RICHMOND – Varsity softball coach Staci Maddux’s Spartans received recognition from the Missouri High School Fastpitch Softball Coaches’ Association for knocking their grades out of the park last fall. The Spartans ranked among the Class 3 programs that received a Softball Academic All-State Award. They did so for posting a team grade point average of 3.68. A 3.3 is the minimum GPA required for a program to receive the honor, association information stated. In additional, nine Spartans received individual academic all-state honors: Sydney Appleberry, Kayden Bowman, Kendra Green, Aireanna Hoeppner, Abrey Oldham, Mackenzey Peach, Kaylee Pugh, Mykayla Thaxton and Haylee Weber. Maddux said the individual total either matched or topped the program’s previous mark. “I’m just very fortunate,” she said Feb. 24. “The girls work very hard in the classroom.” Maddux makes sure they work hard academically. “I check their grades every two weeks,” she said. “If they don’t have the grades, then…