Softball

Right Where I'm Meant To Be

N Our Voice by Carlie Muhlbach

Right Where I'm Meant To BeGarrett Hawkins

I don’t remember a time when sports weren’t part of my life, but I do remember where softball began.

I was four or five, standing in a tee ball field because my dad was trying to find something for me to do. That small decision changed my life.

What started as a way to stay active slowly became the thing I couldn’t imagine living without.

As I got older, I tried other sports. I spent time in basketball and even track, throwing shot put and discus, but nothing stuck the way softball did.

There was a point early in high school when I could see a path forming. Playing in college felt possible, but only if I was willing to commit fully. So I did. I walked away from the other sports and gave everything I had to softball.

That commitment meant so much more than practices or games. It meant time, travel, and choices that shaped my entire life. My dad was at the center of all of it. He helped me find teams, drove me across the country, and made sure I had every opportunity to grow.

Looking back, that’s where my foundation was built. Not just in how I played, but in how much I was willing to give to something I loved.

The Sacrifices Behind the Dream

My dad’s belief in me showed up in ways that went far beyond the field. Some kids travel for softball, but we actually moved homes. Multiple times. Different towns, different schools, different routines.

Every move was about putting me in a better position to succeed.

At the time, it felt normal. Now, I understand what that actually meant. He adjusted his job, his schedule, and his entire life to support mine. He made sure I could practice more, compete at a higher level, and be seen by the right people.

That kind of support makes you want to work harder because you know you’re not the only one invested in the outcome.

When I joined my club team, Nebraska Gold, the tournaments were bigger, the competition was stronger, and college coaches were always watching. That was the moment I realized this was both something I loved doing and something I could build a future around.

From there, my mindset changed. Every practice mattered more. Every rep had purpose. I stopped thinking about softball as something I played and started treating it like something I was building my life around.

That meant long days, constant travel, and learning how to stay focused through all of it. It also meant trusting that all the sacrifices, especially the ones my dad made, were leading somewhere meaningful.

Starting Over and Growing Up

Transferring to Gretna was one of the biggest adjustments I had to make.

I had a new school, new teammates, and a new environment. Walking into that situation was intimidating because I didn’t know where I fit yet. It takes time to find your place when everything around you is unfamiliar.

What helped me settle in was focusing on being a good teammate first. I didn’t try to prove myself right away through stats or recognition. I focused on showing up for the people around me and putting them first.

That shift changed the way I played. When I stopped worrying about myself, the game felt more natural.

My teammates became my first friends there. Over time, everything else followed, but that initial connection made all the difference. Being part of a team gave me a sense of belonging, even when everything else felt uncertain.

That period also pushed me mentally.

I started to understand that success wasn’t just about physical ability. It was about how you think, how you respond, and how you handle pressure.

I grew more in that area than anywhere else. It prepared me for what was coming next, even if I didn’t fully realize it at the time.

Comfort From My People

One of the most meaningful parts of my journey has been sharing it with Alexis and Skarlett.

We went through high school together, were recruited around the same time, and ended up at Nebraska together. That doesn’t happen often, and I don’t take it for granted.

When I got to campus early for a redshirt season, I felt their absence right away. I knew they were coming, but there’s a difference between knowing and feeling.

Every day, I found myself thinking about how close we were to being back together. Once they arrived, everything felt more complete.

We live together, train together, study together, and compete together. That kind of consistency creates a level of trust that’s hard to explain. They help me stay grounded, especially during the stressful moments. We talk through everything, whether it’s about softball or life outside of it.

Having that support system has made the transition to college smoother. The pace is faster, the expectations are higher, and the margin for error is smaller.

Being able to lean on people who understand exactly what you’re going through makes a difference. It reminds you that you’re not navigating it alone.

Nebraska Softball Recruit-SB 4213Nebraska Softball Recruits Alexis Jensen Carlie Muhlbach Skarlett Jones Nebraska Softball

The Player and Person I Want to Be

College softball has challenged me in ways I didn’t experience before.

The game moves faster, the schedule is demanding, and there’s an expectation that you stay ready at all times. It’s not something you ease into. You have to adapt quickly or you fall behind.

For me, the biggest area of growth has been mental. I’ve had to learn how to handle failure in a way I never fully understood before. You’re not going to succeed every time, and accepting that has been one of the most important lessons. Once I embraced that, I started to grow in a different way.

My role on the team has taught me a lot as well. Whether I’m in the lineup or supporting in other ways, I’ve learned that every role matters. As my coach says, it's about being ready, not getting ready, and helping my teammates succeed.

Off the field, community service has also shaped my experience. Being part of the Tom Osborne Citizenship Team showed me the importance of giving back. Whether it’s reading to kids or helping in the community, they remind me that what we do goes beyond the game.

As I look ahead, I want to continue growing as a leader. That means putting others first, staying consistent, and doing whatever the team needs. I also think about the younger athletes watching. I want them to see that hard work can take you further than you might expect.

At the end of the day, everything comes back to the same idea: showing up every day with purpose, giving everything I have, and making the most of the opportunities I’ve been given.