RANKINGS
EVENTS
I COMMITTED
COLLEGE
ABOUT
In August, East Coast-based senior infielder Libby Walsh gave a verbal to the West-Coast based Arizona State Sun Devils.
It took a long journey to get there and we’re not talking physical distance, but the battle to overcome injury and odds to play at such an elite level.
Two years ago in a game, Libby slid awkwardly and heard a “pop” in her knee. The result was about as bad as you could get, yet she persevered and was ultimately offered by a strong university in-state.
But wanting to play at the Power 5, Libby ultimately committed this summer to a program far away from home:
I am extremely excited to announce my commitment to Arizona State University! Big thanks to my family, friends, coaches, and many more for helping throughout this process. GO SUN DEVILS😈🔱 @coachcbartlett @Jkolaitis3 @thunderjam134 pic.twitter.com/mOa1IWXDuq
— Libby Walsh 2023 (@libbywalsh2023) August 18, 2022
For years, the athlete has competed for Head Coach Dave Lotti of the powerful Rhode Island Thunder travel organization. He’s seen—and appreciated—her passion to play the game.
“Libby is a kid who used to come to our practices and sit and watch a four-hour practice at 10 years old,” the coach recalls, “hoping that one day she would be out there as a Rhode Island Thunder player.”
“One of the greatest memories I have of her is when she participated in our winter combine as a 10-year-old and actually stood out amongst many that were even in high school at the time.”
“It’s been a tough road for her as her injury happened at the worst possible time recruiting wise which was the spring of her sophomore year but she will tell you that some good came out of such an untimely injury as she has an even deeper appreciation of the game.”
The softball player’s mother, Kristen Walsh, has seen the passion her daughter has had for softball almost for as long as the youngster could walk and talk.
“I just thought she was a coordinated kid with boundless energy,” the mom laughs. “She taught herself to ride a two-wheeler and swim without floats at 3 years old. At age 4, Libbs would watch the Rhode Island Thunder girls practice with Coach Lotti on our hometown field and, one day while watching, she pointed and said: ‘Mom, I’m going to do that someday.’”
And she got a huge head start competing with players—including her sister—who were years older. That recreational softball team was coached by a high school senior, Maggie Quealy, who played for the Thunder and her father who coached the team. He invited a preschool-aged Libby to practice with her 5th grade sister and she even got to play in a game.
“I thought he was out of his mind,” Libby’s mother recalls, “but he saw something in Libbs and he continued to coach her until she finally made the leap to play for Coach Lotti and the Thunder, which brought her the challenges she was wanting to help her improve her game.”
Extra Inning Softball correspondent Joy Roeder recently caught up with Libby to shine more light on her story… here’s a closer look.
*****
Name: LIBBY WALSH
Grad Year: 2023
Positions: Shortstop, third base, second base
High School: King Philip Regional High (Wrentham, Mass.)
High School Coach: Kate Fallon
Club: Rhode Island Thunder 18U National- Lotti
Club Coaches: Dave Lotti, Frank Lieto, Dustin Brundage, and Bob Rossi
Committed: Arizona State
Extra Inning Softball: Let’s go back to the beginning… how did you get into softball?
Libby Walsh: Growing up in a softball/baseball dominate town with older siblings, the softball field was like a second home. When I was 7 years old, I was able to practice with my older sister’s team and learn from great coaches who played Division 1 softball. Having role models like my older sister, her friends, and the coaches definitely influenced me to play softball.
EIS: What organizations have you played for through the years and what led you to the Rhode Island Thunder?
LW: Prior to Thunder, I played for a local team called KP Pride. I started playing there when I was 7 years old and made the switch to Thunder in 9th grade. Since Thunder held practices in my hometown, I loved to go and watch them play. My biggest goal as a kid was to be able to play for Thunder and be coached by Dave Lotti.
EIS: At what age did you realize you might be able to play at the collegiate level?
LW: I realized that I would be able to play at the collegiate level when I was 10/11 years old. I used to help out with the showcase camps that Thunder would hold, and when I was 10 and 11 years old, I participated in the camp. Being able to hang with older players that were looking to play at the collegiate level showed me that I could do the same thing.
EIS: Tell us about your injury…
LW: During my sophomore year of high school, I tore my ACL and meniscus. It was during a high school game and happened in the first inning. After tagging up on a fly ball to right field, as I was going to slide around the tag, my left leg landed funny. My knee has twisted out of place, and I heard a pop. I instantly knew that I had torn a ligament. Two weeks later, it was found that my ACL was completely torn and my meniscus was badly torn as well. Crying in the surgeon’s office, I couldn’t help but think my chances of playing at the highest level were over.
EIS: Was there ever a time you thought you might not play again?
LW: A week after having ACL reconstruction surgery, the doctor found there was an infection in my knee. I was in the hospital for a week to had to have three surgical clean outs. Before I was released, a PICC line IV was put into my upper arm for the antibiotic medication I had to take for six weeks. This was the lowest point of my recovery process and it felt like I would never come back from that.
