Few programs in the entire state have enjoyed more pitching success over the past decade than Ligonier Valley softball. The Rams have produced a bevy of talented hurlers who have gone on to the college ranks. Perhaps the most impressive of all of those pitchers was Maddie Griffin, who rewrote the record books at LV and helped her team reach the state championship game. Now, Griffin is showing off her ability with the bat at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Griffin is in the spotlight for this edition of the Westmoreland Alum Q&A.

Griffin began her varsity career with the Rams as a freshman in 2019, when she played shortstop primarily. During that season, Ligonier Valley went 17-3 overall, including a perfect record in the Heritage Conference enroute to the title. In the District 6 Class 3A playoffs, the Rams defeated Central Martinsburg, but fell to Chestnut Ridge in the semifinals.

Griffin and the Rams were poised for success again in 2020, but COVID forced the cancellation of the season.

When the Rams returned to action in 2021, Griffin had emerged as the top pitcher, and delivered a season for the ages. She compiled a mark of 19-3 in the circle, posting a microscopic ERA of 0.39 and racking up a school-record 316 strikeouts. As a hitter, she batted .416 with 30 runs and a dozen RBIs. For her incredible performance, Griffin was recognized as the Class 2A Pennsylvania Player of the Year. The Rams, who had transitioned to the WPIAL beginning that school year, went 11-0 in the section. In the Class 2A playoffs, the Rams ousted California Area and Neshannock, but fell to Shenango in the semifinals. However, they rebounded with a victory against Frazier in the consolation matchup to secure a spot in the state playoffs. In the PIAA tournament, Ligonier Valley ousted Sharpsville, Chestnut Ridge, and Union City to reach the state title game. Playing at Penn State University, the Rams suffered a heartbreaking 1-0 loss in nine innings against Line Mountain in the PIAA Class 2A Championship, finishing the season with a mark of 22-3.

In her senior year, Griffin went 8-2 in the circle, producing an ERA of 0.23 with 12 walks and 134 strikeouts in 62.1 innings. As a result, she was recognized once again as an All-State performer. She suffered a hand injury, however, preventing her from pitching in the playoffs. Thus, the Rams went 14-4 overall, including a perfect 12-0 in section play, but fell to Bentworth in the first round of the WPIAL Class 2A postseason.

Despite missing time due to injury and having her sophomore season wiped out by the pandemic, Griffin achieved a career mark of 29-5 with an ERA of 0.36 and 492 strikeouts. She also tossed seven perfect games, including a 21-strikeout performance, 15 no-hitters, and 26 shutouts with the Rams. Offensively, she amassed a career batting average of .470 with 87 runs and 34 RBIs.

Following her decorated high school career, Griffin opted to continue on the diamond at Youngstown State University for the 2023 campaign. In her freshman season with the Penguins, Griffin appeared in five games in the circle, going 0-2 with a 10.80 ERA in 6.2 innings of work. Collectively, the Penguins went 27-27 overall, including 10-12 in the Horizon League. In the conference tournament, YSU dropped its opening game to Northern Kentucky, but rallied for victories against IUPUI, the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, and Robert Morris University. However, the Penguins fell to Oakland University to conclude the season.

Following that year, Griffin transferred back closer to home, joining Indiana University of Pennsylvania for the 2024 season. She also shifted from pitcher to primarily an outfielder for the Crimson Hawks. Griffin played in 49 games, including 48 starts, for IUP, hitting .347 with 28 RBIs and 37 runs, along with 10 stolen bases. The Crimson Hawks compiled a record of 29-25 overall, including 15-17 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). In the conference tournament, IUP dropped contests to Shippensburg University and Bloomsburg University to end the season.

This year, Griffin has appeared in 21 games, all starts, and is leading the Crimson Hawks with a .392 average with 20 runs and a dozen runs batted in, as well as nine steals. Thus far, IUP has gone 16-6 on the season, including 7-1 in the PSAC.

Maddie set aside time to answer questions about her shift from pitcher to position player, her most enjoyable college class, and a county she’d like to visit.

Q: How have you evaluated your performance thus far this season?

A: I think this season has been going better than last season. I feel like I have more options at the plate, and I have become more comfortable playing right field.

Q: What is your best attribute as a player?

A: I think my best attribute is being a team player. I am just as excited about putting down a sacrifice bunt as I am getting a hit. I am willing to do whatever the team needs me to do in order to win.

Q: What team and individual goals have you established this season?

A: The team goals stay pretty much the same every year - we are trying to win a PSAC championship. Coach B is very goal oriented, so we have other smaller goals that we set. Individually, I wanted to work on being more aggressive on the bases. I also want to work on utilizing power slapping more.

Q: You started your college career as a pitcher before transitioning to a position player. What factored in that change?

A: I love pitching still, but it began emptying my cup instead of filling it. I was putting so much into pitching and not getting a lot in return, as opposed to hitting and fielding, where I felt like I was getting better and more comfortable every day.

Q: What did you learn during your time at YSU?

A: I learned a lot about being comfortable with being uncomfortable. Being a freshman played a large part in this. Everything felt so new and challenging, but it definitely helped build me up as a person.

Q: What led to your decision to transfer to IUP?

A: I was getting really homesick at YSU. Not only is IUP close to Ligonier, but I have also played with Madison Pikula and Jaycee Haidze throughout our travel ball careers during high school. Knowing people at IUP played a big part in my decision, but Coach B really won me over with how great of a person she is.

Q: What is your major and ideal future profession?

A: I am an accounting major. My ideal future profession would either be forensic accounting or coaching softball at the collegiate level.

Q: What has been your most enjoyable college course?

A: My most enjoyable college course would have to be Forensic Accounting. I have a really great professor, and I also really want to be a forensic accountant in the future.

Q: You were at Ligonier Valley when the athletic programs transitioned from District 6 to the WPIAL. What was your reaction to that move?

A: I was super excited about the move. I was excited to play new teams and to start playing against some people I knew from travel ball.

Q: What was your fondest high school memory?

A: My fondest high school memory was winning the PIAA semifinal game. It was nice to know that all the hard work we put in that season was going to end in us getting a medal. While we didn't get the gold medal, it was nice to take home something to remember such a remarkable season.   Q: What are the best qualities of Rams softball coach Mark Zimmerman?

A: Coach Zimmerman allowed room for feedback and was willing to work with each individual athlete. I feel like we prospered during my time at Ligonier because he was able to bring out the best in all of us.

Q: If you could change one rule about college softball, what would it be?

A: I do not know a rule about college softball that I would change.

Q: Do you have any superstitions or rituals before, during, or after a game?

A: I have rituals before I hit. I always pray before I hit. I think praying grounds me and puts things into perspective. I believe it reminds me that I am not playing for myself and my glory, but I play for God’s glory alone.

Q: Who would you choose to portray yourself in a movie about your life?

A: I would want one of my teammates at IUP to play me in a movie about my life. I feel at this time they would know the most about my life and how to best portray me.

Q: What is your favorite vacation spot, or a place you've always wanted to visit?

A: I would like to visit Italy. I really like the food, but I am also interested in a lot of the sights.