Lily Valeo is a senior middle infielder currently at Cambridge High in Milton, Ga.

The 5-foot-8 standout who plays club ball for the East Cobb Bullets-Schnute 18U team says:

“Ever since I started playing softball, I wanted to play at the highest level. My dream was to play for a Div. I school and it was realized a few weeks back when Coach (Ashley) Obrest asked me to play for the Boston College Eagles. BC was my dream school!”

FloSoftball asked Lily to detail her recruiting process and how a girl from the Peach State ends up going to a school in the Northeast!

Here’s what she had to say:

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My journey was probably very similar to many other girls.

It started when I was 14 years old going to camps, playing in showcases tournaments and trying out for the best travel teams. It was stressful!

My goal was to keep working, get better, have a great attitude and knowing that someone would recognize me and my abilities and that’s what happened.

I was asked to play for Coach Greg Schnute, Coach Todd Walters and Coach Patrick O’Rielly with the East Cobb 18U Gold travel team out of Georgia. We traveled the country playing the best teams and that really helped me understand what it takes to be good.

The coaches were very supportive and would give me list of college camps to attend or help contact coaches who were looking for players.

In December of 2014 I was invited by BC’s assistant coach to the Boston College winter softball camp so everyday leading up to my visit my dad and my sister would go to a park and practice.

At night I would do research on the school to make sure that I asked the right questions and to really find out if the school was a right fit for me. The more and more I researched the more I got excited about the visit and playing for Boston College.

The moment I arrived, I fell in love with the campus. At the camp I met the coaches for the first time. They really made me feel comfortable and were so knowledgeable about softball. They made the camp visit a great experience!

I felt I did very well, hitting solid line drives and making all the plays in the field. I really felt confident and prepared because of the work I did leading up to the camp and my experience playing for East Cobb.

After this experience I really wanted to play for Coach Obrest and Boston College and get a great education.

Fast forward to six months later as East Cobb entered the Independence Day tournament in Boulder, Col.

We were playing the country’s best teams. I knew the BC coaches would be coming and that I had to play my best.

I felt I did do well with timely hits and made all the plays in the field.

I was hoping that I was the type of player they needed, but it wasn’t until the next tournament in Reno that I got a email from Coach Obrest asking me to return a call.

I was so excited I could not sleep!

The next morning I called and that’s when Coach Obrest offered me a spot on the Boston College team. I was overwhelmed with joy and, of course, I accepted!

I immediately called my parents and then my coaches. I could not have done this without the help and support of my family, teammates and my three special Bullets’ coaches.

They all helped guide me through the recruiting process and kept encouraging during all the ups and downs.

I am very blessed and thankful for my family and looking forward to being a Boston College Eagle!