By: Colton Etter
KENNESAW, Ga. – Time away from your favorite sport gives you a different perspective on the game, and for
Danielle Bailey, it was photography that captured her love for softball. Through a season-ending shoulder injury last year, she found a love for the art of photography, took a deep step into her faith, and eventually returned to the diamond in 2026.
Bailey was born in Corvallis, Oregon but moved to Georgia at a young age due to her dad's job. She played high school ball right down the road at Etowah High School in Woodstock, where she racked up the accolades and was the only Etowah Eagle to ever play at Truist Park as part of the 2024 All-State Game. She committed to Kennesaw State during her senior year and was excited to dawn the Black and Gold.
Before her freshman season, she grew insurmountably in her faith off the field and was even baptized at Bailey Park on October 28, 2024. Bailey said it was "the best decision I could have ever made."
Unfortunately, it was a week later when she hurt her shoulder during practice. She got it checked out and found out that she tore her labrum and rotator cuff. An injury of that magnitude is tough on any player, let alone a freshman poised for a promising college career.
Having just been baptized, she wrote on her personal Instagram, "I asked many questions to God like: Why did this happen? I don't understand the reasoning. What do I do next? I didn't get over it. I was confused. But I never blamed God for this." However, it wasn't all bad news for her. She claimed that it helped her grow mentally and allowed herself to open new doors off the field.
Bailey has always had a love for photography, but it was that injury that really gave her a chance to take that leap towards the Owl Network here at Kennesaw State. She met Dave Williamson, the Team Photographer at Kennesaw State, and told him that she wanted to do photography at the Division I level. She has taken the opportunity in stride, shooting pictures at football games and other KSU events during the fall semester. She's appreciated the "fun" in photography as she lives out her dream.
Bailey has been a key contributor for the Owls, doing anything head coach
Selena Collins-Patterson asks of her. Bailey has spent time all around the infield and has flashed with the bat as well. Against Miami (Ohio), she went 2-3 with two extra-base hits and an RBI, boosting the Owls to a 4-3 win.
As she continues playing softball at Kennesaw State, she wants to keep her priorities in line. "I was always go-go-go in softball and forgot the whole reason why I was even playing, or what my life looked outside of softball," Bailey said. She recently got a couple tattoos, most notably one on that same shoulder she injured, reading "Saved by Grace." It serves as a reminder that even though the injury was painful, it truly changed her life for the better.
Bailey is constantly smiling on and off the diamond, not just because of who is around her, but because she decided to run through adversity. The Owls are looking to finish their season strong as they continue to show what playing with the Kennesaw State logo on your chest is really all about.
