Leah Figueroa’s Future Plans Now Include New York

Leah Figueroa thought she wanted to play college softball in the South. Her plans changed, however, once she saw a college coach standing near a field watching her play this summer.

New St. Bonaventure University head coach Camden Decker spotted Figueroa while she was playing with Lady Dukes Ghent/Blackmon 16U in a tournament in Atlanta, Georgia. He followed the 2026 recruit from Canfield, Ohio, on social media.

“We scheduled a phone call and I had the chance to talk to him and I really liked him,” said Figueroa, who has committed to the Division I program in New York. “Then, I went to a camp and basically loved everything about St. Bonaventure. He's going to start something great and I want to help him make that change.”

Figueroa started playing softball at age 5, trading in her tap dancing shoes for cleats. She never planned to be a catcher, but volunteered for the job when a coach needed an extra catcher during tryouts.

“I was like, I guess I'll set up the plate,” she said. “I just kept working at it and becoming better as the years went on and everything. I really started to love it. I am a utility, but catcher is my primary position. I feel like you get a look at the whole field from that position and it gives you a big idea of the game.”

Entering her freshman year at Canfield High, Figueroa broke her leg sliding into home plate during a scrimmage.

“It was one of the most devastating things that has ever happened to me because all I ever knew was playing sports,” Figueroa said. “Not knowing if I'd be able to play my freshman year, especially wanting to start on varsity, was really hard for me.” 

Figueroa had eight screws put into her leg during surgery. She cycled through casts and boots while doing physical therapy, but ended up back on the field and starting as a freshman. In 2024, she helped Canfield win the Division 2 state championship.

Figueroa's injury was put into perspective last year when one of her close friends and former teammates, Emma Bogacki, died in a car accident alongside her father and younger brother. 

“She was one of the sweetest, vibrant, positive people I've ever known,” Figueroa said. “What I love about softball the most is it pushes you to overcome the toughest obstacles life can throw at you and to make the best friendships that God gives you and to never take it for granted.” 

Figueroa's dad is Puerto Rican and his side of the family loves hosting parties. Figueroa enjoys dancing at the gatherings and even showing off her singing skills.

“I was always the loud mouth of the house and would sing all the time,” Figueroa said. “Then, in seventh and eighth grade, I was in the advanced choir at my school. I was going to keep going in high school, but I decided to stick to softball because some of the choir practices interfered with my travel ball.”

Although she never envisioned going to college in New York, Figueroa is excited about the opportunity to play for the Bonnies. She's considering majoring in communications to pursue a possible career in sports broadcasting.

“I'm a very athletic girl. I love sports. I grew up with it,” she said. “It's something I still want to be a part of my life as I get older.”