Community graduate Abby Murrill didn’t start playing softball until she was in the seventh grade.
But even being a late-comer to the sport, she’s imprinted her style of play all over the Viqueen softball program, which included back-to-back trips to the Class 2A state tournament.
Prior to the start of her senior season, Murrill checked another box on her softball playing career and signed a letter of intent to continue playing in at the collegiate level at Cleveland State.
“It’s very exciting. I’m so excited to start this new chapter because I know where I’m going to college,” she said.
She had a few other schools in the mix during her recruitment period, but in the end, it was the coaching staff at Cleveland State that won her over.
“I definitely had other schools in the mix, but I really liked Cleveland because their coach was very involved in the transition to the college level,” she said.
Murrill didn’t take the route a lot of college-bound players take and only got her start in middle school.
But once she got her start, she made centerfield her natural position and became an absolute weapon on the base paths with her ability to not just get on base, but speed between the bags.
That two-pronged attack will have her in the mix to start right away at Cleveland State.
“I started in seventh grade. I only played travel ball for one year. I’m sure I’ll have to work into it. You have to earn your spot,” she said.
While she’s only been playing softball for a handful of years, smacking the game-winning RBI during her junior year to send Community to its first-ever Class 2A state tournament appearance was among her favorite memories playing.
“Definitely Bledsoe County because I hit the RBI and it was the best feeling in the world. We felt like we were down and were like, ‘Oh no, we’re not going to go make history for our school,’ and then that hit just felt amazing,” she said.
Murrill will head to Cleveland State in August and will join the Lady Coguars for preseason workouts and fall ball.
She plans to pursue a degree in early childhood development and hopes to be an elementary school teacher one day.
Cleveland State participates in the Tennessee Community College Athletic Association and posted a 32-18 overall record in 2023.