EIS: Was there ever a time (not from injury) you thought about not playing? If so, what made you keep playing?
LW: I was a multi-sport athlete growing up. I played softball, soccer, and basketball. I can’t remember if there was a time where I didn’t want to play softball, but I do know that if I wasn’t playing softball, I would be playing soccer.
EIS: What are some of the things ball players sacrifice to be able to compete on a national club level?
LW: Some of the sacrifices that a player might have to make are missing school dances, parties, and not being able to play multiple sports. Since being with Thunder, I haven’t been able to go to homecoming or play other sports. Personally, I never look back wishing I was able to go to school dances or play other sports.
EIS: What sacrifices have your family members made in order for you to play competitive national level club softball?
LW: With two older siblings in college, they made sacrifices to commute to school to save money for me to be able to play for a competitive club team. My parents also sacrificing time out of their days to drive me to practices, lessons, and the airport. They also took time out of their weekends to work Thunder showcases to help pay for the costs of Thunder.
EIS: Who are you the biggest influences in your life outside of your family?
LW: My biggest influence outside of my family is my old coach, Elise Fortier. She pushed me to be a better softball player, but more importantly a better person. She believed in me and pushed me to reach my goals. Although she’s not my coach anymore, I know that she will always be there for me at my best and at my worst.
EIS: What led you to commit to UMass initially?
LW: In early December, I decided to commit to UMass because it was the best fit for me at the time. Growing up, a lot of the coaches I had played for UMass, so it was a very familiar school with a good reputation.
EIS: How long after you committed did you begin to think you possibly wanted to open back up the recruiting process?
LW: As I got closer to the end of my recovery process, I started to think about opening up my recruitment again. After playing in the Top Gun tournament this summer, it felt like the right decision to open up my recruitment.
EIS: What advice were you receiving at the time from family and coaches?
LW: My family had mixed emotions. UMass is a great school, and at times they didn’t understand why I would want to walk away from that, but they understood the goals I had for myself and the sacrifices I made in order to play at the higher level. They gave me a little more perspective on how big this decision was. My coaches fully supported my decision, and helped me reach out to college coaches.
EIS: What drew you to Arizona State?
LW: Growing up watching college softball, I always enjoyed watching Pac-12 teams play. Arizona State was one of the first schools that I really enjoyed watching play. In the fall of my sophomore year, Thunder had a tournament in Arizona, so while I was out there, I was able to see the campus.
EIS: What advice would you give your younger self or young ball players who have dreams of playing in college?
LW: I would tell them to set goals for themselves. I am a very goal-oriented person, so when I set a goal whether it’s big or small, I will do everything I can to reach it. Sometimes the paths to reaching goals isn’t how you envisioned it, but by being resilient the setbacks you face won’t matter when you reach your goal.
EIS: Who is your favorite pro and/or collegiate player?
LW: My favorite collegiate player is Baylee Klinger. She’s a really fun player to watch both offensively and defensively. I am also a big baseball fan, and my favorite player, as much as it hurts to say as a Red Sox fan, is Derek Jeter.
EIS: What is your favorite non softball activity?
LW: I am very into music. When I’m not playing softball, my friends and I like to listen to music and play instruments. With my time away from softball from the injury, music was big filler for softball whether I was listening to music or playing instruments. I learned how to play guitar and drums.
Some defensive highlights from this week so far. Cant wait to be back on the field tomorrow morning! @thunderjam134 @RITG16unational @BobRossiRITG @Frank_Lieto @dustinb120 @Los_Stuff @ExtraInningSB @BrenttEads pic.twitter.com/2FVE9zUGZi
— Libby Walsh 2023 (@libbywalsh2023) July 26, 2022
EIS: Who are your role models or people you look up to? How have they influenced your journey?
LW: Some of my role models or people I look up to are Michael Jordan, Dwayne Wade, and Tom Brady. During my recovery process I read a lot of books on the mental game in sports, and stories of MJ, Dwayne Wade, and Tom Brady really influenced me. Reading about how they came back from injuries or issues in their personal life showed me that I could do the same. I really connected with Tom Brady because he went through the same knee injury and had an infection like I did.
EIS: What do you plan to study in college?
LW: I would like to study exercise science in college. After going through months of rehab, I really enjoyed going to physical therapy. Learning how the body works and why it works that way is very interesting to me. My PT was a big influence with me wanting to explore this career path. I think I asked him 100 questions about how or why my knee did the things it did.
EIS: What is your dream job?
LW: My dream job is to coach at a high level whether it’s softball or baseball. I’m very fortunate to have only had great coaches for softball in all my years of playing.
EIS: What do you want to be remembered for when your softball career is over?
LW: I would like to be remembered for my competitiveness and dedication to the game.