included in that number is outfielder Maddie Hayden, part of the class of 2021.
Does Maddie's last name ring a bell for you?
Yes, she is the younger sister of former UL softball great Hayley Hayden.
An outfielder, Maddie attends West Monroe High School, and plays travel ball for the Louisiana Bombers 16U Gold.
The Cajuns also had another recent commitment, in Kramer Eschete, an outfielder for the Texas Bombers, and another member of the class of 2021.
If Hayden, who drew the interest of most of the top programs around the country, turns out to be as good as her older sister, Louisiana is getting themselves quite a player.
Nominated for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award, Hayley Hayden, banged out 277 base hits during her career, the fourth most in UL softball history.
Tiffany Clark is the all-time school hit leader, with 288 hits, one ahead of Jerie Alexander, who finished her career with 287.
Danyele Gomez (283) and Kathy Morton (281) are the only other two players with more career hits than Hayden.
Remarkably consistent throughout her career with the Cajuns, Hayden accumulated 70 hits as a freshman, 69 as a sophomore, 70 as a junior, and 68 as a senior.
A starter in centerfielder, right field, second base, and first base at various points throughout her career, Hayden also ended her career as the all-time school leader in runs scored, with 251, while accumulating 214 runs batted in, which ranks 6th.
In 2016, Hayden, a four-time All-Louisiana first team selection, four-time All-Region selection, and four-time All-Sun Belt Conference honoree, hit a career-high .382, to go along with 12 home runs and 57 runs batted in.
Playing on the same team with All-Americans such as Lexie Elkins, Aleah Craighton, Christina Hamilton, and Alex Stewart, along with DJ Sanders, the exploits of Hayden flew under the radar a little bit. But her career numbers validate Hayden as one of the best in program history.
Now we can look forward to another Hayden playing for the Cajuns in a couple of years!