_edited.png)
The Challenge
From Setback to Strength
What should have been just another summer practice in July 2022 changed everything for Hartley. Sliding into 2nd base was something she had done countless times before. She felt a sharp pain and knew immediately something was wrong. The diagnosis: a broken leg that would require surgery and take her out of the game she loved for over a year.
Despite setbacks, she stayed disciplined and focused on recovery.
Photo taken from: TriCity News
“Recovering from that broken leg has been the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through. In the beginning it felt like the pain would never fade.”
The Comeback
First Game Back
After countless hours of physio, setbacks, and determination, Hartley finally stepped back onto the diamond for the first time in over a year. The stage couldn’t have been bigger where she competed in a tournament in Arizona against one of the top 10 teams in the United States.
In her very first at-bat back, Hartley connected. The ball sailed over the center field fence for a home run. As she rounded the bases, all the while still limping from the remnants of her injury. Her teammates and parents erupted. That swing wasn’t just a hit; it was proof of her resilience, grit, and refusal to let adversity define her.
"In my first at bat after recovering, I hit a homerun to center field. My team and parents were so happy because they knew what I had endured.”
Turning Adversity into Inspiration
Giving Back & Moving Forward
Hartley’s story didn’t just inspire her teammates; it also inspired her community. She became the first patient in the newly expanded trauma ward at Eagle Ridge Hospital, the same hospital her family was helping raise funds for at a local event (Ryan and Lucas Johansen Charity Golf Classic).
Weeks later, at another fundraiser (Night in Nashville), Hartley stood before a crowd of hundreds of donors, athletes, and community leaders to share her journey. Her message of resilience brought the room to its feet and helped highlight the importance of supporting local healthcare. Together, the two events raised more than $300,000 for Eagle Ridge Hospital.
Today, Hartley carries those lessons with her into every practice, every game, and every challenge she faces — on and off the field. What began as a devastating setback has become a powerful story of perseverance, gratitude, and strength.
There have been ups and downs, but I believe it’s made me better in so many ways. I am thankful for Eagle Ridge Hospital Foundation … your contributions truly make a difference."
