Maddison Tabrett overcomes life-threatening throat injury to qualify for her third baseball World Cup

Star baseballer Maddison Tabrett has gone from the intensive care room to the Australian women’s World Cup team in the space of just two months

Glenwood baseball player Maddison Tabrett has recovered from a serious throat injury to make the Australian women's squad for the baseball World Cup. Pictures: Angelo Velardo

Two months ago, star baseballer Maddison Tabrett almost lost not only her sporting career, but her life.

The 21 year-old from Glenwood was pitching for NSW at the Australian women’s championships when she was struck in the throat by a ball hit back at her on the mound.

“My airway closed and I was unable to breathe for some time,” Tabrett said.

“I spent the night in the Intensive Care Unit in Geelong Hospital with fear of my airway collapsing.”

The 21 year-old side arm pitcher was struck in the throat by a ball while on the mound at the Australian women’s championships.

Tabrett is still recovering from the injury which temporarily paralysed her left vocal cord.

“My voice has only just come back within the last few weeks,” she said. “It’s not back fully and I can still only talk in one monotone.”

However she was so determined to be selected in the Australian side for this year’s World Cup that she continued to train in silence.

“I was unable to work out to the full intent of what I usually would because my airway couldn’t shut when I breathed which meant I couldn’t catch my breath,” she said.

But her strength and perseverance ultimately paid off.

Tabrett has spent the last two months training in silence while her damaged vocal cords continue to recover.

In August, Tabrett will be heading to Florida for what will be her third World Cup appearance.

“Being able to represent my country shortly after such an injury means the world to me,” she said.