Fresno State Athletics
Outside the Circle
1/12/2001 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Jan. 10, 2001
FRESNO, Calif. - For some the transition from college to the real world may be a difficult process, but for former Fresno State softball pitching standout Maureen Brady, it felt as natural as toeing the rubber at Bulldog Diamond. Just as Brady took her place in the Fresno State softball record books, she continues to set new standards by passing along the tradition of high-quality pitching.
Garnering All-America honors. Brady was a two-time All-West and all-Western Athletic Conference selections and the 1994 Fresno State Female Athlete of the Year. Leading the nation in victories (36) while establishing a single-season school record in wins and appearances (52) in 1994, the right-hander still holds a top 10 spot in eight of the all-time career top 10 pitching leaders categories after her four-year career (1992-1995).
Not to mention, Brady led her team to two NCAA Regional appearances in both 1994 and 1995 and a NCAA Women's College World Series appearance in '95. In fact, Brady's performance in the first game of the WCWS versus UCLA has gone down in Fresno State history as one of the most exciting games at Fresno State.
The 1-0 win came in wake of a true display of pitching strategy. In the seventh inning, Brady found herself in a movie-ending scenario. A scene which pitchers challenge their very own make up and a chance in which batters dare to dream of. With one out, bases loaded and the No. 3-5 batters on the horizon, Brady had to protect a precious one-run lead. If Brady was to allow a hit, any hit, the inevitable would happen. The Bruins would score possibly more than one run to get the win should Brady not strike out the next two batters. Brady managed to put the first batter to rest, easily, for the second out. The No. 4 and 5 batters were not so easy to dismiss. Each batter was taken to a full count. The fate of the game was on Brady's shoulders. Her reputation as being cool-headed and strong-willed was put to the test with the final two Bruin batters. However, her disposition remained in tact as she pitched the very ball that sealed the win. She caught the final batter looking and sealed the win.
Brady notes this as her proudest moment as pitcher. But it wasn't her skill as a pitcher that she appreciated the most about playing at Fresno State, it was the lessons she learned about life and developing into the woman she is today.
She credits 16th-year Fresno State head softball coach Margie Wright for all that she has become. It was through her guidance that Brady knew how to be successful outside the pitching circle at Bulldog Diamond. She has taken her talents and decided to pass it along to up-and-coming athletes through her personal pitching business. She sets aside her evenings to teach both the art and fundamentals of pitching. All of Brady's clients are female individuals beginning at age seven and continuing through college-age. She privately coaches her athletes for up to one hour, seven days a week, between the hours of 3:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
She enjoys passing along knowledge but admits that coaching isn't as easy as being a player. "Being your own coach is a lot different than being a student-athlete at Fresno State" emphasizes Brady. "You're not just responsible for yourself but others. In college you represented your team, school and relied on the support of your teammates to be your cornerstone. Now, like college, people rely on your every effort and the very best you can give. I've learned a lot from it [my experience at Fresno State]. I've taken everything I can from my own personal development at Fresno State and have used that in my professional and personal life. You don't realize what you gain as a whole until you really listen, not just hearing, what your coach teaches you. I'm thankful for Coach Wright and the time she took to develop me as a whole individual "
