OUTSTANDING PLAYER: SOFTBALL.................
WHY SHE WON:
Bentonville High School senior Madison Prough said she had one goal this season — to help the Tigers earn their second consecutive state championship. The 18-year-old pitcher completed her high school career by accomplishing that goal and more including being named the 2017 All-Arkansas Preps Player of the Year in Softball. “I think it is probably the highest honor in the state, and I think she is definitely worthy of it,” Bentonville softball coach Kent Early said. “She had gotten better every year.” During the past three years, the 5-7, 128-pound player racked up 521 strikeouts and a 60-7 record. She compiled a 23-1 record and a 1.23 earned-run average this season, striking out 228 batters in 142.1 innings. She allowed only 25 earned runs and walked only 23 of the 532 batters she faced, and she went 41 consecutive innings without giving up an earned run. “When we play, I don’t try to do all that stuff for awards. I just do it for myself and my team,” she said, adding that the All-Arkansas Preps award came as a surprise. “My goal for the season wasn’t to try to win any big awards at the end of the year.” She was named Most Valuable Player at the state-championship game, and her father, Dustin Prough, watched the team’s victory from the stands. “I cried like a baby,” he said of Madison’s team winning its second state championship. “I feel very fortunate as a dad for my daughter to get to experience something so cool — twice.” Madison began playing softball at age 8, and after playing in the outfield, she told her father she wanted to try pitching. He coached her in their backyard until she could throw a strike, and she has continued pitching ever since. “As a pitcher, you’re carrying your team on your back, and I like that feeling of knowing my team has my back, and I have their back,” she said. In addition to playing for her school, Madison has played summer travel ball with the Northwest Arkansas Knockouts since she was 12. She has also volunteered to help younger players at summer camps hosted by the Knockouts and the high school. This fall, Madison will continue her softball career at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, where she will study to become a school counselor. She said she is excited to take her game to the next level. “I think it will be fun playing with such great athletes that I’ve been looking up to forever,” she said.
I think it’s an honor for anybody to get this award, so when I heard about it, I was definitely excited.”