Chelsea Bisi was hoping for an encore at Penn State, a follow-up to a breakthrough softball season that saw her clear the fences with an effortless swing as she produced offense just about every game.
Bisi hit 13 home runs and earned a spot on the All-Big Ten Conference Freshman Team.
But the former Derry standout will have to wait to recapture her offensive drive. She is expected to miss the rest of the season after surgery Tuesday on her right knee.
A nagging injury that affects her knee cap will finally get the repair it needs to allow Bisi to play the game she loves at full speed.
“This has definitely been a tough situation, but I’ve been dealing with this injury for two years, so while I’m disappointed to miss this season, I’m relieved to be getting it fixed,” said Bisi, who re-injured the knee during a preseason practice.
She played in 10 games for the Nittany Lions but was 5 for 28 as she tried to play through the ailment. Finally, she had enough.
She will have a reconstructed medial patellofemoral ligament.
“Basically, my knee cap doesn’t have a place to sit, so it keeps moving out of place,” Bisi said. “So the surgery will make a groove for my knee cap and will also repair damage because I’ve injured my knee about eight times now.”
Bisi’s home run total last season was tied for the team lead and tied her for the third-most homers in a season at Penn State.
A versatile talent, Bisi played four positions last season, including outfield and third base, as she started 50 games. She led the Nittany Lions with 37 RBIs and had a dozen multi-hit games and led the team with a .660 slugging percentage.
The troubled knee has a history: it cost her most of her senior season at Derry after Bisi batted .706 as a junior.
Bisi feels the surgery will allow her to play without worry or tentativeness.
“It’s definitely going to be a long road to playing again but I know that I need to stay positive.” she said. “I am thankful that I have so much support from my family and friends.”
