Emma Vargo won't allow dislocated shoulder to keep her from postseason. 'I love this team'

Indianapolis Star

27-05-2025

FISHERS — Emma Vargo was the last player to be introduced ahead of Zionsville's Class 4A Sectional 8 quarterfinal vs. Westfield. The senior patiently waited her turn, high-fiving and cheering on each of her teammates, before doing one last spin around and taking the field herself, sharing a laugh with teammates Leah Helton, Charli Westerfield and Hadley Bray as she passed through the pitching circle.
Vargo fielded a fly ball to center in the second and had a front-row seat as the Eagles staged a dramatic sixth-inning rally, tying the score at 1-1 with an RBI triple by Hadley Bray, then taking the lead on a Westerfield double a few pitches later.
Vargo nearly iced the victory with a diving catch in center in the seventh, but the ball dropped in ahead of her and the 2-1 win was instead completed with a groundout to second.
"It keeps the energy up (even having Vargo in the field)," Westerfield said. "We know we can always count on her out there."
Vargo was nearly denied these moments, at least in the capacity she experienced them Monday night.
The senior outfielder popped her left shoulder out, reaggravating a years-old shoulder injury, while punching through the eventual game-winning two-RBI single against West Lafayette Harrison at the end of April. Vargo was bent over in pain at first base, but after taking a moment to collect herself, she finished out the final three innings.
Vargo felt that same pain against Westfield eight days later.
Only this time it was worse. Much worse.
Her shoulder popped out "pretty good" while taking a swing against Shamrocks ace and longtime friend Chloe Tanner.
The pain was excruciating, Vargo said.
Garrett had seen it before and "could see something was wrong when she swung and missed."
"I tell kids, kiddingly, if they make contact, it won't hurt. But if they swing and miss, it hurts," he continued. "Everybody's happy if you hit the dang ball. You're happy because you're not hurting (as badly) and the team's happy because you put the ball in play. We try to keep things simple in Zionsville."
Shoulder pain is nothing new for Vargo. She first dislocated her shoulder as an 11-year old and has been living with the occasional "sharp pain" in the joint ever since. Surgery was an option, she said, but there were no guarantees it would work and "I had softball to play."
"So we put it in a sling and called it a day."
Vargo has effectively managed the pain the past few years, but it began to worsen this spring. Her shoulder was "mad," she said, flaring up when she swung the bat and deteriorating as the season progressed — a well-hidden subplot to what's been a tremendous senior campaign.
Vargo started the season 12-for-26 (.462) with 12 RBIs and six runs scored. She homered in the opener at Carmel and drove in the game-winning run vs. then-No. 1 Hamilton Southeastern in mid-April.
Vargo has constantly improved since joining varsity as a freshman, Garrett said, and her emergence in the seven-spot this season further balanced their power-packed lineup. "It's pretty hard to pitch (anyone), because we've had kids like Emma step in and just hit," he added.
But when Garrett saw Vargo's swing-and-miss vs. Westfield, he knew it was time to pull back, pinch-hitting during the at-bat with sophomore Kate Skura.
"I told Emma to just relax," he said. "We want her for every game, but these are regular-season games. We're zeroing in on the second season, the postseason. And I knew with Kate coming along … Emma could take some time off."
As Vargo gingerly retreated to the dugout, her mind immediately went to the darkest outcomes. This is it. Her senior year and softball career were both going to be cut short by injury. "I'm never going to get to play this amazing sport with my awesome teammates ever again."
Though understandable, that sort of negativity is uncommon of Vargo. She's been a voice of positivity in the room throughout her career; a player who's earned her teammates' respect and is not afraid to hold them accountable.
"She has a good nature about her and is a great influence on everyone," Garrett said.
"We hope she can carry these things to whatever career she goes into, (because) she's going to be in high-demand," he continued. "People want to be around people like Emma Vargo."
It took time for Vargo to fully regain her positive mentality — she was still a positive presence in the dugout, and credits her teammates and parents for helping her fully regain mental form — but the morning after the Westfield game she was already asking what she needed to do in order to return for sectionals.
Physical therapy, rest and determination.
There is a possibility the injury could get worse, Vargo said, but this is "the picture perfect situation." Her senior year with an incredibly close and talented team that's capable of winning a Class 4A state championship.
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With no plans to play in college, Vargo accepted the risk, working with her physical therapist, trainer, parents and coaches to return to the lineup in time for the thrice-delayed regular-season finale vs. Noblesville. There was uncertainty over what her role might look like — and how it may evolve if Zionsville advances in the tournament — but given the Eagles' outfield depth (Skura has been very good), they're able to adjust based on Vargo's availability (hitting only, fielding only, pinch-hitting, etc.).
Whatever she can do to help her team on the field, Vargo's ready to do it.
"At the end of the day, I love softball, I love this team and I'm willing to (risk further injury)," Vargo said. "I'm just sticking it out."