Ashburn, Va. – Stone Bridge High School junior Maddy Carpe has made an early verbal commitment to continue her softball career at Boston College starting in the 2019-2020 school year.
“Excited is an understatement,” the 5-foot-4 Carpe said. “When I was a kid I dreamed of this moment and playing DI softball. I’ve put in a lot of hard work to get this far, but I know there’s even more hard work ahead of me to keep getting better.”
[adrotate banner=”9″]In order to succeed at the Division I level, elite high school athletes must rise to the level of other elite high school athletes around the country. For Carpe, she has friendly competition right in her backyard as Woodgrove High School senior Camryn Dolby has also committed to play at Boston College following her final season with the Wolverines.
In 2017, the Division I Eagles – led by head coach Ashley Obrest – finished 31-22 including a 14-9 mark in the Atlantic Coast Conference, before falling to Notre Dame in extra innings of an ACC tournament quarterfinal.
“As part of a team, I will have your back: on the field and off. You can trust me and rely on me to be there, build you up and support you,” said Carpe, who plans to catch at Boston College. “I’ll give my 100% and will do whatever it takes to help the team win.”
After transferring from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Carpe certainly gave her all in 2016 as she helped the Stone Bridge Lady Bulldogs to a VHSL 5A state playoff berth for the first time since 2013.
“Though it was my first year playing for the Stone Bridge team, I felt that I’ve known the team and the coaches for much longer. Everyone was very welcoming, especially Coach Rice,” said Carpe, who plays travel softball for the 18U Rhode Island Thunder Gold. “From the beginning of the school year he made sure I met many of the returning players. On the first day of tryouts, the returning players welcomed me and talked to me as if I was a returning player myself. I know I’ve made friendships that will last a lifetime.”
Those friendships would not have been possible for Carpe if it wasn’t for her dad teaching her softball at a young age.
“When I was little, sports had always fascinated me, but softball was the only sport I wanted to play beyond ‘just for fun,’” Carpe said. “My brother and I grew up with my dad teaching us baseball and softball and always supporting us. The reason I’ve played softball for this long is because I want to get better every single day.”
Carpe is grateful for the opportunity to get to improve and play the game she loves at the next level, while attending college in a location she loves.
“The moment I stepped onto the campus I fell in love. The location of the campus was perfect for what I wanted, and I know that the school can give me a great education,” Carpe said. “Coach Obrest showed me what it would be like attending the school through her eyes as a player. I couldn’t have asked for anything better! She gave me insight into her program and playing in the ACC, her coaching style and the spirit and work ethic she and her coaches expect from the team. After seeing and hearing about all of that, and getting a taste of being at student-athlete at BC, I knew it was the place for me!”