Previously, our Canadian correspondent Tyler Johnstone did a great article profiling one of Canada’s fastest rising young pitchers, Rachel Clegg from Langley, British Columbia, a Class of 2028 grad who has had great success already in her young career.

In Part 1 of our two-part series titled Rachel Clegg Emerging as One of Canada’s Top 2028 Arms we learned that the 15-year-old 5-foot-9 right-hander had a huge year both in Canada and internationally

Rachel was the Tournament MVP at the 2025 U15 Women’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championships and followed that up by pitching a no-hitter against Australia in the WBSC U-15 Women’s Softball World Cup.

In Part 2, Rachel talks about what she thinks about as she readies for the first pitch of the game, how she had a months-long struggle on the mound leading her to wondering if she should quit and, later, what ran through her mind as she stood out on the field representing Team Canada in international play in Mexico…

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Line Drive Media: When people watch you pitch for the first time, what do you hope they notice about you?
Rachel Clegg: I hope they notice how locked in and focused I am on every pitch and how confident I am out there in myself and the team behind me.

LDM: How would your teammates describe you in the dugout — and would you agree with them?
RC: I think they would say that I’m supportive, focused on the game, can have fun, and cheer loud too.

LDM: What’s something about you that has nothing to do with softball that people would be surprised to learn?
RC: I actually love to run. Not too exciting but still something I think most people don’t know about me. I had to give up competitive soccer a few years ago to focus on softball, but I still love to play and get to during our school season in the spring.

LDM: What goes through your mind right before you throw your first pitch of a big game?
RC: I try to tell myself that it is no different than any other game. I know the pressure I have but when I step into the circle I try to make it feel the same as always.

LDM: Tell me about a moment where things weren’t going your way — what did you learn from it?
RC: It wasn’t a specific moment, but a few years ago, every time, I got on the mound I was really struggling and couldn’t help my team. This was over a few months, and I had one game where I hit five batters and my coach had to pull me and we had to have a hard conversation about what to do after that.

I had to really decide and figure out if I wanted to keep pushing through. I did tell myself that I was committed and driven and I was good enough, that this was just a moment. In the end, I switched pitching coaches, too, and was able to gain the confidence back and become the pitcher I am today

LDM: Do you see yourself as more of a competitor, a perfectionist, or something else entirely?
RC: I would say I’m a competitor. I want to be the one that starts the big games and is counted on to go in and win innings for my team. I’m really driven to be best but also am realistic knowing that there are those better than me out there.

LDM: What did it mean to you to represent Canada at the U-15 World Cup — and when did that moment really hit you?
RC: It felt like bigger than softball to me and it felt like I was able to finally prove myself to everyone and felt good to make all the people that have helped me along the way proud of me and that it was worth all their effort.

It first hit me when we were in Mexico and I was in the starting line-up for the first time and my name got called to run onto the field and then I was out there during the national anthem.

LDM: What are the biggest differences you’ve noticed between playing for your Canadian team and your U.S. travel team?
RC: There actually isn’t as much of a difference as I thought there would be when I first played down in the US.

With my Canadian team, I have known them or played with most of them since I was like 10 so we have a special connection that extends outside of softball.

Plus, we all live really close to each other. Whereas my US team the relationships are all focused on playing softball. We still have fun together but just not as much history.

LDM: Do you approach the game differently depending on whether you’re competing in Canada or the U.S.?
RC: I approach the important tournaments in Canada the same as all the tournament/games in the U.S. with my US travel team. Every pitch counts as we are working towards a goal.

In Canada, for our league games (exhibition games) my main focus is getting reps in to improve so I am ready for the more important games/tourneys.

LDM: What’s a part of your game you’ve worked the hardest on that people might not notice right away?
RC: I have probably had to work the hardest on my mindset and being able to not show my frustration and move on to the next play/pitch instead of dwelling in the past.

LDM: What does a typical “grind day” look like for you when no one’s watching?
RC: It starts with school from 8:40 am until 3 pm. Then I would head to the gym with my personalized work-out, then home for food, then to our two-hour team practices, where we work on fielding and hitting (I also play out field and first base for my Canadian team), then an hour of pitching in the cage near our house with my sister catching for me. Then any homework I have to get done for the next day. 

LDM: What’s one thing you’ve learned from facing high-level hitters that’s changed how you pitch?
RC: High level hitters have more discipline, so you have to learn how to spin through the zone to miss barrels while still getting strikes. They definitely make you have to focus on accuracy.

LDM: When you think about playing NCAA softball, what excites you the most — and what motivates you to get there?
RC: The idea of playing at the highest level is exciting to me. I am looking forward to having teammates that are of the same mind-set as me; driven and want to be the best. And the school athletic team culture where you have a built-in community and family is really something I would love to experience.

LDM: How serious are your goals of playing NCAA Division I softball, and what are you doing right now to turn that into a real opportunity?
RC: I am very committed to my goal of NCAA Div 1. Every time I step on the field, that is what I am thinking about. That this opportunity might be my shot at being seen by the right coaches.

I am working hard at home and also trying to attend camps in the US and reaching out to schools as much as I can. It is challenging being from Canada as the opportunities are not quite as easy to come by to be seen and the cost of getting to some camps is a lot, but my family is trying their best to give me as many opportunities as they can so I can make my dream come true.

LDM: Do you have a dream school right now, or a program you’ve always imagined yourself playing for?
RC: I don’t but I have had the chance to go to a few schools for camps and tours, and they have so far all been amazing and I would be happy at any of them.

— Tyler Johnstone/Line Drive Correspondent