It’s rewarding when you read of any athlete who grows up a fan of a particular university and she gets to go there to play the sport she loves.

Especially, when home is just 10 minutes away!

That’s the story of today’s recruiting profile who is a tremendous pitcher headed to the SEC and getting to live a dream she’s always had…  becoming a Kentucky Wildcat!

Name: ABBY HAMMOND
Hometown/ST: Lexington, KY
Grad Year: 2025
Position(s): P
Club Team: Southern Force 18U National
High School (City/ST): Lexington Catholic (Lexington, KY)
GPA: 4.32
College (if applicable): University of Kentucky
Preferred College Major: Kinesiology

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ON THE FIELD:

When did it hit you that Kentucky was the place for you to attend college?
I realized UK was the place for me from a very young age. I grew up 10 minutes from UK’s campus and have been going to many Kentucky athletics events for as long as I can remember. Being a lifelong fan, the opportunity to take an official visit to Kentucky was a dream come true.

Although I didn’t think it was possible, my visit made me fall in love with the University of Kentucky even more. UK provides a great education while also being able to help me develop as a person and an athlete. The coaches and current players have always made UK feel like home, and I am so excited for the next four years fulfilling the dream I have had since I was a little girl.

How did you tell the coaches you were committing?
A few days after my visit, I had a meeting with the entire coaching staff and my family. As soon as they offered me, I committed on the spot. Committing to Kentucky was one of the easiest decisions I have ever made because it has been my dream for my entire life.

Going into your decision, were there things you and perhaps your family were looking for?
My family and I were looking for a place that would allow me to develop both academically and athletically, and where I could grow as a person. The University of Kentucky is the perfect fit for me, and my family and I are so excited for my future as a student-athlete there.

In your eyes, what are some of the top honors and accomplishments you’ve achieved individually and with your teams?
Individually, some of my top accomplishments are winning the Gatorade Kentucky Softball Player of the Year in both 2022 and 2024 and being named the 2A State Player of the Year and 1^st team All-State four years in a row.

At Lexington Catholic, we won the 2A State Championship in 2022 and 2023, played in the All Class State Championship game in 2022, and the state quarterfinals in 2024. My club team, Southern Force, has won championships at the Colorado Sparkler and Scenic City, finished top 8 at the IDT (Boulder) and finished tied for 9^th at the 2024 PGF Nationals.

What’s been your most memorable softball experience?
Playing in the state tournament, especially the state championship game was probably my most memorable experience. Getting to play at John Cropp Stadium (University of Kentucky’s field), was very cool in 2022 knowing it was always my dream to play there.

When I played there again last season, I was so excited because I got the opportunity to play at my future home with my high school team after I committed to UK. It is always a great environment and so much fun to play in the state tournament, especially because all the hard work has paid off.

What would you say are your strengths on the field? 
I would say my biggest strength is my composure while pitching and my ability to take a deep breath and focus on the next pitch. One of the most important factors in being successful as a pitcher is being able to calm yourself and look at the next play, instead of what happened in the past.

Have you set personal goals for yourself for this year?
My goal is to help my high school team go back to the state tournament, and to win as much as possible with Southern Force and compete for national championships.

Do you have any softball superstitions? 
I wouldn’t say I have any huge superstitions, but I do wear the same cross necklace during every game.

What would you say is your philosophy in life?
Life is a competition, you have to win.

If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would it be on-field? Off the field? 
On the field: Focused.
Off the field: Driven.

What’s been your favorite place you’ve placed softball? 
Colorado, because I love seeing the mountains in the background while playing!

What’s the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome in life?
I have been pretty fortunate in my life, but the few minor injuries that I have overcome were challenging. As someone who is always looking to improve my game, taking long periods of time away from the game is never easy.

What drives you to play the game of softball?
I truly love the game of softball and it gives me the opportunity to inspire the next generation of female athletes to pursue their dreams.

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OFF THE FIELD:

What’s your favorite softball item, like a preferred bat, glove, etc.?
My favorite softball item is my glove, which is a blue and white Wilson A2000.

Favorite item(s) in your closet:
Lululemon leggings .

Favorite school subject: 
Chemistry

Best way to unwind is…
Take a walk and listen to music.

If you have 30 minutes to shop and $100 to spend, where do you go?
Lululemon.

What’s playing in your headphones right now?
“Lies Lies Lies” by Morgan Wallen

Celebrity you’d like most to hang out with… 
Joe Burrow.

What’s been your favorite vacation or place you’ve visited? 
Belize.

If you were stranded on a desert island, what’s the one thing you’d want to have with you (sorry: can’t be a phone as they’re no cell towers nearby!)
My family!

If you could have dinner with anyone… living or dead… who would it be? 
Reed Sheppard (Houston Rockets shooting guard who attended the Univ. of Kentucky).

Favorite college uniform (and why): 
Kentucky softball’s blue uniform with white checkerboard socks and white belt.

What worries you most about what classmates your age are facing in the future?
The amount of pressure that is put on us and that we put on ourselves.

If you won a million dollars and had to spend it all in 24 hours, how would you spend it?
I would buy a new car, spend a week in Greece, go on a shopping spree in California, and donate some to the Catholic Action Center.

Calories aside, what food could you eat and never get sick of?
Chocolate chip cookies.

Best talent off the field?
Juggling.

What have you learned most about yourself over the last year or two?
I have learned to trust the process during practice because all the hard work will pay off even if results are gradual.

Who inspires you (athletically & non-athletically): 
Athletically: Montana Fouts.
Non-athletically: my parents.

When you leave the game of softball, how do you want to be remembered and what will you do when you’re finished playing to help grow the game?
I want to be remembered as someone who gave 100 percent effort every single time I stepped on the field, and as someone who always fought for her team in every way possible. When I’m finished playing softball, I hope to give pitching lessons and share my memories playing with others to inspire the next generation and continue growing the sport of softball.

— Brentt Eads/Line Drive Media