If there’s one feature series we wish we wouldn’t have to publish, it’s the one focusing on injury rehab…

If only athletes wouldn’t get injured, we wouldn’t have to chronicle this difficult part of the game, but, unfortunately, that’s never going to happen.

Still, a major positive is there are those who show by their example and perseverance that it’s possible to make it back better than ever.

Mia Galella is one such example.

A freshman on the Boston College Eagles softball team, the first baseman from Madison Township, Pa. had a highly successful prep and club career including being ranked in the Top 25 of the Line Drive HOT 100.

A frequent blogger for Line Drive, Mia has detailed her recovery from a torn UCLA on her throwing arm going back to 2024.

Here’s what she shared with us this week on the latest in her rehab…

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My Boston College team is on the road this weekend at South Carolina and the one thing that stinks is I can’t travel with them except for when we played at North Carolina and in the Virginia Tech Hokie Invitational.

I was able to travel with the team for the first time this season since it was our spring break. I valued every single second of it while being able to be in the dugout with my teammates and coaches and watch my team compete.

We lost to North Carolina back-to-back by one run in the last inning in both games. The third game we beat them 10-2. They were undefeated until that point and are a very good team.

The one thing that really stuck out to me is how resilient my team is, especially for being so young. 

My teammates have been so amazingly supportive to me. It was so hard staying back on campus while they were on the road… I’m not going to lie. 

I have looked at being unable to play this season as a “reset.” Taking this approach has allowed me to stay more focused on my workouts and rehab while putting extra time in running, lifting, and doing my PT keeps me accountable to myself. 

It will be three months post-op this March 30th. I continue to focus on the “now” and getting healthier each and every day. However, I am also looking forward to a full recovery next season and being back in the batter’s box!

Andrew, my trainer, has been phenomenal and he has been helping navigate my entire recovery process.

My grip strength is almost to where it was, my scalp and shoulder strength is returning at a faster rate than was anticipated and I am about to begin my throwing program that is customized by my surgeon, Dr. Christoper Ahmad (New York Yankees Team Surgeon). 

Also, I put extra time in on working my lower half explosive movements.

It was pretty cool to break the all-time Boston College Softball squat record as a freshman. Now I’ll be looking to break this record before next season when I’m at 100 percent health.

When my teammates and strength coach, Franco, went crazy when I racked the weight after that lift, it was the best feeling in the world especially knowing I could not contribute on the field for my team.

The time not being able to travel outside of the two weekends I was able to has also allowed me to focus on my academics even more.

I’m going to be honest: I was told from the very first day after my UCL surgery that adversity makes you stronger, but I didn’t believe it and I certainly didn’t believe it when I found out I’d be missing this freshman season, but it’s true.

I’m stronger now than ever before mentally.

It took time, lots of it but if you stay positive, focus on your recovery, support your teammates and stay the course, great things happen and knowing that I’m going to be healthier than ever before even makes me that much hungrier!

— Mia Galella/Line Drive Contributor

Boston College Softball Freshman

Instagram: @galellamia