VIRGINIA BEACH, Va (WAVY) — Virginia Wesleyan softball is back in the big time, and the Marlins have been lights out during the 2025 season, going 36-3-1 on the year and breezing through virtually every stage of the calendar.

Now, the Division III College World Series kicks off Thursday against a familiar, regional foe in Randolph-Macon, and one of the biggest reasons for the Marlins’ success has been former conference pitcher of the year, junior Emma Adams, who had been stacking another pitcher-of-the-year type of season with a 1.11 ERA.

That was until March 29, when she broke her pitching arm while sliding into second base, legging out a double against Guilford.

“We thought everything was going well,” Adams said. “Just needed to be in a cast, but it didn’t heal right. So I had to have surgery. For a second I thought my season was over.”

It’s safe to assume that Adams season was over, but she was determined to get back.

In fact, 55 days after the break, she made her return to the mound in front of a packed home crowd — all with a chance to make the two-out save and punch Virginia Wesleyan’s ticket to the College World Series.

“I was nervous,” Adams said. … “The adrenaline was pumping.”

She. nailed. it.

Adams struck out two batters and made the save to clinch the Marlins’ spot in their second straight College World Series.

“Just to be back on the field, it’s awesome,” Adams said.

It was awesome for Virginia Wesleyan coach Brandon Elliott, also.

“We had some big tears this year,” Elliott said. “I hugged her neck when she came to the hotel and knew it was broken. To hug her neck when she came off that field in happy tears. Our joy is in their joy.”

Now, Adams is back and hopes to pitch when needed in the College World Series. The top-seeded Marlins open up World Series play at 11 a.m. Thursday against Randolph-Macon.