Player Spotlight: Alli Gavin Turns Injury into Advantage

Alli Gavin didn’t even realize she had injured her hand.

Two years ago, at a prospect camp at the University of North Carolina, Gavin slid into second base during a drill and felt her thumb hit the dirt and roll over.

Not in a good way.

“I didn’t think it was anything because I was pulling on it just in case it was jammed,” Gavin said. “But nope, it was a fracture. But then we took the cast off and there was this one piece that chipped off and never really healed with the bone. So, they had to take that piece out and then anchor the tendon.”

And then followed four months of rehabilitation and learning what no young player wants to learn.

Patience.

“For me it was really about the mental part of it because I only had injuries previously when I was little,” she said. “I realized how important the mental aspect is and how to tell your brain that it’s okay and it’s healed.”

Gavin, who is a catcher, had injured her catching hand and that mental strength played a key role in her resuming playing and practicing.

“That was probably the hardest part, just telling my brain like it’s okay and I can do this, and it might feel a little uncomfortable and may hurt at times. That’s when I took a step back and realized I had to ease back into it because I still had to work on my strength and flexibility.”

Fully back on the field, Gavin has resumed doing what she enjoys the most and that is catching.

“I have played every position but pitcher, but I got thrown into catching one day and have loved it ever since,” she said. “I love to see everything from a different point of view and as a catcher you see the entire field.

“I love to lead the game, to have a part in calling pitches and to set the defense. My favorite part of catching itself is framing pitches. I love to frame.”

Gavin is finishing her final year at Indian Creek High School but is anticipating next year when she will join the softball program at Illinois State.

“Everything happens for a reason, and I think honestly God led me to Illinois State after my injury,” Gavin said. “I love the coaches at Illinois State and how down to earth they are. The campus is beautiful, and I think it’s the perfect fit for me.

“I’m looking forward to meeting everybody because there are so many personalities within a team and I’m excited to create friendships that will last a lifetime. I also want to help contribute to the success of the team as much as I can.”

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More about Alli…

Player Name: Alli Gavin
Position: Catcher
Parents Names: Tracey Gavin & Bob Gavin
Club Name: Beverly Bandits 18U (Holloway/Mack)

What are your team’s top accomplishments?

• (29-6) 2023 Summer Season Record
• (40-11) 2022 Fall Season Record
• 2022 Top 25 Scenic City Champs
• 2022 Fall PGF Shootout Champions
• 2021 #4 Extra Inning Softball Team Ranking

What are your top individual accomplishments (stats, honors, titles)?

• Returning to the field after a season ending injury that required surgery and rehabilitation
• Academic Honors Student – 3.81 GPA
• Led the 2023 Indian Creek High School team with a batting average (.429), OBP (.515), HR (6) and fielding (1.000)
• Three-time Western Indiana All-Conference
• Two-time All-County
• Two-time IHSAA All-US Central Indiana honorable mention
• Illinois State University 2024 commit
• 2022 Extra Inning Softball overall #58 / #37 catcher

What are your strengths in softball?
My greatest strengths include framing, pitch calling, leading the defense and reading the hitters. I’ve developed a strong relationship with my pitchers and understanding their strengths, weaknesses and tendencies helps me to make the right decisions behind the plate and keep hitters off balance.

What is your favorite softball memory?
My favorite memories include all of the lifelong friends and families I have met throughout my softball journey. I’ve been blessed to be surrounded by coaches and players that have had a positive impact and helped mold to me into the person and player I am today.

Do you have any softball superstitions?
I am not big on superstitions, but before morning games Starbucks Strawberry Acai with lemonade, light ice, no berries or a brown sugar shaken espresso is a must!

If you could meet anyone in the softball world, who would it be?
I’m lucky to say I’ve already met someone pretty special. I’ve had the opportunity to have Chaunsey Bell (University of Alabama – 2012 National Champion) as an instructor and role model for most of my softball journey. She has helped me develop my skills as a catcher, mentally as a player, but more importantly a witness to a competitive softball player becoming a successful business owner and mother of two who lives her passion to helping develop players every day.

What is one thing you have learned from your coach that will always stay with you?
“Winning a game isn’t as important as the journey of how we won/lost, but did we play good softball” – Bandits Coach Rex Mack/Coach Seth Holloway

What is something unique about you?
I don’t like cheese, but love pizza with ranch.

Who is your hero and why?
My mom is my hero. She is the most selfless and supportive person I know. I’ll never know how she balances being a parent, wife and having a successful career. I could write pages about what a great person she is but I will keep it short. She is the exact person I aspire to be although I don’t think I have inherited her patience. Thank you mom for being the person I look up to!

What other activities/hobbies do you enjoy outside of softball?
Outside of softball I enjoy spending time with my family, dogs (Bailey and Cooper), fitness/conditioning, and working as a barista at a local coffee shop.

If you could have dinner with anyone (dead or alive), who would it be and why?
I lost my grandparents at a very young age. I would love to have dinner with all of them to hear stories about my family’s history and get to know them better. In particular I would like to learn more about my grandfather’s experience as a pitcher and football player for the University of Alabama.