Boston College Athletics
Photo by: John Quackenbos
Overcoming Obstacles
November 27, 2017 | Softball
Senior Jessica Dreswick has been a leader for the Eagles on and off the field
Senior pitcher Jessica Dreswick is no stranger to setbacks. Upon arriving on campus freshman year, the Flemington, N.J. native was unsure what to expect from Boston College both academically and athletically and she was challenged from the very beginning. Overcoming obstacles quickly became a new normal for the right-hander. Now a co-captain alongside classmates Allyson Frei and Chloe Sharabba, Dreswick understands that each setback has only made her stronger both on and off the softball diamond.
Year One
Throughout freshman year, Dreswick learned how to balance the demands of academics and athletics at BC. "Freshman year was a big year for me to get my feet under me and figuring out how to do all of the school work and the training," Dreswick said.
In addition to adjusting to a new place with different coaches and teammates, Dreswick also had to overcome the first injury of her collegiate career. By the time she was healthy enough to play, it was the middle of the season and Dreswick was competing against competitive ACC opponents. "It turned into a big growing year for me though because, getting thrown into it, I was all of a sudden competing in the ACC, which was awesome," Dreswick said.
Year Two
After overcoming the adjustment of freshman year, Dreswick felt excited at the start of her sophomore campaign. She learned to accept the support of her coaches and teammates, and matured a lot as a result.
It was also during her sophomore year that Dreswick pitched the first ACC no-hitter in Boston College softball history. On April 23, 2016 against ACC rival NC State, Dreswick got the Eagles back on track when she held the Wolfpack hitless for the first game of a three-game series in North Carolina. Dreswick entered the weekend unsure if she would throw at all.
"It was pretty much right in the middle of the season," Dreswick explained. "Around the time where I was growing a lot and learning to take ownership of my skill. I was growing as a player, but also a lot off the field."
When she learned that she would in fact be starting the first game, Dreswick knew there was a lot of pressure to throw well against a tough ACC opponent. "Wanting to help my team and wanting to contribute so badly and make sure that we could get to the ACC tournament, I just made losing not an option," Dreswick said. "I didn't realize that I was throwing a no-hitter until about the sixth inning."
The feeling of recording that final out in the seventh is something that Dreswick will never forget, as she permanently etched her name into the BC softball record books. "It was one of my favorite experiences so far," Dreswick said. "It's something that every pitcher wants to do in their career and it was cool because it was an ACC game. And then we ended up sweeping that weekend, so it turned things around."
Year Three
Junior year proved to be more challenging for Dreswick than she expected. It was during Christmas break that Dreswick began to notice that her right foot was bothering her. After doing X-rays, Dreswick learned that she had a stress fracture. But the right-hander was not the best at accepting injuries. "I'm one of those people who would just keep playing," Dreswick explained.
So with the help of her coaches and teammates, Dreswick found a way to continue to play. Athletic trainers gave Dreswick a boot to wear on her right foot and she also had a scooter that she balanced her right leg on so as to avoid putting pressure on it. Dreswick therefore spent the entire 2016 season scootering through airports, wearing her boot until she stepped on the mound. "It was pretty funny to get to games and park my scooter outside the dugout," Dreswick admitted. Â "Teams would stare at me and be very confused. I would warm up with my boot on, pop it off, pull on a cleat. I had special inserts and then we would wrap my foot up."
With the help of her coaches and athletic trainers, Dreswick was able to continue to play and practice. Following a weekend series, Dreswick always wanted to come back and make improvements. "They were very good about allowing me to throw and be safe," Dreswick said. "It was unconventional, but it worked. I'm pretty grateful for that whole situation."
Dreswick went on to lead the ACC in innings pitched that season with 235 innings and she broke the single-season win record at BC with 22 victories. She went through six different boots in the process. "It was a special season with a great team and having the boot on became a new normal," Dreswick said. "I came to play in the ACC. I didn't want a foot injury to keep me out of that. You only get four years"
The Final Season
Dreswick plans to use all of the lessons she has learned throughout her time thus far at BC in preparation for her senior season. As a captain, she is looking forward to serving as a role model to underclassmen in addition to improving upon the season she had last year.
"It goes by really fast," Dreswick said. "Each year, you're growing, growing and growing. And senior year doesn't have to be the last year you grow because it is a special year."
