You see it all too often: a promising athlete goes down with an injury and gets overlooked in the recruiting process, but the story isn’t over for North Carolina standout junior Mary Williams, who’s back bigger and better than ever and dominating in the circle and at the plate this spring.

College coaches who are looking for a versatile, personable and spiritual athlete should be taking note of this sleeper and keeping tabs on her now and throughout the summer…

Player: Mary Williams
Pos: pitcher/utility
Grad Year: 2015
High School: Cape Fear (N.C.)
Club team: Carolina Wildcats
Stats: (2014 high school) – 16-0 pitching record, 0.0 ERA; batting average of .633
Honors: 2013 Conference Pitcher of the Year and 2013 regional player of the year after only pitching seven games of her sophomore season.

 

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StudentSportsSoftball.com: You suffered an ACL injury that shortened your year in 2013 and then had surgery last summer… how are you feeling now?
Mary Williams: I am feeling very thankful and blessed. Although, I am still in the recovery process, I have been so blessed as to how successful my surgery went and how fast I was able to be back on the field.

SSS.com:  Did missing all that time take you off the recruiting scene for a while?
MW: I missed my freshman year of softball due to some complications so I was already behind on the recruiting process. Once I tore my ACL, I fell even further off the recruiting radar. Missing half of my sophomore year season and a whole summer of travel ball was a big setback for me and my exposure to college coaches.

 

SSS.com: Where are you now in terms of college interest… is your strong season getting you looks or will it likely come this summer?
MW: I have had a few looks and offers, but I am still praying as to what God’s will for me is and where he wants me playing ball. I am unsure of when and to where I will commit but I know that it will all be in God’s plan and timing.

SSS.com: What do you think you do well on the field?
MW: I think I keep my composure on the field well and I keep a smile on my face even when things aren’t going my way.

 

SSS.com: What would you say to a college coach who’s thinking of recruiting you?
MW: I would say that I will work hard to help contribute to his or her team’s success and that I am a team player who will always keep a positive attitude on and off the field.

SSS.com: What would you say has been your best softball experience to date?
MW: One of my best softball experiences would be giving the devotion Sunday mornings at travel ball tournaments. Even though it isn’t an on-the-field experience, giving those devotions makes such an impact on me and I have so much fun sharing the word of God with girls I play ball with.

SSS.com: Do you see yourself more as a pitcher primarily, a positional player mostly or a two-way player?
MW: A pitcher. It’s my favorite thing ever to do. I love being on the mound and I love feeling in control of the game.

SSS.com:  A 16-0 record to start the year… Can’t get much better than that!  What are your pitches and what would you say is your “out” pitch?
MW: A magician never reveals his secrets! (laughs) 

 

SSS.com: What are you like off the field… quiet, crazy, studious, goofy, fun-loving, or something else (or all the above!)?
MW: Off the field, I’m busy and always rushing around. Everybody who sees me daily knows that I am always in a rush to get somewhere or do something between work, school, church and my family. With my friends, I am crazy and always laughing.

SSS.com: What do you want to study and do once your softball career is over?
MW: I want to become a physical therapist for athletes and hopefully be able to coach at a collegiate level one day!

SSS.com: In one sentence or less, describe what softball means to you…
MW: Softball is my way of honoring God with the talents he has blessed me with; it means everything to me.

SSS.com:  What’s a favorite phrase or philosophy you pattern your life after?
MW: Colossians 3:17 – And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.