Elk Grove's Maday commits to EIU

Stephanie Maday, a three-year Daily Herald All-Area pitcher for Elk Grove's softball team, has made a verbal commitment to play for Eastern Illinois University in Charleston.

"I think it's very good fit for her," said Grenadiers Hall of Fame coach Ken Grams. "They've had an interest in her for more than a year, so they've been keeping tabs on her. This all seemed to work well."

Maday is one the first players Grams has coached who has committed to a college before her senior year. An honor student, Maday plans to major in early elementary education.

"They have a strong program in that," Grams said. "And athletically, I think it's good place for her. She is going to deal with some good people."

Maday won the 60th game of her high school career - which ranks in the top five at Elk Grove - this spring while helping lead the Grenadiers to the Mid-Suburban League championship. She was 17-3 with a 0.12 ERA and batted .383 with 3 home runs.

"Stephanie is a model of consistency on the mound," Grams said "We know we have a chance to win every game with her on the mound. She has worked very hard for three years and there's no reason to expect that to be any different next year."

EIU coach Kim Schuette is a former softball player at Lake Park High School.