Van Buren's Martin delivering in circle, at plate

VAN BUREN – Madison Martin talked about having a "small focus."It's something that she, and her Van Buren teammates, have focused on.Last year, Martin helped pitch and hit the Black Knights to a Blanchard Valley Conference title and the Division III regional final. She was named BVC Player of the Year.The Black Knights only lost one starter off the 2022 team, and Martin returned.But that didn't mean things were going to be easy."It was definitely hard, because we knew we'd have a target on our back," Martin said, "We just had to go into every game the same way, same focus, the same motivation."So far, it's worked.Van Buren went undefeated in the BVC in 2023, and won its sectional final against Paulding on Friday to improve to 19-3 on the season.Martin has been in the middle of all of it. She's hitting .500 with six homers, seven doubles and 37 RBIs. She's done this despite being walked 13 times in 78 plate appearances."Obviously, every time Maddie gets to the plate, we have a chance to do something with people on base," Van Buren coach Stacy Sharp said, "or, with people not on base. She's just an amazing hitter."But Martin knows she doesn't have to do it all. "We have a really good lineup," Martin said. "Our team is very, very strong."That was on display in the tournament game against Paulding. Martin singled and doubled, but her teammate Jaxon Hill drove in four runs, while Shelbee Atchison, Anna Durliat and Ashlee Deitrick had two RBIs each.Van Buren's Megan Stall – who bats behind Martin in the lineup – has also provided key production."All the girls trust each other; (Martin) trusts her teammates," Sharp said. "I think that's what goes a long way... (if) she gets a walk, she gets a walk. She's never mad about it."Of course, when Martin doesn't walk, look out."I approach each at-bet with the same mindset, where I'm just gonna go and attack whatever pitch I want, my favorite pitch," Martin said. "I'm gonna go up and attack that."Opposing pitchers may be excused for believing every pitch is her favorite pitch. Earlier this year, in a game against Liberty-Benton, Martin ripped an outside pitch to right for an RBI single. It prompted an observer to remark that the hit was impressive because "she doesn't like the outside ones.""Not a fan of 'em," Martin confirmed. "But, I can do it."Sharp said that's because of Martin's work ethic."Maddie takes swings every single day. She's a relentless worker," Sharp said. "I would say that the situation is never too big for her. She feels very confident in what she's capable of doing because she has put in so many swings, and because she trusts the people that are behind her."Martin's confidence also shows up in the circle. She pitched in 16 games in the regular season, and won 13, compiling 137 strikeouts in 88 2/3 innings. She had a 1.58 earned run average."My biggest key is just making sure that I'm hitting my spots and having a small focus," Martin said. "That's our thing this year: just having a small focus."Sharp said Martin's belief in her teammates also is important."Maddie has learned to trust her defense a little bit more, and she knows that they're there to back her up," Sharp said. "The ball can be put into play. We don't have to strike everybody out."Van Buren will play in the Division III district semifinal Tuesday at Lima Bath against Coldwater. The game is scheduled to start 6 p.m. Another chance for Martin to swing the bat."I would say that Maddie probably stands alone in the 18 years I have coached at Van Buren as a hitter," Sharp said. "In the history of Van Buren softball, I don't know of someone who is like her at the plate."