Ethan Pasco is a study in perseverance and patience.

The 23-year-old outfielder for the Welland Jackfish is finally back on the field this season after missing all of last year following a horrific leg injury he incurred in August of 2021.

Pasco was running the bases when he popped a hamstring and then landed awkwardly, fracturing his ankle which required surgery in May of 2022.

“I’ve never broken a bone in my life but after going through that I knew immediately that something was wrong right away,” the Niagara Falls native said. “It was 100 per cent a freak accident. The doctor said usually you only get those type of fractures in car accidents so it was kind of an anomaly.”

Pasco was determined to return to play, but doctors told him the recovery would not be easy.

“The doctor was pretty straightforward with me and told me I was going to have to do a lot of work to get it back but I knew with my work ethic, I was pretty determined to come back,” Pasco said. “I still have a lot of juice left in me. I didn’t really let the negatives get me down. I tried to stay as optimistic as I could through the journey.

“It’s been about a two-year recovery period but now I’m back and couldn’t be happier.”

Part of the convalescence was relearning how to manipulate his injured foot.

“It was terrible. I had nerve damage in my foot so I had to learn how to use my toes and ankle and foot again. Plus there was structure joint mobilization and muscles. It was a long and terrible process and I’m glad I’m on the back end of it.”

Click here to read the full article on BP Sports Niagara.