Madison Cruz
Ambush Softball welcomes Madison Cruz, alumni of Emmanuel College Softball. Coach Madison started all 4 years of her college career and helped lead her team to the victory of the Regional Championship in 2016. Coach Cruz has been coaching at the high school level for the past 5 years. Coaching at Jefferson High School and currently Varsity Assistant Coach at Commerce High School. Coach Madison Cruz will be joining our coaching staff as the 10U softball assistant coach! Welcome to the family Coach Madision!
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Emily Perrin
Softball Pitching Fundamentals Coach
Playing Accomplishments:
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Taylor Whitenton
Meet Taylor Whitenton. Taylor is a Professional Baseball Instructor who has competed with and against the world's best in baseball. Some of the names include Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, Christian Yelich, Manny Machado, Jacob deGrom, Nolan Arenado, and many others.
He played high school baseball at Heritage High (Conyers, Ga) and, in 2007, competed in the AAAA GA State Championship. After graduating from high school, Taylor was drafted as a SS by the Atlanta Braves in the 2007 MLB Draft. He decided not to sign with the Braves and instead attend college at Albany State. Taylor was the starting SS and Friday night starting pitcher for Albany State. In 2009, Taylor was drafted and signed by the New York Mets as a RHP and began his professional career. |
Taylor enjoyed success in professional baseball, earning multiple All-Star game appearances, league awards, and many top prospect titles. Unfortunately, Taylor experienced a shoulder injury that took him away from the game. But, his injury has not taken away his passion for the game. It has been redirected towards helping the community youth achieve their dreams.
Taylor’s goal is to be an educator, mentor, and friend to his students. He places a large amount of effort into creating strong Student-Instructor relationships. Helping students set goals, work towards their goals, and achieve their goals is what motivates Taylor.
As a Professional Baseball Instructor, Taylor offers unmatched knowledge and experience gained in his career/ six years of instructing to turn any athlete of any skill level into an elite, winning baseball or softball player.
Mark 12: 30- 31, John 14: 6-11
Playing Achievements
AAAA Georgia High School State Championship
2x Rawlings All-American
Perfect Game Ranking 2007: RHP #1 in GA, #34 in US
Atlanta Braves SS 2007 Draft
New York Mets RHP 2009 Draft
MILB League All-Star Game Starting Pitcher
MLB Arizona Fall League Participant
MLB Arizona Fall League Rising Stars All-Stars Game
MILB Lowest ERA Award
Pitcher of the Month Award
MILB Player of the Week Award
MLB New York Mets Top 50 Prospect 2011, 2012, & 2013
Private Instruction & Coaching
6 Yrs of Experience as Professional Baseball and Softball Instructor
GGC Summer League Pitching Coach
Taylor’s goal is to be an educator, mentor, and friend to his students. He places a large amount of effort into creating strong Student-Instructor relationships. Helping students set goals, work towards their goals, and achieve their goals is what motivates Taylor.
As a Professional Baseball Instructor, Taylor offers unmatched knowledge and experience gained in his career/ six years of instructing to turn any athlete of any skill level into an elite, winning baseball or softball player.
Mark 12: 30- 31, John 14: 6-11
Playing Achievements
AAAA Georgia High School State Championship
2x Rawlings All-American
Perfect Game Ranking 2007: RHP #1 in GA, #34 in US
Atlanta Braves SS 2007 Draft
New York Mets RHP 2009 Draft
MILB League All-Star Game Starting Pitcher
MLB Arizona Fall League Participant
MLB Arizona Fall League Rising Stars All-Stars Game
MILB Lowest ERA Award
Pitcher of the Month Award
MILB Player of the Week Award
MLB New York Mets Top 50 Prospect 2011, 2012, & 2013
Private Instruction & Coaching
6 Yrs of Experience as Professional Baseball and Softball Instructor
GGC Summer League Pitching Coach
Testimonials:
“Very good technique with my son not only focusing on the mechanics but also the mental approach to the game. We saw improvement immediately in both his performance and confidence. I would recommend Taylor as on instructor to anyone at all skill levels.” Heath Fleming
“Taylor helped my son through the winter months to increase his skill level in batting and agility. My son looked forward to each session he had with Coach Taylor. He has an incredible knack working with kids. He is positive, upbeat, supportive, provides constructive feedback and provides individual attention to each student. Taylor relates to his students and makes training a fun productive environment. We will be requesting no one else other than Taylor to provide our son additional training.” Pam Sardo
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“Taylor did an excellent job connecting with my son on more than just a baseball level. He taught him about life outside of the game of baseball and my son loved it. Taylor is a very dedicated instructor that relates well to kids and he takes a wholistic approach to teaching the game. My son improved on so many levels with pitching and hitting and it paid off big time. My son thoughly enjoyed the teaching sessions. Thank you Taylor!”
Mike Fulton |
“Taylor is a wonderful baseball instructor! He has worked with my 7 year old for almost a year now. He is very positive and focused on the best interest of the kids. He has assisted my son by increasing his hitting skills, focus and passion for the game. Brevin looks forward to every session and truly respects Coach Taylor. I would highly recommend Taylor to everyone!!” Blake Harrison
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Hannah Medlam
Hannah was a four year starter at Radford University, a D1 school where she started as an outfielder, second baseman, and first baseman. She was a left handed power hitter, as well as a slapper.
