Injuries for any individual can be devastating, but an injury for an athlete can stop them from playing the game they love and completely change their life. However, for senior varsity baseball pitcher Tyler Maylath, he kept playing.

During his sophomore year, Maylath developed the one injury that no baseball player would ever want; the Tommy John injury. When Maylath found out the news, he thought his baseball career was over.

“I was freaked out, [and] I didn’t really know what to do. I thought about not getting the surgery and quitting baseball entirely. However, later on I got convinced to get the surgery because I’m young and can move on from it,” Maylath said.

Maylath had his surgery the summer after his sophomore year. With his only thought being able to play baseball again, Maylath got to work. He worked everyday to get better; nine months later he was able to step back on the mound.

During his junior season for DGS, his performance did not fail. He compiled over 20 innings of pitching for the Mustangs. When DGS played against cross-town rivals DGN, Maylath threw the first five innings of the game with two hits.

However things took a turn later into his come-back season; Maylath needed another surgery.

“I later found out before my junior year [travel ball] season that I needed another surgery, but I decided to play through it. Later that summer I had to get my nerve moved over, as well as a bunch of scar tissue and part of my bone drilled out of my right elbow,” Maylath said.

After that, he again thought he was done with baseball, but after some time he decided to give it one last try. It was his senior year, and he didn’t want to make the wrong decision.

“[With] it being my senior year, I just wanted to give it a shot and play with my friends. I didn’t want to quit on it and give up. It would be something I’d regret if I didn’t play,” Maylath said.

This season now, Maylath is ready to get back on the mound. DGS varsity head baseball coach Darren Orel watched Maylath’s recovery along the way and is excited to see what he can bring for the team this season.

“Tyler seems to be 100% healthy this season and ready to compete. As a senior his maturity and leadership are essential with a team that has a larger than normal amount of underclassmen. Tyler has varsity game experience that will assist him in providing this leadership role,” Orel said.

The leadership role Maylath has earned isn’t just because of his varsity experience; It’s from showing athletes that anything is possible even when it seems impossible.

“[You] always have to think of things on the positive side. When you’re going through rehab and physical therapy it may seem like you’re not getting anywhere but you gotta trust the process. It may not be something you understand at the time but day-by-day you have to work on getting better and you have to have the mindset that everything happens for a reason,” Maylath said.