Newsday Athlete of the Week is St. Anthony's Melissa Gordon

After tearing a ligament in her right foot, which required multiple surgeries, Melissa Gordon could've rolled over and given up on her dream entirely. However, her never-give-up attitude pushed her to get back on the field for St. Anthony's softball team.

"I just remember being on the ground and being in complete shock," Gordon said of the injury, which occurred during her freshman season and cost her entire sophomore season. "I didn't know if I would get back on the field again. I'm extremely proud of myself for getting back like that."

Doctors told Gordon that she may never play softball again. But after a discussion with her pitching coach, Shari Edwards, she knew she couldn't give up that easily.

"I felt like the whole world crashed down hearing that," Gordon said. "At that moment, I knew I had to start strengthening everything and focus to get back on the field whether I was in pain or not."

Now, Gordon is back on the field and is better than ever.

Last Sunday, on a rainy afternoon upstate in Binghamton, Gordon went 4-for-4 with two home runs and three RBIs against reigning state champion Deposit Hancock in a 10-5 victory. On Saturday, she struck out 11 in a one-hitter and went 1-for-3 in a 2-0 win over Miller Place. For her efforts, the senior is Newsday Athlete of the Week.

"It was so bad outside, it was like a monsoon," Gordon said. "I was extremely happy when I was hitting the ball well, and honestly, I stayed locked into the box, making sure I had a good chance of getting runners on and trying to help my team win."

She added: "It felt good when I hit that first home run. I was running the bases, and seeing my teammates jumping in the air was a good feeling."

As a pitcher, Gordon currently has an 0.72 ERA and 15 wins with 114 strikeouts for the season.

"She's very consistent," coach Michael Massa said about the pitcher who clocks in a 61-mph fastball. "She pounds the strike zone, and we have a very good defense. She doesn't give up a lot of hits or runs."

Massa continued to praise Gordon's resilience and determination to return to the field.

"She has been a revelation for us this year," Massa said. "She goes out there, and she's under control and calm, and every time I say 'how are you feeling,' she always responds, 'I'm good.' "

Starting to play ball with her older brothers, Sean and Danny, Melissa instantly fell in love with the game and continued striving to be the best.

She credits most of her success to her parents, Barbara and Thomas.

"My parents are my biggest motivation," Gordon said. "They pushed me since I was 6-years-old til now. They never let me stop playing and becoming the player I am, so I'm really playing for them."

In addition to her stellar performances on the field, Gordon maintains a 90 GPA.

"Melissa demonstrates an unwavering commitment to her studies," Massa said. "Her dedication in the classroom mirrors the tenacity she displays on the field."

Excited to start a new chapter in her life, Gordon has committed to Iona, achieving her dream of planning on college softball.

"They have an amazing campus and an amazing group of girls and teammates, Gordon said. "The coach stuck with me for the past two years and I'm extremely excited to play for the Gaels."

By Jonathan Ruban

jonathan.ruban@newsday.com

Jonathan Ruban covers high school sports for Newsday after graduating from St. John’s.