In the 29-year history of the Youngstown State softball program no pitcher has accomplished more than Kim Givens.
Twelve years after her YSU career, she still ranks first in wins (46), shutouts (18), complete games (76), innings pitched (623) and appearances (101). She still ranks in the top three with a 1.83 ERA (third) and 303 strikeouts (third).
She was also the only YSU student-athlete to earn Mid-Continent Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year accolades.
Givens holds season records with eight shutouts (1996), 28 complete games (1994), 200.2 IP (1994) and became the first pitcher to strikeout 100 batters in a season in 1996. At the plate, she finished with 86 hits, 38 RBI and 32 runs scored.
As a senior, she was a first-team All-Mid-Con Eastern Division selection. Givens had 23 starts and 23 complete games for the Guins, posting eight shutouts. For the year, she made 29 appearances and earned one save.
She threw 168.2 innings and struck out 102 while posting a 1.54 earned-run average to finish with a 14-12 record. She excelled down the stretch, winning her final four decisions. At the plate, she had 18 hits, including three doubles.
As a junior, she threw 21 complete games in 23 starts. Givens posted an 11-11 record while earning a save. She had 153.1 innings pitched, 65 strikeouts and 2.47 ERA. She was in the circle for 11 of the Penguins’ 18 victories that year.
During her junior campaign she played a key role as YSU established a then school-best 29 victories. That mark is still tied for second in school history.
She finished the year with a 14-15 record, appearing in 32 games. She had 28 starts, all complete games, along with six shutouts and two saves. She posted 90 strikeouts and a 1.81 ERA in 200.2 innings pitched. At the plate, she had a career-high 29 hits and 20 RBI.
In her freshman campaign, she had 15 starts and 14 complete games, including a no-hitter. In 18 appearances, Givens threw 100.1 innings, finishing 4-6 with a 2.30 ERA and 46 strikeouts. She had 29 hits at the plate.
She was a double major at YSU, earning bachelor’s degrees in Special and Regular Education. She earned her master’s from the University of Akron in Special Education.
She is currently an Intervention Specialist working with students with disabilities at Dodge Intermediate in the Twinsburg City School system. Givens also coaches the varsity program at Twinsburg where the program has won three conference titles.
Givens was a graduate of Archbishop Hoban High School where she was a member of the two-time state champion volleyball and softball teams.
Kim Madden and her husband, Marcus, have a son Conner and reside in Stow.
