Mosley alum, Rowan reflects on recovery journey during freshman year at FSU

PANAMA CITY, Fla. ( WMBB ) — Mosley alum and Florida State pitcher, Hudson Rowan is coming off his freshman season with FSU Baseball.

Towards the end of his senior year with the Mosley baseball team, Rowan was second in Class 6A for strikeouts. In one of the late-season games, he was rounding second base when his knee popped. Rowan tore his ACL and his senior season was over.

“It was more taxing mental than physical,” Rowan said. “There’s a lot of atrophy in my leg, but nothing was too bad. But just really the mental side, you got to stay strong.”

Rowan started his freshman year at Florida State on crutches and wasn’t able to participate in fall ball.

He spent hours daily in physical therapy working to get back on the field.

“The trainers probably got a little mad at me there,” Rowan said. “I was asking every day to go more. Just itching to get back out there.”

By the spring, he was cleared to play but still had to ease into it.

“I didn’t like the fact that I couldn’t wear that jersey across my body,” Rowan said. “It wasn’t fun, but just knowing what was on the other side. Getting to play in front of 6500 fans and then eventually getting the opportunity to go to Omaha and pitching against Florida.”

The left-handed pitcher made his first mound visit in the season opener against Bulter. He pitched one inning and recorded two strikeouts.

“You’ve prepared for the past eight months since you’ve been hurt to come here and do this,” Rowan said. They put you out there for a reason. Do you and don’t be afraid to fail.”

Rowan pitched 14.2 innings and had 28 strikeouts his freshman season. He made his final appearance in the ACC Championship game and was along for the ride from regionals and Omaha.

In the years to come, he wants to make sure he contributes to getting his team back to the postseason.

“Whatever role I can do to help the team win,” Rowan said. “Whatever the coaches ask me to do. I’m going to do it to the best of my ability and try and get the guys back to where we want to be.”

No one wants to suffer any injury, especially Rowan before his collegiate journey started. Now that he’s on the other side of it, he’s thankful for what the injury has taught him.

“I wouldn’t change for anything,” Rowan said. “Sometimes I think, man, I could be here, I could be there. I’m just blessed to be in the position where I am today. And I feel like ever since the injury, I’ve learned that if I can give it my all then the Lord will give me his all.”

Shortly after he returned home from Omaha, Rowan spent a month pitching in Virginia. After that, he went further north to pitch in the Cape Cod League.

Rowan is headed back to Tallahassee and will start classes on Monday, August 26.

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