Most of us know what it’s like to get hurt, to not be able to do something because of injury. But for two Boston University softball players last year, injuries proved detrimental to their seasons.
Junior pitcher Cassidi Hardy and senior outfielder Tyler Benson both sat out the 2007 season with injuries.
Benson was sidelined because her body developed chondrolysis – the disappearance of articular cartilage – after a reaction to a post-operative pain pump in her shoulder in 2006. Since that summer, she has undergone two surgeries to clean out the degenerated cartilage and rested last season to give her body time to recuperate.
Though she couldn’t play, Benson still went to every game and practice.
“At practice I’d help out in any way I could,” Benson said. “Just sitting there and watching was definitely hard, and that is why I tried to stay involved with the team.”
Last summer, Benson started some light lifting and began rehabbing her shoulder, which has paid off with her return to the team as a tri-captain this season. She said she’s currently healthy, and that her shoulder doesn’t affect her hitting or throwing.
“I was just so excited to get back to playing, and now this year I have a different role,” Benson said. “It is definitely more responsibility, but I’m so thankful that I’ve been given the chance to play again because last year I wasn’t sure if that was possible.”
Hardy made 11 appearances in 2007 before being sidelined with a season-ending shoulder injury. With 55 games left on the schedule, she just made the cut to qualify as a redshirt sophomore. Like Benson, Hardy’s injury did not prevent her from joining the team for games, practices and workouts.
“I have been waiting a year to get back on the field and get some wins since the last game against Albany in 2006 at conference [playoffs],” Hardy said. “I am better and more mature on the mound than I was then, and I’m ready to take the circle and help BUSB get a conference title one game at a time.”
Through the season’s first two weekends, Hardy has pitched two shutouts – one against California State-Northridge in the Marriot Houston Classic and another against South Dakota State at the Tiger Invite. Benson has been switching between right field and designated hitter.
“Being out for a year gave me a whole new perspective and made me even more excited for this season,” Benson said.
Both said they have high hopes for the next few months.
“[The team is] constantly getting better. We push each other and strive to get better every day,” Hardy said. “This mentality was around me throughout all of last year and is a big part of my ability to come back strong this year.”