Heather Bowen’s journey to college softball started at a young age when her and her family lived in the baseball-heavy city of Chicago.
“My aunt lived right by a baseball field, and I remember watching boys play baseball there,” Bowen said.
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Little did she realize at the time that she would soon find herself actually on the field playing baseball with the boys.
Her family moved to Las Vegas when she was eight years old, and there she started to develop her baseball and softball skills. Bowen played for a recreational baseball team, which was filled primarily with boys.
Bowen did more than just hold her own. As a pitcher she left many boys with memories of striking out again and again.
“They still talk and joke with me about those moments, even though I don’t remember them exactly,” Bowen said.
After playing baseball for a couple of years, one of her friends told her to come try out for their softball team. Realizing there could be a better future for her in softball, she made the switch and hasn’t looked back since.
Bowen played shortstop growing up and her high school years were filled with many accolades and accomplishments. She started all four years at Centennial High School and was the Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Nevada in her sophomore and senior seasons.
During her sophomore campaign Bowen said she recorded a home run in each of her first 14 games or so. Eventually teams picked up on this trend, and a year later Bowen didn’t get much of a chance to show off her batting skills.
“Everyone walked me in my junior year,” Bowen said. “It was frustrating not to get a chance to hit, and it kind of sucked.”
Though Bowen realized she was still a valuable asset to the team because she got on base so much, it wasn’t the most exciting season of her career.
Ultimately, whether opposing teams pitched to her or around her, it didn’t stop her team’s success, as they claimed the Nevada state championship in her sophomore and junior years.
For someone who has had so much success, her on-field performance early this season hasn’t been exactly what the freshman was hoping for. Bowen has only gone 8-of-42 so far this season, playing mainly as a DP, which means she hits but doesn’t field.
“It was tough to adjust and get into the swing of things,” Bowen said.
The hitting coach for Utah, Maggie Livreri, has been impressed with the freshman’s ability to stick through some early season struggles.
“It hasn’t been because of lack of effort,” Livreri said. “Heather is a really hard worker and is dedicated to getting better all the time.”
That work finally paid off last weekend at the Hawaii Spring Fling tournament. She went 4-of-11 at the plate and recorded the first home run of her collegiate career.
“It was great to see her regain some of her confidence,” Livreri said.
Bowen will look to continue adjusting and improving her on-field performance as the team enters Pac-12 play this weekend against UCLA.
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