Maddy Clowdus is a 2015 catcher from Corona, Calif. who just recently committed.  The exciting decision was the culmination of a lot of work after she suffered an injury that forced her to make a fateful decision: have surgery, which could have possibly ended her career, or go through a year of grueling workouts and therapy.

Here, in her words and images, is the account of Maddy’s battle back to where she is today…

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Softball recruiting has been a journey for me… let me explain.

I’m a 5-foot-9 catcher and go to Eleanor Roosevelt High School and as a sophomore was All Big VIII (all-league).

My whole family is athletic with my dad and all my uncles playing football and baseball in college.

I have two great sisters who are role models for me. My oldest sister Samantha had a successful softball career at Evangel University and now coaches at Lindenwood University-Belleville and my sister Nicole plays at LMU as the starting catcher.

They are the best role models.

My dad has been inspirational to me and has been my biggest supporter.  He has taught me to believe in myself and to lead by inspiration so I go to work on the field with a positive attitude to help lead and inspire my teammates.

However, late in my sophomore year I separated my right shoulder (type II/III) in a collision at home plate. I tried to play through the pain through last summer but my arm was increasingly going numb and I could not raise it.

Trying to throw or swing a bat was unbearable. Surgery was a consideration, but could have ended my softball career so I went thru extensive therapy every day for almost a year. This put me behind in the recruiting process, missing out on my junior year.

I had to step up my workout regiment to catch up. Here’s a video showing my workouts on my way back:

I enlisted the help of a company, FastpitchScout.com that allowed me to reach out to coaches across the nation to see if they had a need for a 2015 catcher.

Through this process it allowed me to establish a communication channel and develop relationships with coaches who had looked at me as a sophomore and to those who just discovered me.

The results were unbelievable.

I got seven scholarship offers ranging from top D-1 programs, mid-major programs and NAIA schools.

After going on official visits I decided to commit to the University of North Dakota, a Division I program in the Big Sky Conference.

They just hired Coach Jordan Stevens from Valpo, who guided them to two Regional appearances in four years. He had watched me as a sophomore, knew of my injury and was excited to see me in action again and made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.

Also, I loved the campus, the players welcomed me with open arms and the atmosphere there is great . Coach Stevens is rebuilding the program and felt I would be a player who would come in and make a difference in the programs future success.

What more could you ask for?

I play for Firecrackers – Fitzgerald 18U and we have an outstanding team and Coach Fitzgerald has pushed me to become better player. I also had some great coaches along the way, Coach Pat Kelley with So Cal Fillys and Coach Bobby Flores with Cal Lite.

This past summer I had seven home runs and two grand slams and hit .427. My power is back and I also threw out every player who tried to steal.

I feel I’m back ready to play!

— Maddy Clowdus