February 1, 2021 — The Alliance Fastpitch is excited to spotlight two athletes in our Alliance Player Recognition Program. Mia Scott from the Texas Fastpitch League (TFL) and Ashton Maloney from the Heart of America Fastpitch League (HFL) have both been recognized as our National Spotlight Athletes based on their league performances this past Fall. Both Scott and Maloney have signed to play college softball at the University of Texas and the future Longhorn teammates both led their teams to League Championships and AFCS Tier I berths. 

Mia Scott led her Texas Bombers Gold team to a TFL Fall Championship and an AFCS Tier I berth this Fall. She set the tone offensively for the Bombers this Fall and led them to national victories over Alliance clubs like the Texas Glory, Corona Angels Tyson, Athletics Mercado and OC Batbusters Stith.

Scott hit .634 and had an on base percentage of .690. She hit 11 doubles, 2 triples, and 4 home runs while adding 19 RBIs for her team. Perhaps most impressive, she had 51 stolen bases this Fall! 

“Mia is one of the fastest players in the country”, said Bombers Head Coach Scott Smith. “Her game speed is unlike anything I have ever seen. Defensively her speed and athleticism on the field are a game changer as well. But in the end it’s her ability to steal bases at will and score from anywhere on the field is what makes her so special. She is a run scoring machine!”

Ashton Maloney led the Aces Fastpitch to a HFL Fall Championship and AFCS Tier I berth. She too led her team to key Alliance wins against top organizations such as the Corona Angels Tyson, Louisville Lady Sluggers, Iowa Premier, and Oklahoma Athletics Madden. 

Maloney hit .510 with an on base percentage of .574. Of her 25 hits, she had 3 doubles, 2 triples, and a home run, adding 7 RBIs for her team. She also boasted an impressive .714 slugging percentage and stole 17 bases this Fall. 

The Liberty, Missouri native is a 2021 outfielder who has committed to play college softball for the University of Texas. “Ashton is one of the most competitive players I’ve had the opportunity to coach,” said Aces Head Coach Ryan Taylor. “She has a 5-tool skill set, but what makes her the most impressive is the competitive side. Any task we give the team, Ashton is always working to have the most reps or the fastest times. She’s always on time, present, and asking for ways to get better. Her gritty style will fit right in at Texas!” 

“My favorite softball memory was winning Boulder IDT in 2019 with the Aces,” Maloney said. “There were a ton of really good teams in the tournament, but that was a time when we really came together as a team and battled against everyone to be the last ones standing.” 

Congratulations to Mia Scott from the 18U Texas Bombers Gold and Ashton Maloney from the 18U Aces Fastpitch for being recognized as the National Spotlight Athletes from this Fall Season. The Alliance Fastpitch will continue to recognize National Players of the Month across all age divisions this season. To be eligible for a National Player of the Month honor, teams must score their games with AGL so their stats can be recorded and pulled in our monthly reports. 

What is the Alliance Fastpitch Player Recognition Program?

The Player Recognition Program was built to recognize and spotlight our individual players in each Member League. Starting this Spring, each League will name a Player of the Month for different age divisions.

Registered Alliance Fastpitch players will be placed in a pool based on verified stats from AthletesGoLive (AGL). AthletesGoLive(AGL) will run monthly reports and submit to the player selection committee for each League.  Additionally, registered Alliance Fastpitch coaches will have the opportunity to submit a player for consideration. Committee members will review verified stats and consider coach feedback to name League Players of the Month. 

Following the announcement of each League’s Players of the Month, the Alliance Fastpitch will recognize a National Player of the Month. To be considered for Player of the Month, your team must score League games in AGL so her stats are considered in the monthly reports.