Stokes Works Through Adversity to Thrive for Gamecocks
May 30, 2018
Baseball can be a game of failure that can humble the greatest of players. For South Carolina senior Madison Stokes, being unable to reach all his goals in previous seasons helped drive him to success in 2018, and not getting selected in the 2017 Major League Baseball draft added to his motivation.
“Getting drafted is something I have always wanted to do. It’s been a lifelong dream,” Stokes said. “When that didn’t happen, it really taught me a lot about myself. It really hit hard. I think it changed my mentality. It told me that I have to do more if I want to play something bigger than college baseball.
“I think it humbled me even more. It also gave me a burning fire inside that I don’t think will ever burn out. I’m going to do whatever it takes to accomplish whatever it is I want to accomplish.”
Stokes leads the team in hitting this year, but his success hasn’t come without some adversity. The Columbia native’s career got off to a slow start as a freshman as he batted .207 in 25 games. His sophomore season showed promise as he hit .304 with a home run and 12 RBI, but he fought through a foot injury as a junior and hit only .224 with 4 home runs and 17 RBI. For Stokes’ senior year, he has overcome a nagging hamstring problem to lead the team in hitting at .342, and he has belted 10 home runs to go along with 40 RBI.
“I think it’s just confidence in myself, how I prepare for each game, how I prepared before the season, and how I wanted to see myself performing at the level I knew I could.” Stokes said. “My past three years didn’t define that. I knew I had to change my work ethic and work even harder.”
We’re not surprised that we’re here now. This is where we saw ourselves in the beginning of the season.
Madison Stokes
Stokes has adapted well to a new coaching staff in 2018, and has also had to adapt to playing different roles. After earning the starting spot at shortstop for opening weekend, the hamstring injury forced him to move to first base and the designated hitter spot in the lineup later in the year where he must wait his turn to make an impact on the game.
“I just have to be extremely selfless,” Stokes said. “I had a role at shortstop at the beginning of the season. That changed because of the injury. Baseball is a game of changing and adapting. I’m just doing what’s best for the team.”
Stokes noted that his faith helps him work though any challenge.
“My faith in God (has helped) because He has humbled me through this game,” Stokes said. “He has given me an incredible opportunity to play this far at the college level. I have higher expectations passed this, but I am extremely grateful to be where I am.
“And also, family has helped. They keep the game fun. I always have one family member here (at games). I’m one of seven children, so there is always at least one that comes and supports me. Seeing them after games always puts a smile on my face.”
The South Carolina team has overcome its share of adversity in 2018 after a slow start and a rash of injuries, and Stokes is grateful that he and his teammates have the opportunity to make their hard work pay off in the NCAA Tournament.
“It’s satisfying, but we’re not surprised,” Stokes said. “We had a rough start, but we knew we would bounce back. We knew the potential we had. We’re not surprised that we’re here now. This is where we saw ourselves in the beginning of the season.”