She has four years of coaching experience:
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Nolan Crisp
2023 (Senior/UGA):
Went 1-2 with an 8.23 ERA and two saves in 17 appearances including four starts as team went 29-27 and advanced to the SEC Tournament
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2022 (Junior/UGA):
Posted a 1-4 record and 5.12 ERA in 16 appearances including eight starts with 45.2 innings pitched and 41 strikeouts as team went 36-23 and advanced to the NCAA Chapel Hill (N.C.) Regional
2021 (RS-Sophomore/UGA):
Made 22 relief appearances for the squad that went 31-25 and advanced to the SEC Tournament
2020 (Sophomore/UF):
Did not make any appearances for the Florida Gators as they were 16-1 and ranked No. 1 nationally when the season was canceled in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2019 (Freshman/UF):
Made 21 appearances on the mound with six starts, posting a 4-4 record with eight saves for the University of Florida as the Gators went 34-26 including 1-2 in the NCAA Lubbock (Texas) Regional under coach Kevin O’Sullivan
High School:
A graduate of Locust Grove where he played for Stephen Phillips, winning one state title and three region titles
Posted a 1-4 record and 5.12 ERA in 16 appearances including eight starts with 45.2 innings pitched and 41 strikeouts as team went 36-23 and advanced to the NCAA Chapel Hill (N.C.) Regional
- Began year as late-inning reliever and then moved into a starting role after injuries to starters and ultimately served as game one series starter for much of the SEC season
- Provided three scoreless innings of relief with four strikeouts against Akron and two scoreless frames with three strikeouts against Lipscomb
- Made first start Apr. 2 versus #16 Florida and got a no decision, going 4.1 innings and allowing three runs on three hits with three strikeouts
- Earned Friday night win at Alabama with career-high 5.2 scoreless innings with no walks and five strikeouts
- Career-high nine strikeouts in only four IP versus No. 14 Vanderbilt but allowed four runs in an 11-9 loss
- Tossed a career-high six innings in a 5-2 loss at #1 Tennessee
- Missed the postseason due to a tricep injury that occurred during final start of regular season against Missouri, left after 1.1 innings
2021 (RS-Sophomore/UGA):
Made 22 relief appearances for the squad that went 31-25 and advanced to the SEC Tournament
- Posted a 1-1 mark with one save and a 3.90 ERA in 27.2 innings with 14 walks and 25 strikeouts
- Picked up first save with three scoreless innings and four strikeouts against Lipscomb
- Notched win over Kennesaw State with two scoreless innings
- Inherited bases loaded situation with two outs versus Ga. Tech and registered a strikeout
- Made two appearances in the Clemson series and pitched three scoreless frames including part of a 2-0 road shutout
2020 (Sophomore/UF):
Did not make any appearances for the Florida Gators as they were 16-1 and ranked No. 1 nationally when the season was canceled in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2019 (Freshman/UF):
Made 21 appearances on the mound with six starts, posting a 4-4 record with eight saves for the University of Florida as the Gators went 34-26 including 1-2 in the NCAA Lubbock (Texas) Regional under coach Kevin O’Sullivan
- Set a Florida freshman record with eight saves, surpassing Brad Wilkerson (6 in 1996)
- Finished the season with a 6.41 ERA over 39.1 innings with 21 strikeouts and 21 walks
- Earned a save in each of his first seven outings in non-conference action and then got his eighth against Kentucky
- Posted a 3-1 record and 3.92 ERA in six starts (20.2 innings) while had a 9.16 ERA in 18.2 relief innings
- Notched first career win with four scoreless innings versus Jacksonville on March 19
- Only loss as a starter came to Georgia at Foley Field, falling 4-1 on May 5 (2.2 IP, 4H, 3R, 1BB, 1K)
- Pitched a season-high five innings against Florida State on March 26 in Jacksonville, allowing two runs on three hits with a season-high four strikeouts and did not factor in the decision
- Played summer baseball with the Hyannis Harbor Hawks in the Cape Cod League
High School:
A graduate of Locust Grove where he played for Stephen Phillips, winning one state title and three region titles
- A Top 100 prospect who skipped his senior season and enrolled early at the University of Florida in January of 2019
- Registered 97 strikeouts with a 1.35 ERA over 67.0 innings plus hit .422 with 28 RBI, 30 runs scored and 18 doubles as a junior in 2018
- Named the 2018 Region 4-AAAAA Player of the Year and Class AAAAA All-State First Team
- Helped lead the Wildcats to a pair of Region 4 Championships during prep career and the Elite Eight of the 2018 state tournament
- Earned All-County, All-Region and All-State honors after posting a 1.24 ERA in 67 innings and batted .354 as a sophomore
- Led Locust Grove to the 2016 Georgia Class AAAA State Championship as a freshman, allowing one run over six innings in Game 2 of the championship series
- Summer baseball included a member of the USA Baseball 2017 17U National Team Development Program and award-winning Canes National squad