Knee injury no match for former Norwin softball standout’s grit, love of the game

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Saturday, June 7, 2025 | 11:01 AM


Hours after surgery to repair a torn medial patellafemoral ligament and meniscus in her knee May 20, Bailey Snowberger was dugout-side watching her high school alma mater play in the WPIAL softball semifinals.

The Maine freshman shortstop didn’t want to miss Norwin going against Seneca Valley in a rematch of last year’s championship game that she played in.

Still groggy from the anesthesia, she crutched her way from the car to the field at Fox Chapel and cheered on the Knights.

Days earlier, she shagged fly balls at practice and gave the team a pep talk. One of her messages: “Go out and play but don’t expect to be perfect.”

“My mom and dad said, ‘If you’re tired, we don’t have to go to the game,’” Snowberger said. “My mom (Norwin athletic trainer Angie Snowberger) thought I was insane. But I am a Norwin fan. A die-hard. I want nothing but to see the girls succeed. I wanted to be there.”

Snowberger didn’t want to miss her first season of college softball either, so she played through the pain, her knee often taped in place so she could hit and field. Two-hour tape sessions in the training room before games became commonplace — and worth it.

But with a shoulder shrug and a smile, she carried on. She took meloxicam to hold back the pain.

“Medicine helped through the pain,” she said. “I was on it, off it, then back on it. My mom’s biggest frustration with me was just rest. There were times (off medication) when I couldn’t walk up steps, I couldn’t walk five yards. But I wanted to play. The mental side is harder than the physical side.”

Snowberger met with her coach, Kimberly Stiles, and they discussed the situation.

Stiles previously coached at Holy Cross, where Snowberger committed before flipping to Maine to follow a coach with whom she formed a bond and trusted.

“Coach said she had my back if I wanted to try it,” Snowberger said. “She was willing to work with me if I needed rest here and there.

“I remember her telling us we needed to be all in. Well, I am all in.”

Snowberger tossed aside the risk like a used batting glove and negotiated an injury that could have shut down her debut season. Did it cut her playing time? No chance. She played in all 49 games and tied for the team lead in stolen bases with nine.

America East Conference coaches didn’t see her sweat. Snowberger was named to the conference all-rookie team.

Maine finished 12-37 but won an America East Tournament game. Snowberger went 4 for 4 with a home run and five RBIs in a game against Bryant.

“We’re rebuilding right now,” Snowberger said. “I am the only player coach knew coming in. We’re going to get better. I have offensive and defensive goals I want to meet.”

Watch highlights and Snowberger would not be the player you would circle with the bum knee. No, she is the high-energy infielder digging out grounders and working counts for singles.

She hit .263 with 35 hits, eight doubles, 23 runs, a home run and 18 RBIs for the Black Bears.

“The season is hard,” she said. “I thought if I make it through coach (Brian Brozeski’s) basketball season, I could do anything. But it’s tough. Hits in high school are not hits in college.”

Snowberger is known for her positive vibe and persistence. Things that break others down tend to build her up.

She broke her nose when she played point guard at Norwin and returned in the same game, switching from No. 3 to No. 45 because her original jersey was soaked in blood.

She helped lead the team to a WPIAL championship.

“My mom and dad always taught me it can always be worse,” Snowberger said. “God has me. My faith has grown a lot since I came to Maine. You have to keep positive and grow each other. Our freshman catcher Morgan Pool, we’re a dynamic duo, says God gives the toughest battles to the toughest soldiers.

“I am blessed with the amount of role models in my life.”

Angie Snowberger has seen all sorts of injuries and levels of pain tolerance. She walked the line between knowledgeable trainer and concerned mom with Bailey.

“She is such a positive person,” Angie Snowberger said. “Not that there aren’t struggles, but she seems to put those in perspective. Her faith is key to how she responds to life.”

Bailey Snowberger knew the pain all too well, having injured the same ligament twice during her high school career. Norwin fans will remember her wearing a brace on the field and basketball court.

But the meniscus was a surprise that came after further testing. Recovery time would have taken her into December, but she will add a month or so due to the meniscus.

“It’s going to make me a better Division I softball player,” Snowberger said. “At the end of the day I am blessed to be able to play the game at this level.”

Snowberger is well in touch with the mental side of sports. She wants to become a mental health psychologist – and a coach.

One of the things she tells others: “Play with your heart out.”

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

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