Sister Duo Vital Component for Softball
Apr 21 | Softball
By Frank Kineavy
ScarletKnights.com
PISCATAWAY -- The Rutgers softball coaching staff might have to convince head coach Jay Nelson to schedule some more mid-winter recruiting trips to Georgia after the season the Scarlet Knights battery -- both Peach State natives -- is having.
They are so in sync one would think they share the same brain. Actually, it's pretty close, since they do share the same genes. Sisters Dresden Maddox and Sierra Maddox co-pilot the most important part of softball: the pitching (Dresden, a junior, is a pitcher while Sierra, a freshman, does the catching).
The story of the Maddox sisters migrating to Rutgers began during Dresden's junior year at Harrison High School in Kennesaw, Georgia, when she attended a recruiting showcase in New Jersey. She was in contact with some other northern schools and knew little about Rutgers at the time.
"Coach Nelson actually wasn't there but both of his assistants at the time were, including (assistant Misty Beaver)," said Dresden. "When they were allowed to start recruiting me and were allowed to contact me they were the first email I got."
As the coaches started to become more persistent, Dresden became more familiar with Rutgers.
"They seemed very interested so I contacted them and it started from there," she said. "Then they saw me play a few more times and I decided this is where I wanted to go to college and play."
As Dresden was blossoming into a key contributor in the circle for the Scarlet Knights, about 800 miles away Sierra was starting her college search. The younger Maddox, who caught Dresden in high school for two years, was introduced to Rutgers and the softball program by tagging along with her sister to the very same camp.
After her sister enrolled at Rutgers, Sierra would often visit.
"She introduced me to Rutgers when she was here, and when I visited I fell in love with it," Sierra said.
While some siblings might have reservations about going to the same college, Sierra and Dresden would not have it any other way.
"It's great playing with my sister," Sierra said. "We played on the same high school team for two years and I loved it because you always have someone nearby who will support you no matter what. That really was a big part of it. But really I just like playing with her. She's a hard worker and a great example -- not just for me but for other players. She is always determined to do everything the right way."
Once the game starts for the battery, they have a system down. The younger sister calls the pitches, but when the older sister shakes her off, age wins out.
"She's pretty much on the same wavelength as me. When she calls something it's usually something I would have called for myself," Dresden said. "She understands I have to be comfortable with what I'm throwing."
With Rutgers (24-14 overall, 8-7 Big Ten) looking to solidify a high seed for the Big Ten Tournament, the Maddox sisters could have a say as to how far the Scarlet Knights advance in the event. In Dresden's last start in the first game of a doubleheader on April 15, she allowed one run while pitching a complete game victory over Villanova. In the second game, Sierra led Rutgers to a 10-4 victory over the Wildcats with her first career multi-home run game, going 4-for-4 with four RBI.
Sierra is enjoying a solid debut year in college, hitting .310 while appearing in 17 games (starting 11). Dresden has a 7-4 pitching record.
Rutgers has three Big Ten series left before heading to Columbus, Ohio, for the Big Ten Tournament starting May 7. The Scarlet Knights are scheduled to host Maryland in a doubleheader on Tuesday.
