On a rain-delayed Senior Day at Middletown High School North, the Shore Conference witnessed history. Senior ace Madilynn Boyce, one of New Jersey’s most dominant pitchers, became just the 26th player in state history to record 1,000 career strikeouts — and she did it in storybook fashion.
Boyce entered the game needing six strikeouts to hit the milestone, and in front of a packed home crowd, she wasted no time. She struck out the side in both the first and second innings, reaching 1,000 with a punchout of Calista Vowteras — who fouled off two bunt attempts before going down swinging.
“When reaching the 1,000 strikeout milestone was first brought up to me, I didn’t know what to think,” said Boyce. “It’s a huge accomplishment. Being able to represent Middletown North is so big. There are so many amazing athletes and softball pitchers in the state of New Jersey, but being able to be 1 of 26 players to reach this milestone is so life-changing and means so much to me.”
She didn’t stop there. With Middletown North’s legendary pitcher Malori Bell — who also hit 1,000 strikeouts on Senior Day in 2019 — in the stands, Boyce struck out the first 12 batters of the game and finished with 18 in a 1-0 victory over Toms River East. It was the 29th time in her career she fanned 15 or more in a single game. She now sits at 1,012 career strikeouts and counting.
For head coach Chris Hoffman, it was another unforgettable chapter in a remarkable coaching journey.
“I’m fortunate to coach who I’ve coached and where I’ve coached,” said Hoffman. “Not too many coaches get the opportunity to coach one player who’s reached 1,000 strikeouts. Coach Apice and I have had two.”
Boyce’s path to 1,000 began as a freshman, when she struck out 132 batters in just 63 innings. By her sophomore season, she had become a force of nature — racking up 309 strikeouts in 153.1 innings, including a career-high 22 on Opening Day. She followed that up with a junior campaign that featured 372 strikeouts and a 0.93 ERA, the lowest in the Shore Conference.
Now in her senior season, Boyce has continued to shine in the ultra-competitive Class A North division, averaging over 13 strikeouts per seven innings against some of the top teams in New Jersey. Her poise under pressure has become her hallmark.
“Madilynn’s ability to bear down in pressure situations,” said Hoffman, “that’s what sets her apart. It’s no secret that we have had trouble scoring runs the past few seasons, so her ability to stay composed within a small margin of error is what sets her apart from the rest. Madilynn is 55-4 when we score at least one run.”
Despite the accolades, Boyce remains humble and grounded.
“Everyone always says ‘your stats are crazy good,’ and I always just laugh it off,” she said. “Strikeouts are a part of my job to help my team. It’s what I am in that circle and on that mound for — to create outs for my team and help everyone win the game.”
The journey to 1,000 was years in the making — one that started when Boyce was just a little girl watching her uncle pitch and idolizing older players like Bell.
“In 2019 when Mal reached her 1,000th career strikeout I was actually at the game, sitting in the dugout with them,” Boyce recalled. “I was a little 6th grade girl who was looking up to someone who was amazing at what she did. I remembered looking at my mom and telling her that I wanted to be like her one day. Now being a senior in high school and hitting my 1,000 career strikeout on Senior Day just like her is a full circle moment.”
Next up for Boyce is Seton Hall University, where she’ll continue her softball career at the Division I level. But for now, she’s soaking in a milestone that few ever reach.
“This accomplishment truly is a blessing, and I am so grateful to have been able to reach this milestone with the support of all my family, friends, teammates and coaches,” Boyce said. “I never once was afraid of the competition. I welcomed it.”
For Middletown North and the entire Shore Conference, Madilynn Boyce has not only been a once-in-a-generation pitcher — she’s been a symbol of perseverance, excellence, and inspiration.