When September 1 dawned for Tara Tarnowski she was optimistic she would hear from college coaches across the country.

Ranked No. 4 in the Line Drive Media 2028 HOT 100, Tara had established herself as a top pitcher with Impact Gold Jackson and at Bridgeland High School in Texas.

“Leading up to September 1 it was very nerve wracking, but very exciting,” the junior said. “And then, when it finally got here, I was very nervous. But it was so fun getting to see what schools were interested in me and just getting to learn about all the other programs.”

One of the very first calls she received piqued her interest; that call was from Missouri head coach Larissa Anderson.

Tara had seen the Missouri coaches at her Impact Gold games during national tournaments, but she had never been to camp in Columbia.

Any doubts on the Tigers interest level were quickly dispelled by Coach Anderson.

“When it came to September 1 that’s when I found out they were super interested.”

Tara soon realized that it was mutual as she was very interested in what Missouri had to offer.

“Coach Anderson was asking me what I was looking for in a school, and I realized that I wanted to go on a visit there because everything that I said that I wanted in a school they had. It was just cool getting to know that they had a lot of stuff that I was looking for.”

And once she arrived on campus at Columbia, the Texan knew it would be her new home.

“My visit was so good. When I got there, I stepped on campus and I knew it was going to be amazing. Everything that I did when I was there was just so fun, and I loved being around the girls too. The culture that they have is so good and my relationships with the coaches is good.”

Another factor that helped to solidify her choice were the players who were also there on her visit.

Five other top recruits—Maisey McCarty (P/1B, ROI Midwest), Jaeda Tucker (P/OF, Fury Platinum X), Brooke Edevold (IF, Impact Gold Jackson 18U), Keke Jordan (C/IF, Impact Gold Jackson 18U) and Ella Fleming (C/IF, Unity Johnson VB) were also on her visit.

Each of them had already committed to Missouri and Edevold and Jordan are her teammates on Impact Gold Jackson.

“I had played against Jaeda and Ella in the summer, and they’re really good players. I never played against Maisey, but I knew she’s a great teammate. And it was just good getting to know them on the visit. And Brooke, she’s my third baseman and Kiki’s my catcher.”

“It’s just amazing, getting to meet new people while I’m in college, but getting to have people that I know have been there with me through a lot of things, and so we have a really good group.”

After returning home to Cypress, Texas, Tara felt she could make her decision.

“I talked to Jazz (Jackson) because she’s been a really big help through all of it. We talked about the other schools that were interested in me and compared them to Missouri.  My parents just told me they support me in whatever decision I make. I knew that whatever decision I made it was going to be a good choice because it’s God’s plan.”

Ultimately, the decision Tara made centered around culture and trust.

“When I was there, everything about it was just so good. The campus, the academics and it’s in the SEC. I was impressed with the culture of the program, which is important to me. It was very welcoming and family first. And I knew if I was going to be someplace that is a little further away from home, I want to be somewhere I can be myself and feel valued. And Missouri is where I feel that.”

M-I-Z, Z-O-U!

*****

There was a moment in November 2024 that Tara Tarnowski’s dream of playing softball for a premier school could have slipped away.

She had just torn her ACL and was facing surgery and rehabilitation.

“When I found out, it was really devastating. I didn’t think everything was over, but I was mad that all my hard work had to come to a stop.”

But Tara did what she always does. She surrounded herself with her family and friends and got to work following her surgery in January 2025.

“My parents were a big part of my recovery. They were taking me everywhere. They were really determined to help me be the best I could be in any way. My grandpa was a really big help too. He was supportive through the whole thing. And any time I had a tiny little milestone, he was so happy about it. It was just so fun.”

“Getting to make my parents proud and get back to where I needed to be, and my friends were very assuring that I’ll come back stronger than I was before, so that’s what I worked towards throughout the whole rehabilitation. Coming back and being stronger than I was before.”

Tara also learned more about herself during the process.

“My injury really taught me how to be relentless and push through the hard times no matter how hard it gets. God has a plan for you, and so it’s all happening for a reason. My biggest motivation through it all was that God wouldn’t put me through it if he didn’t know I could make it.”

And once she returned to the circle without a knee brace she knew she was back.

“My main realization that I was back fully was when I was in high school. I played my fall season, and I had to wear a knee brace for safety. But when I finally got to play without the brace, I felt so confident in myself. I was able to play freely and not overthink things. That was something that meant a lot to me.”

*****

Tara Tarnowski achieved a significant milestone in her softball journey. She has committed to continuing her softball career at a P4 school in the SEC.

“I always wanted to play in the SEC because the SEC is obviously where it’s at. The SEC offers the best competition and that’s the biggest thing for me. There are plenty of good programs outside of the SEC, but I just think that Mizzou really has something special, and we’re going to be good.”

She has celebrated with family, future teammates and friends, but she knows the next step begins immediately.

“My plan for this year is just to try and get stronger in the weight room and try and get stronger on the field in any way I can and off the field mentally.

“I just joined the 18U team, and so we’re going to practice every weekend. We’re really getting ready for this fall, and we’re just trying to put all the pieces together and really go after everyone this fall season. I’m willing to work on anything that I need to work on to be the best player I can be.”

From a pitching standpoint, Tara is focused on improving what she currently does well.

“I think that right now, I’m just trying to focus on my best pitches. But after the fall, I’ll probably go to a camp at Missouri. Then I can learn the things I need to focus on prior to getting to Como.”

She has already received words of encouragement from Larissa Anderson and the Missouri coaching staff.

“They told me to keep doing what I’m doing because what I’m doing is plenty good for them. They told me I have an opportunity to have a really big impact on their team, and I know nothing is guaranteed in life, but my main goal is to take advantage of the opportunities that are given to me when I get there.”

“I’m hoping to make a big impact and that’s what they are excited about.”

— Roger McAfee/Line Drive Media Correspondent