Pioneer Athlete Spotlight — Madi Mays and Amber Desena

Grade: Junior
School: Concord High
Sport: Softball

This pair of junior righthanders are playing key roles for the Concord High softball team in their third varsity seasons. They hope to return to the North Coast Section playoffs and make a deep run at Section (they were NCS champions as freshmen) while they each look ahead to planning for their college careers. Mays is the team’s starting pitcher but can play third base and outfield too. She has also played varsity volleyball at school and on the All-American Sports Academy club softball team. She has a 4.83 GPA and is hoping to receive a softball scholarship from Harvard. “Madi is one of the toughest pitchers in our league and our team feels very confident with her on the mound. Offensively, she is on fire,” says coach Megan Coddington. She is currently leading the team in five offensive categories including batting average, hits, RBIs, triples, and homeruns.

Desena is the starting third baseman and can also play in the outfield. She plays club with Universal Fastpitch where she was exposed to the University of Iowa softball staff at the PGF Nationals and is committed to be a Hawkeye. Her GPA is 3.67. “Amber has been playing extremely tough defense at third base this year and she loves to dive for balls and get dirty. She is a defensive wall at the hot corner. Amber also does a great job as a leadoff batter. Her on base percentage is over .400, she is currently batting .375 and she leads the team in doubles.”

The Pioneer congratulates Madi and Amber and thanks Athlete Spotlight sponsors Dr. Laura Lacey & Dr. Christopher Ruzicka who have been serving the Concord and Clayton area for 25 years at Family Vision Care Optometry. www.laceyandruzicka.com

Do you know a young athlete who should be recognized? Perhaps he or she has shown exceptional sportsmanship, remarkable improvement or great heart for the sport. Send your nomination for the Pioneer Athlete Spotlight today to sports@pioneerpublishers.com.