IOWA CITY — One of the top sophomores in Class 4A from the 2025 softball season announced her commitment to the Iowa softball program on Thursday.

Xavier’s Maddyn Gates, now in her junior year of high school, announced her commitment to the Hawkeyes on X, formerly known as Twitter. She captioned the post “Grateful to be staying home.”

In an interview with the Quad-City Times, Gates said she’s always wanted to play softball for as long as she can.

“I love the sport,” Gates said. “I have been playing it since I was eight years old. There’s just something about it where I’m just so happy. I would never put down a ball. I’m always walking around the house doing spins, it’s just something in me. I love the sport so much.”

And, she’s always wanted to go to Iowa.

“I’ve been a Hawkeye since I

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