ROCHESTER, Mich. — Redshirt junior third baseman
Madison Jones has inserted herself into the Oakland softball record book several times since debuting for the Golden Grizzlies. The native of nearby Romeo, Mich. was named 2018 Horizon League Freshman of the Year after hitting .387 with seven doubles, six triples, 13 home runs, 36 RBI, and 43 runs scored. The 13 homers and 43 runs broke school records that remain first in program history. Despite missing the entire 2019 season due to injury and having her bounce back 2020 campaign cut short, Jones has not missed a beat through 32 games this season, as she leads OU in runs (38), extra-base hits (20), stolen bases (15), on-base percentage (.455), slugging percentage (.717), and OPS (1.172). In the conference ranks, she holds top-five marks in six categories. Last weekend, Jones made more history by becoming the school record holder in career home runs with 21.Â
Thanks for joining me today. To get things started, why did you choose to attend Oakland?
I like the academics and coaching staff at Oakland, but one of the major reasons is the campus because it is beautiful, honestly. I like how it is a community-based campus instead of a big-city living type. Â
Can you talk me through missing almost two straight seasons because of an injury and Covid-19?
We were practicing in the dome on Halloween in 2019 and I thought I tweaked my knee. However, I went through all the testing and found out I tore my left ACL. It was about a 9-month recovery and then Covid-19 happened the year after. Cammie (Brummitt) and I talk about it all the time because we are technically seniors here, yet we have only played one full season. We were both out for our sophomore years, so at least we had each other for support. Honestly, it gave us some perspective to approach each game as our last because of our past injuries and Covid-19.
You have probably heard about it a bunch by now, but you broke the school record in career home runs last weekend. How did it feel to be neck and neck with Jamie Squires?
Bless Jamie. She is a sweetheart and I did not know how close I was. I knew Jamie was close, but I did not know how far I had left for it. You never know though. We still have more games this season, so it could go back and forth.
Do you feel any pressure as the anchor of the offense?
I know people look to me to stay consistent and get it done all the time, but the coaching staff does not put pressure on me or anything like that.
What is something you enjoy doing besides playing softball?
I really enjoy spending quality time with my sister and family. I do not go home much because of the pandemic, so anytime with them is special. It is always great seeing my sister. She is my best friend and I am hoping she is here with me at Oakland next year.
If you had two tickets to Disney World, which teammate would you bring and why?
It would probably be
Jen Krizka because she is obsessed with Stitch from Lilo & Stitch and loves everything about Disney. I get along with all of my teammates, but Jen and I have a tight connection.
What is the first concert you want to go to when they open back up?
That is tough because my music taste is all over the place. But when I think of concerts I think of summertime, so I would probably go with the Faster Horses Festival, especially since I have never been to it. I think it is a whole week, but I would not make it the entire time. It would be something fun to see though!
What do you want to do after college is over?
I am a Pre-PA major and want to do a dermatology PA, but beggars cannot be choosers with everything and the craziness of the job market. My mom and sister both work in the hospital, where my mom has been an angel this entire time. She is one of the frontline heroes right now but has always been my hero since I was little.
