Potomac

Five hundred career strikeouts are just a number, but for Alyssa Blaney, it was her milestone accomplishment. "This has been a goal, my long-term goal since I started high school. I was like I want to hit 500," said Blaney. In the spring of her senior year, the utility player hit that goal. Blaney began playing t-ball at the age of five. Growing up, she always played with girls a year above her age, as she thought it would make her better. Her want to pitch was what made her fall in love with the sport. "Ever since I was little, I would watch, like, college softball and be like, I want to do that," stated Blaney. "So, I basically self-taught myself how to pitch." During her time playing recreational softball, she gained experience not only within the circle but also at other positions, such as third base and shortstop. Those skills and lessons carried over into high school, where she played almost every position; however, she faced some trials and tribulations across those four years. In her sophomore year, Blaney had five stress fractures in her foot, which caused a setback. "She played for a month on five fractures, thinking it was a bruised toe because that's what they kept telling her when she was going to get it checked," said her father, Billy Blaney. "It was a bruised toe, and then finally, they got an MRI." Alyssa ended up playing through this pain for another month, which taught her how to support and help her team from afar rather than on the field. However, another issue arose: North Point's softball coach had stepped down, leaving a vacant spot. Her dad, Billy Blaney, who has coached Alyssa since she was ten, stepped in to be the North Point softball head coach when she was a junior. He had been helping some of the girls train during the off-season, helping develop that trust. When that position became available, it was clear that the girls wanted him to coach. "I received a lot of support from the girls. A lot of the girls were going to Alyssa and asking if I would be interested in taking over and coaching the North Point program. So, I did take that over," he said. During his time as head coach, not only has he seen Alyssa thrive, but she has also accomplished many milestones, including her 500th career strikeout. "I knew where I was, I knew I needed one more strikeout, and it was the first inning, first batter," Blaney stated. Blaney ended her softball career not only with the 500 strikeout milestone but with a First Team All-SMAC award and the Charles County Player of the Year. After four stellar years at North Point, she will be taking her talents to Shepherd University in the fall to play softball.