We’re often asked how we find out about subjects to do stories on.

Sometimes as we’re doing our research, an interesting topic will come to us or—as in the case with our profile of junior standout pitcher Gaby McAnaw in today’s edition of our “I Committed” series, it came through one of her coaches who wrote us explaining:

“I am one of Gaby’s coaches and thought she would make a great story to tell based on her recruiting and the fact that she is the first recruit from Maryland for the University of Washington (softball team).”

• Top player/recruit? Check.
• Interesting story behind her commit? Check.
• Player worth following over the next few years? Definitely!

Sometimes that’s all it takes and, after seeing Gaby in action and hearing her story, we’re very glad we listened to the coach!

If you have what you think is a good story, send me the details and the appropriate contact info to: Brentt.Eads@LineDriveMedia.com

Now, our “I Committed” spotlight focuses on this talented junior not afraid to go coast-to-coast to compete at the next level…

*****

Player: Gabriela ‘Gaby’ McAnaw

Position(s): RHP/UT
High School (City/ST): Urbana (Ijamsville, Md.) High
Club Team: VA Glory National 18U – Willemssen
Grad Year: 2028
Committed To: The University of Washington
Date Committed: September 5, 2026

Top Accomplishments:

• Frederick County Maryland Player of the Year – 2026 (ERA: 0.82, 214 K’s, 5 home runs)
• Two perfect games pitched in 2026 high school season
• Alliance National Champion 2026 (Tier 2 18U)
• National Team 18U strikeouts leaderboard (2025 Summer)
• Ranked Top 10 performer Fall 2024 ACFL (18U)
• Fall Championship & Showcase All-Tournament Team Pitcher of the Tournament (Fall 2025)
• Super Cup Royalty: Super Cup Stage 1 All-Tournament Team, Pitcher of the Tournament (18U)

Do you play other sports?

I played one season of volleyball for my high school.

What’s been a top softball experience or two in your career?

Playing the best athletes in 18U at the best tournaments when I was 14. Also, winning the Colorado Sparkler in 14U when I was 12.

How did the Univ. of Washington coaches first find you?

Coach Brad Kilpatrick (the UW pitching coach) saw me play against Lady Dukes Lamar while watching one of their 2027 commits at the Top Gun Invitational in Kansas City over the summer.

He followed me on X and then watched me play at tournaments in Colorado and Indiana over the rest of the summer.

When did they offer you a scholarship? 

When I took my official campus visit the first weekend of September (5-6).

When and how did you commit?

We were in the lobby of the hotel on Saturday evening before dinner, talking with all the coaches.

(Head) Coach (Heather) Tarr asked me: “What it would take to make you a Husky?”

After discussing the specifics, she told me what she expected from me and I agreed to them. After a long pause I said “Yes” and Coach Brad told me to bark!

I did and immediately after that he said I was a “DAWG!”

What was it about Washington that led you to feel it’s the place for you? Did you have an “a ha” moment where it suddenly was obviously the right place for you?

I had been to a camp before—I’ve been to Seattle many times because I have family there—but when I came for the camp in August, we went around the campus more.

I looked into their Business Entrepreneurship program, and I knew then that this is the place I belong.

What did the Huskies say they liked about your game enough to offer you?

They loved my presence in the circle, my speed and as they call it “my power riseball,” but also that their 2027 committed pitchers and I will go together nicely.

Do you know yet what you will study in college? What you’d like to do for a career after school/softball is over?

I would like to study Business Entrepreneurship with my end goal of owning a dermatology practice with my sister and someday converting it into a MedSpa.

Are you related to or know anyone famous?

The Rock, on my mom’s side. Her aunt is married into the family and is a first cousin with The Rock.

What top tournaments/events will you and your team be playing in next year (2027)?

Top Gun Invitational, Strikeout Cancer (Glory tournament), the P5 Patriot Games, Alliance Super Cup Finals, TCF Sparkler National Power Pool and Alliance Nationals.

What do you love most about softball?

I love to strike people out!

In one word, describe yourself:

On the field: Competitive.
Off the field: Hilarious!