Meadow Uncapher is hitting the reset button again on her college softball career.
A rising junior out of Mt. Pleasant, Uncapher is leaving St. Francis (Pa.) to play at Alderson Broaddus (W.Va.).
The move will take her from a Division I to a Division II program, but she believes it will be beneficial.
“I decided to leave SFU to get a new start,” she said. “I felt like the last two years it wasn’t the best fit for myself, and that wasn’t fair for my teammates or my coaches. I needed the direction of my career to go a different way.”
Uncapher primarily pitched for the Red Flash but saw more time at first base this season, which was cut short after 23 games due to the coronavirus pandemic.
She only pitched 8⅔ innings over three games and did not record a decision. She batted three times in five games but did not have a hit.
A clean slate beckons, according to the versatile Uncapher, who has switched uniforms before.
A section, WPIAL and PIAA champion at Mt. Pleasant, she initially committed to Seton Hill out of high school but flipped to St. Francis when coach Jessica O’Donnell left Seton Hill to coach in Loretto.
This time, instead of going from Division II to I, she is reversing course. The grind of top-level softball played a part in her departure for another program. She wants to recapture a fresh perspective on the game.
“Division I is a lot of fun and rewarding, but it also becomes a job you have to maintain on a daily basis,” Uncapher said. “I wanted to play softball in college because I love the sport, not for the wins or the spotlight Division I gives you. I just wanted to feel the passion for the game again.”
Uncapher said coaches did not have a direct impact on her decision.
“The coaches have my full respect, but I think like any relationship, there are good fits and not,” she said. “I was just looking for a better fit.”
As a freshman, Uncapher went 6-6 with a 5.00 ERA, 47 walks and 23 strikeouts in 75⅔ innings.
She will get to play three years at Alderson Broaddus, where she will join a number of former local players including junior Maura Mallon from Penn-Trafford, junior Nina Maroney from Yough, and Norwin’s Megan Heltebran and Hailee Culbertson.
Alderson Broaddus plays in the Mountain East Conference and had a 4-6 mark before the NCAA canceled the 2020 season.
Excited to announce that I am now committed to Alderson Broaddus University for softball! Can’t wait for this new chapter and the next 3 years ?? pic.twitter.com/SQHIEO2Mfu
— Meadow Uncapher (@meadow_uncapher) July 3, 2020
Please welcome our newest addition to the Battler family, Meadow Uncapher, Pitcher/Power Hitter transfer from St. Francis University... #TakeTheMountain #ABSB #SameGoalNewConference @meadow_uncapher pic.twitter.com/ioxRY43h9E
— Alderson Broaddus University Softball (@ABUsoftball) July 7, 2020
