WINTER HAVEN – The month of June proved to be a busy part of the offseason for Polk State Head Softball Coach Kevin Lewis. After serving as the lone member of the staff in his first season, Lewis has now added two assistants.

The newest addition is Madison Edwards, who will serve as the program's pitching coach. A Lakeland native, Edwards, 23, joins Lewis and Tate McClellan to give the Eagles a full staff.

"I really love helping girls learn to pitch," Edwards said. "It's what I've always wanted to do. As they learn, I'm learning along with them."

A multi-time All-Polk County pitcher for Lake Gibson High School in Lakeland, Edwards is no stranger to the junior college scene. She spent the first two seasons of her collegiate playing career at College of Central Florida in Ocala.

"When I played (junior college), I remember it being really competitive," Edwards reflected. "Everyone was tough to play. That made us all better. We scrimmaged a lot of (NCAA Division I) teams and that helped us get better as well."

After posting a perfect 12-0 record and stellar 0.89 ERA as a freshman during the COVID-shortened 2020 season, Edwards was named the Mid-Florida Conference Pitcher of the Year and a first-team All-FCSAA selection in 2021. Edwards ranked second in the FCSAA in wins as she posted an 18-4 record and 2.83 ERA as the Patriots finished nationally ranked and reached the FCSAA semifinals.

"She's local, which is important because she knows the area," Lewis said. "She's played and had success at this level. She knows what it takes to win at this level and get to the next level."

Following a stellar junior college career, Edwards followed College of Central Florida Head Coach Kevin Fagan to Emmanuel University, an NCAA Division II program in Franklin Springs, Ga., where she spent her final three seasons. Fagan has served as a mentor to Edwards as she makes her way into college coaching.

"He and my mom (Linda Edwards) always pushed me to be better," she explained. "My mom has always been my biggest supporter."

At Emmanuel, Edwards continued to shine, posting a 14-9 record and 3.72 ERA as a redshirt sophomore in 2022. After being named to the TUCCI/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Player of the Year and Pitcher of the Year watch lists prior to 2023, Edwards enjoyed an even bigger year, going 17-5 with a 2.83 ERA to earn first-team Conference Carolinas, Conference Pitcher of the Year, and NFCA All-Southeast Region second team honors.

"It's important for our players to learn from someone who has been there," Lewis added. "With her being so young and given what she's accomplished as a player, she'll be able to command their respect right off the bat."

As a redshirt senior this past season, she set a new career-high for wins by going 20-7 with 3.76 ERA to earn second-team All-Conference Carolinas recognition. She helped the Lions finish as Conference Carolinas runners-up. She graduated in May with her bachelor's degree in criminal justice.

"I love the competitiveness of softball," Edwards said. "Games are so intense. It's something I've always loved."

Although Polk State will serve as Edwards' first career coaching job, she has provided private softball lessons for youngsters in Lakeland since last summer. She can be reached to schedule lessons at maddisone02@gmail.com.

"From a pitching standpoint, I emphasize internal rotation, knowing your batters, and how to work around them," Edwards noted. "You have to be competitive no matter what."

Polk State is slated to return its top two pitchers from last season in All-Citrus Conference selection Jamie Reinhardt and Donnea Allen. With a healthy Lexie Brian and a handful of newcomers, the Eagles will have a deeper rotation in 2025.

"I'm excited to meet these girls, get to know them, and help them get better," Edwards concluded. "I want our players to be the best they can be and hopefully move on to four-year colleges."