Grace Brown’s long-awaited return for Carmel softball couldn’t have been scripted much better.
Brown, a senior shortstop who sat out last season after suffering a torn ACL in fall 2023, picked up where she left off two years ago by smashing a home run in the Corsairs’ first game on March 18. She went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and four runs scored.
“I was so excited to play again for Carmel,” she said. “It’s been a long time. The injury makes you realize how much you love the sport and miss playing it. I was so grateful to play again.”
Carmel coach Nicole Parney was certainly happy to have the St. Joseph’s recruit playing again — and not only for her bat.
“It was awesome to see Grace Brown back in the lineup and in the field,” Parney said. “She makes plays normal kids don’t make. She has such great range up the middle and side to side, and she never lets a ball get past her. She’s stronger, faster and better, I think, than two years ago.”
Parney also welcomed back junior catcher Grace King, a Louisville recruit who missed last season with a knee injury too. Brown and King were a formidable duo in 2023, when the Corsairs went 23-6 overall and 7-3 in the East Suburban Catholic Conference.
Brown batted .440 with 44 hits, including eight home runs, and 52 RBIs and was named to the Class 3A all-state third team. King exploded onto the scene as a freshman, batting .480 with 49 hits, including 11 home runs, and 43 RBIs and was named to the all-state second team.
Carmel (14-17, 5-8) struggled to win games without Brown and King in the lineup last season. It wasn’t easy for them either.
“The ACL process is kind of brutal, just the pain and mental part of it,” Brown said. “I was always there for her if she needed to talk or if she had questions. Having both of us going through it, that made it easier for us. It’s a devastating injury.”
King, who suffered a torn ACL and meniscus in her right knee during a basketball game in late December 2023, agreed that Brown was instrumental during the recovery process.
“When I was first going through with accepting the fact that I was going to be injured for nine months, Grace helped me so much,” King said. “She was always there for me when I had questions. It was like she was a guide for me.
“She gave me hope because I was able to see that she got better and so would I. It was a lot of help also knowing that we both had the same goals and we needed to overcome the same obstacles.”
Like King, Brown made an immediate impact as a freshman, playing third base and catcher. During her even more impressive sophomore season, Brown emerged as one of the best players in the state. Then she got hurt.
“When the injury first happened, I was really bummed out that I would miss my whole junior season,” she said.
Brown was cleared to hit late last spring but wasn’t able to play in the field until the summer.
“I came back 100% a better player from the injury,” she said. “I’m a way stronger hitter and fielder, and my mental game is stronger. I worked on pitch select a lot and have more agility and my range is better. I can see the game slowing down.”
Junior pitcher/infielder Kaitlyn Konen said Brown makes the Corsairs better too.
“Grace Brown’s work ethic, skill, knowledge of the game and ability to overcome adversity make her such a talented player,” Konen said. “She’s an outstanding leader that pushes everyone to reach their full potential.
“She is a key player offensively and defensively and will be a great asset to the team. Everyone on the team is so excited to have her back.”
Brown feels the same way.
“I’m excited to be back,” she said. “We have some really solid players this year and can make a deep run in the playoffs.”
Expect Brown to lead the way.
“She takes charge on the field,” Parney said.
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.
