The College of Charleston is a D1 school the competes in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) and the Cougars are led by Head Coach Maggie Mrowka who became the head coach last July.

After going 31-25 last year, including a 20-7 conference record, Coach Mrowka is looking to take the South Carolina school to another level and she’s off to a strong start in the recruiting department.

As noted in our updated Master Commit Spreadsheet published yesterday, the Cougars have four strong verbals so far and one of those is a 2027 HOT 100 honoree, Maddie Scarpace from up the East Coast in the state of New York.

Maddie was ranked No. 88 in the 2027 rankings published last August and here’s how her bio read:

T-88—Maddie Scarpace, C/UT, Carolina Elite – Fusetti
Maddie joined Head Coach Dana Fusetti’s team last year and the coach remembers: “She immediately became our firecracker and set our team energy.” Behind the plate, Maddie thrives in pressure situations and gets stronger the more game she plays in. This summer she posted a .467 on-base percentage and a .303 batting average. Despite the distance from Buffalo, New York, she consistently seeks the best training does what she can to improve. At Nardin Academy in Buffalo, New York, Maddie earned All-State honors as she led NYS Class A in stolen bases, fielding percentage, and runners caught stealing. She was also in the Top 3 for batting average, slugging percentage, home runs and on-base percentage.

 We caught up Maddie recently to learn more about her and the reasons that led her to commit to CofC… here’s what she had to say.

*****

Player Name: Maddie Scarpace
Position(s): C/UTL
High School (City/ST): Nardin Academy, Buffalo NY
Club Team: Carolina Elite National 16U- Fusetti
Grad Year: 2027
Committed To: College of Charleston
Date Committed: 12/19/25

What would you say are your top achievements in your prep career so far?
This past year in high school play I was named to the New York All-State team, All-Catholic, Player of the Year finalist, All WNY, team MVP, Nardin’s Rising Star Award and I was also inducted into my school’s Hall of Fame.

Do you compete other sports? 
Swimming.

What’s been a top 1-2 softball experience in your career?
1. Committing to College of Charleston
2. Making varsity as a freshman in high school and being Erin Nuwer’s (Tennessee Vols sophomore pitcher) catcher.

How did your future university first find you to start recruiting you?
I attended a camp and emailed the coaches non-stop!

When did they offer you a scholarship?
Before Christmas.

When and how did you commit? What were the circumstances?
I was at a catching lesson and Coach Mrowka called me and offered. I took less than one second to say yes!

What was it about the school/program that made you decide it was the place for you? Did you have an “a ha” moment where it suddenly was obvious you should go there?
They say when you know, you know. I didn’t fully understand the value of that statement until I stepped onto the campus and field at the College of Charleston. Once I met the coaching staff, I knew that was my home!

What did they say they liked about your game enough to offer you?
My versatility, energy and athletic ability.

Who helped you in your softball decision… anyone? Family? Coaches?
My parents and my club coach Dana Fusetti.

Do you know yet what you will study in college? What you’d like to do for a career after school and softball is over?
Biology with a minor in business. I’d like to own a medical practice one day.

Are you related to or know anyone famous?
My uncle is “Baby” Joe Mesi, the former No. 1 ranked world heavyweight boxer (note: he went 36-0 between 1997 and 2007).

What top tournaments/events will you and your team be playing this year?
We’ll be playing at Top Gun Invitational, Scenic City T25, IDT, Alex Wilcox Legacy and Alliance Nationals or PGF Nationals.

Is there anything unusual or different about you that would be fun to share or mention?
Coming from Buffalo, I was a competitive alpine ski racer who later transitioned to freestyle skiing and qualified in moguls for the Eastern U.S. freestyle championships.

What’s something about you off the field that not many know?
I have a younger sister who’s a really good pitcher (2030).

What do you love most about softball?
The sport has allowed me to meet some amazing people from all across the country.

In one word, describe yourself on the field and off…
On the field: gritty; off the field: witty.