Dreswick's goal for the Eagles in her last season is to win the ACC Tournament, go to Regionals and make the NCAA Tournament. Individually, she knows how important is for her to soak in her final season in the maroon and gold.
"Growing and maturing each year and understanding that I have a lot of support around me has been a huge part of becoming the player that I am, the student that I am and the leader that I am on the team."
Â
Year One
Throughout freshman year, Dreswick learned how to balance the demands of academics and athletics at BC. "Freshman year was a big year for me to get my feet under me and figuring out how to do all of the school work and the training," Dreswick said.
In addition to adjusting to a new place with different coaches and teammates, Dreswick also had to overcome the first injury of her collegiate career. By the time she was healthy enough to play, it was the middle of the season and Dreswick was competing against competitive ACC opponents. "It turned into a big growing year for me though because, getting thrown into it, I was all of a sudden competing in the ACC, which was awesome," Dreswick said.
Year Two
After overcoming the adjustment of freshman year, Dreswick felt excited at the start of her sophomore campaign. She learned to accept the support of her coaches and teammates, and matured a lot as a result.
It was also during her sophomore year that Dreswick pitched the first ACC no-hitter in Boston College softball history. On April 23, 2016 against ACC rival NC State, Dreswick got the Eagles back on track when she held the Wolfpack hitless for the first game of a three-game series in North Carolina. Dreswick entered the weekend unsure if she would throw at all.
"It was pretty much right in the middle of the season," Dreswick explained. "Around the time where I was growing a lot and learning to take ownership of my skill. I was growing as a player, but also a lot off the field."
When she learned that she would in fact be starting the first game, Dreswick knew there was a lot of pressure to throw well against a tough ACC opponent. "Wanting to help my team and wanting to contribute so badly and make sure that we could get to the ACC tournament, I just made losing not an option," Dreswick said. "I didn't realize that I was throwing a no-hitter until about the sixth inning."
The feeling of recording that final out in the seventh is something that Dreswick will never forget, as she permanently etched her name into the BC softball record books. "It was one of my favorite experiences so far," Dreswick said. "It's something that every pitcher wants to do in their career and it was cool because it was an ACC game. And then we ended up sweeping that weekend, so it turned things around."
Year Three
Junior year proved to be more challenging for Dreswick than she expected. It was during Christmas break that Dreswick began to notice that her right foot was bothering her. After doing X-rays, Dreswick learned that she had a stress fracture. But the right-hander was not the best at accepting injuries. "I'm one of those people who would just keep playing," Dreswick explained.
So with the help of her coaches and teammates, Dreswick found a way to continue to play. Athletic trainers gave Dreswick a boot to wear on her right foot and she also had a scooter that she balanced her right leg on so as to avoid putting pressure on it. Dreswick therefore spent the entire 2016 season scootering through airports, wearing her boot until she stepped on the mound. "It was pretty funny to get to games and park my scooter outside the dugout," Dreswick admitted. Â "Teams would stare at me and be very confused. I would warm up with my boot on, pop it off, pull on a cleat. I had special inserts and then we would wrap my foot up."
With the help of her coaches and athletic trainers, Dreswick was able to continue to play and practice. Following a weekend series, Dreswick always wanted to come back and make improvements. "They were very good about allowing me to throw and be safe," Dreswick said. "It was unconventional, but it worked. I'm pretty grateful for that whole situation."
Dreswick went on to lead the ACC in innings pitched that season with 235 innings and she broke the single-season win record at BC with 22 victories. She went through six different boots in the process. "It was a special season with a great team and having the boot on became a new normal," Dreswick said. "I came to play in the ACC. I didn't want a foot injury to keep me out of that. You only get four years"
The Final Season
Dreswick plans to use all of the lessons she has learned throughout her time thus far at BC in preparation for her senior season. As a captain, she is looking forward to serving as a role model to underclassmen in addition to improving upon the season she had last year.
"It goes by really fast," Dreswick said. "Each year, you're growing, growing and growing. And senior year doesn't have to be the last year you grow because it is a special year."
Dreswick's goal for the Eagles in her last season is to win the ACC Tournament, go to Regionals and make the NCAA Tournament. Individually, she knows how important is for her to soak in her final season in the maroon and gold.
"Growing and maturing each year and understanding that I have a lot of support around me has been a huge part of becoming the player that I am, the student that I am and the leader that I am on the team."
Â
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