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Maddie Nadrich cheers on her teammates in the dugout during a UB softball game in the spring.

Maddie Nadrich (in the blue jersey) cheers on her teammates in the dugout during a UB softball game in the spring. Photo: Paul Hokanson

The newest member of the UB softball team sports braces, has a fish named Creamsicle and likes the number 11 because it reminds her of bacon. That’s ok—she’s 12. Maddie Nadrich, of East Amherst, N.Y., was signed by the Bulls through Team IMPACT, a national nonprofit that aims to improve the quality of life for children with chronic or life-threatening illnesses by pairing them up with a local college team (Maddie was born with connective tissue and immune system disorders). “She’s going through a lot…but you wouldn’t know it by looking at her. She’s a fighter,” says UB coach Trena Peel.