Saluting Newsome’s softball seniors

This season was supposed to be about redemption. Newsome lost a 3-2 heartbreaker in eight innings to Park Vista in last season’s Class 9A state title game. The Wolves took solace in knowing they had a future together. Seven seniors returned, including five who have already signed with college programs. All the pieces were there for a title run. Through eight games, Newsome was 7-1 and ranked seventh in the state in 7A by MaxPreps. Now, the season — and the Wolves’ chance at redemption — remains in limbo until at least May 3 when the Florida High School Athletic Association will be able to determine whether spring sports can resume. “Everyone wants to play their last game, especially the seniors. It would be crushing if this is the way the season ended for us,” senior shortstop Lindsey Harper said. 

Meet the seniors 


Newsome’s Claire Ginder

INF Claire Ginder

2020 stats: .500 avg., 7 RBIs

Career stats: .354 avg., 24 RBIs

College: Furman

Senior memories: “It’s been everything to play with them and I’m thankful for my time at Newsome. My teammates are such a talented group of seniors and we’re all there to have fun, get better and win. It has been such a great and successful program, and I’m hoping we will get to finish what we started last year. If we don’t, I know we have an amazing group of girls in the grades below us that can pull through next year.”

Best career moment: “Going through the whole postseason last year, we had a great game against Palm Harbor to win districts and then cruised through regionals and the first round of the state tournament. Even though we lost in the finals, just the way the team was able to overcome injuries and sickness to play the last game as well as we did was just an amazing thing to experience. And then, in what might have been the last game of my high school career, I finally hit my first over-the-fence home run in high school ball. The support of my teammates when that happened was just the best feeling.”


Newsome’s Lindsey Harper

SS Lindsey Harper

2020 stats:  .333 avg., 8 RBIs

Career stats: .392, 50 RBIs, 96 runs

College: Tampa

Senior memories: “I knew it was a tough team to make. Only a select few get to be on the roster, so I was fortunate to be a part of that. There’s a strong bond just having so many seniors that are graduating at the same time and are going off to play in college. They definitely make you work harder. We push each other to get better.”

Best career moment: “The state final from last year. We got out to a lead and played our hardest, but we weren’t able to win. It was a teaching moment for us to leave it all on the field.” 


Newsome's Madison Hudson
Newsome’s Madison Hudson

OF Madison Hudson

2020 stats: .200 avg., 4 RBIs

Career stats: .325 avg., 19 runs

College: Coastal Carolina 

Senior memories: “It means a lot to me to be a part of this awesome program. My teammates and coaches mean the World to me. I love being on the field with them each and every day. We returned this year with one goal in mind and that was to get back to and win the State Championship.”

Best career moment: “The biggest moment of my high school career was when I was a freshman (in Texas) and we were down 8-7 in the top of the seventh with two outs and I hit a solo homer to keep us in the game.”


Newsome’s Brianna Langlois

2B Brianna Langlois

2020 stats: N/A (injured)

Career stats: .250 avg., 13 runs

College: Undecided

Senior memories: “It was an amazing opportunity to be a part of this team. I had a shoulder injury that kept me out and everyone continued to make me feel welcome and still be a part of the team.”

Best career moment: “Just being there everyday with my teammates. That’s what made me feel happy.” 


Newsome's Jada Smallwood
Newsome’s Jada Smallwood

UTIL Jada Smallwood

2020 stats: .538 avg., 10 RBIs, 2 HRs

Career stats: .441 avg., 83 RBIs, 12 HRs

College: Maryland

Senior memories: “Honestly it’s been such a blessing to play for Newsome softball the past four years, and I’ve loved every second of it. I’ve made so many memories on and off the field with these amazing girls and this senior class is truly something special. I really hope we get the chance to finish out our season.”

Best career moment: “Favorite memory is definitely going to states and playing in the state championship despite having the flu that game. But my favorite moment by far though was the homerun I hit in the semifinal game with a full count on a change up into the middle of the water behind the field.”


Newsome's McKayla Timmons
Newsome’s McKayla Timmons

1B McKayla Timmons

2020 stats: .500 avg., 8 RBIs

Career stats: .503 avg., 70 RBIs, 13 HRs

College: Ball State

Senior memories: “We’re pretty talented and to be around this amazing group of girls is special. I came here as a sophomore and they were very accepting and helped me make new friends.”

Best career moment: “When we knew we were going to the state semifinals last year was the best feeling. We were trying to make it all the way and came pretty close.”


Newsome's Daniela Waldron
Newsome’s Daniela Waldron

OF Daniela Waldron

2020 stats: .278, 2 RBIs

Career stats: .322 avg., 27 runs, 15 RBIs

College: Undecided

Senior memories: “I moved here from New York three years ago. Being a part of this team and with these seniors changed my softball and high school experience. They were very open and became family to me.”

Best career moment: “The experience of going to states last year and just having that experience and knowing how well we played to get there.”