WAREHAM, Mass. — After two seasons with the Florida State Seminoles, Hudson Rowan is ready to begin a new chapter with the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs.

“The interest they expressed — it made me feel like family,” Rowan said. “They flew up here to see me, and they flew back the next morning.”

Rowan was seeking an opportunity to pitch more frequently, and Louisiana Tech offered him that — and more.

“We talked about family, faith and baseball, but faith kind of carried the conversation,” he said.

His final choices came down to Miami, Georgia Tech, UCF and Jacksonville State. Ultimately, Rowan chose Louisiana Tech. He said the team blessed the food before they ate, which resonated with him as a man of faith.

"I've grown up in a household where we're Christians and we always believe in God. But I'd say when I was about 12 or 13, it kind of took off a little bit."

Around that same time, Rowan’s life took a turn.

“During my sixth grade year, my father got indicted by the government. And then Hurricane Michael hit about a year later, so everything got delayed.”

Rowan explained that he, his brother and sister continued going back and forth between their family’s house in Florida and the apartment where their father was staying in Boston.

“We would go see Dad here and there — once a week or every other week. It just kind of depended on the day. Then, in 2021, he went in and that’s when it all started. He was there from April 6 until Feb. 23, if I remember correctly.”

Rowan had to take on the role of man of the house at a young age after his father’s indictment and his brother left for college.

"Whatever needs to get done, you get it done, and you put your feelings to the side. Yes, your feelings are still there, but there’s more than just you to take care of."

There was a hopeful turn in Rowan’s story.

“My dad got released early — he wasn’t supposed to get out that soon. Going back to the Lord, my dad really made a difference while he was there. The chapel had been a place where drugs and contraband were dealt with, but he helped turn it around and clean it up. He even preached a Sunday sermon inside the prison, which was pretty cool. Then he got out, and it was back to normal life.”

Rowan says his relationship with his father today is strong.

“Dad and I are great. Everything’s good with both Mom and Dad.”

Rowan said his faith truly began to grow stronger around age 18.

"When I turned 18, that was kind of the transition period. I went to college and really started diving into the Word every day. Once I did that, the Lord started opening a lot of doors for me — doors I didn’t even know I wanted, or thought I’d ever have."

At Florida State, Rowan became the leader of the school’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter.

“I got the opportunity to pray over people just randomly, but the Lord just really blessed me and fulfilled me in a way I've never felt before.”

It hasn’t always been easy for Rowan. He’s faced spiritual and physical challenges throughout his career — and now says those battles only made his faith stronger.

“I blew out my knee in senior year of high school. I was focused on the Draft, and everything was starting to take off. I’ve always struggled a bit with throwing strikes, but right when things were really blowing up, I was actually the furthest away I’ve ever been from God. I kind of drifted away for a few months. Then, just as everything was starting to happen, I blew out my knee. That was it — done.”

Rowan began to question his faith. That changed once he got to Florida State.

“I had a pretty good freshman year. I struggled with walks a bit, but heading into my sophomore year, I was in the mix for the midweek starter role.”

Then, Rowan tore his oblique.

“I remember thinking, ‘Lord, I’m doing so well. I’m so in touch with You, so connected. And then — boom — done. Why? What’s the reason behind that?’”

Rowan could have drifted from his faith again, but chose to deepen it instead.

“That really deepened my connection — if this higher power is humbling me, I want to get to know Him on a deeper level. It had a big impact on my baseball life.”

Rowan is returning for his second season with the Wareham Gatemen, and although he only spent a few weeks with the team last summer, it’s an experience he’ll always cherish.

“The friendships I made here really stuck with me. I still text guys who were on the team last year. That says a lot about the team and the chemistry we had — it’s been a year, and we’re still keeping in touch.”

This season, Rowan hopes to grow and develop, with aspirations of being drafted next year. He also values the relationships he’s continuing to build along the way.

“I hope it brings me an opportunity to get drafted. I think that’s why we’re all here. We’re here to do that, and we’re here to win. But the relationships I’m creating here, I want to create at Louisiana Tech as well.”

Rowan has returned to his host mom from last summer, Laura Lowe, who he considers a second mother.

“Laura does the food for all of the players. Ever since I got here — with three weeks left in the season last year — she’s made it feel like home. Whatever I need, whenever I need it, she’s there. And really, whatever I need, she already has it ready for me — even when I don’t know I need it. She has all the recovery tools, everything I could possibly want to become a better version of myself. She always makes sure I get everything in that I’m supposed to. She just really makes me feel at home.”

Since returning to Wareham, Rowan has picked up where he left off. Through two games and five innings of work, he’s posted a 0.00 ERA and struck out six batters.

“You want to create brothers here on Cape Cod, and you’re going to do that in just two months. But that’s something I’m really looking forward to at Louisiana Tech, too — making brothers and lifelong friends.”

Rowan has worked hard to get where he is today, and despite the curveballs life has thrown at him, he has managed to remain positive and strong in his faith.

“Don’t ever change for someone else, and always be a hard worker. I was always the smallest kid growing up, and I’m still kind of developing into a ‘normal dude’ now. I think I’m very athletic and all that, but the key is just to work hard, get up, go to the cross, and be yourself. Be authentic. Everyone will appreciate the best, most authentic version of you. And if they don’t like you, then you’re probably around the wrong crowd.”