Melanie Chen '26 Recruiting Profile

My name is Melanie Chen, and I am a Junior at St. John’s School in Houston, Texas. I am a varsity softball pitcher for my school and also part of the Hustle National U18 team. As a pitcher, I have developed a strong sense of mental toughness, a work ethic that drives me to push past my limits. Through my journey, I’ve learned that failure is not something to fear but a powerful opportunity to grow.  These qualities have defined my approach to softball, to academics and to my life.

When I first started, I struggled to keep up with my teammates, most of whom had years of experience. I didn’t make our local travel league team several times. But instead of letting failure define me, I saw it as a lesson. I realized that talent alone isn’t enough; true success comes from consistent effort. I made a commitment to practice every day—whether it was team practices, pitching lessons, or solo workouts in my backyard. Over time, this persistence paid off, and I began my journey as a softball player for my school and my travel team.

As a pitcher, I know the pressure I carry with every pitch. The mental toughness I’ve developed has been crucial in handling high-stress moments on and off the mound. Whether it’s a key strikeout in the final inning or recovering from a bad pitch, I’ve learned to stay focused and reset quickly. This ability to stay calm and perform under pressure is something I use in all areas of my life, whether in the classroom, in my other passion – in debate tournaments or in personal challenges.

I am committed to continuous improvement and always working to refine my pitching technique—whether that means increasing velocity, enhancing control, or adding new pitches to my repertoire. I’m also not afraid to embrace change. Two years ago, following the advice of a new pitching coach, I completely overhauled my mechanics to improve both consistency and power. The transition was challenging. Early on, I struggled to get the same results in games—there were more walks, and I was tempted to return to my old mechanics. But I knew the change was necessary to elevate my game. Through this process, I’ve learned that growth often comes through discomfort and persistence. While I’m beginning to see the benefits of this adjustment, I recognize that it’s not the end of the journey. Improvement is ongoing, and I approach it with the determination to keep evolving, understanding that success isn’t about perfection—it’s about making progress and

Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue my softball career at the collegiate level. I’m ready to bring my mental toughness, persistence, and leadership to your program and contribute to your team’s success.

Thank you for considering me as a recruit. I look forward to the opportunity to grow as both a player and a person.