Kansas City, Mo. – One of the top leadoff hitters in the nation, Maddi Ridenour became one of the top eight softball outfielders by being selected the first NAIA All-American in UVa-Wise program history. The freshman Lady Cavs' player received second team honors after her stellar opening collegiate season.

Ridenour made her 2008 season honors into a ‘hat trick' with the All-American acclaim after being picked both NAIA All-Region XII and All-Appalachian Athletic Conference. She was a key part in UVa-Wise having another solid season at 29-19 while being the runner-up in both the NAIA Region XII tournament and AAC regular season.

The Suffolk, Va. native led the AAC in batting average (.433), runs (1.09/gm), hits (1.48/gm) and triples (0.11/gm) while second in stolen bases (0.78/gm). She lined her team best 68 hits in 157 at bats along with team leading numbers with 50 runs, five triples, 21 walks and 36 stolen bases.

Ridenour set school season records for batting average, hits, on base percentage (.497) and stolen bases while rating second in walks and triples. She rounded out her first year numbers with 10 doubles, 15 rbi and a .561 slugging percentage.

The Nansemond River High grad is the daughter of Dave and Amy Ridenour of Suffolk and is a math education major.