Q&A With 2025 Standout Abby Hammond On Goals, College, More

Abby Hammond, a rising junior at Lexington Catholic High School in Lexington, Ky., was named the 2022 Gatorade Softball Player of the Year for the state of Kentucky and aspires to play Division I softball.

In her freshman season of high school last year, Hammond posted a 0.75 ERA in 233 innings of work for the Knights, striking out 333 batters and giving up only 25 earned runs. As a hitter, she led her team with a .514 batting average, 12 home runs and 41 RBIs.

Softball America spoke with Hammond about her softball journey thus far, goals for her two remaining high school softball seasons and future college dreams. Read the full interview below.

Softball America: What made you want to start playing softball?

Abby Hammond: When I was five or six years old, I was trying out different sports that my parents put me in, and I quickly realized that I was good at both basketball and softball, so those are the ones that I stuck with.

SA: How did it feel to earn Kentucky’s Gatorade Player of the Year honor last year?

AH: It was really exciting because I had worked really hard, but I was more focused on our state performance than the award. I learned I got the award on a Thursday and we were playing a state game that Friday, so I didn’t really focus on the award and just continued to prepare for our game. A big thank you to my coaches as well. Without them, I wouldn’t have gotten this award, and I am really appreciative of all the hard work they put in to help me get here.

SA: What has been your proudest accomplishment as a softball player to date?

AH: (Being a) state runner up, 100 percent. Even though we didn’t win, it was really rewarding to know that our hard work all season had paid off, and being able to go that far and spend that much time with the team was really amazing as well.

SA: How do you manage the pressures of social media as a high-level athlete?

AH: I don’t let social media affect me that much. I try to block out other people, parents and teams, and focus on the next game. I just focus on never getting too high, never getting too low, never being too confident and never being too down on myself. I always stay level-headed to be the best that I can be.

SA: Why do you play travel ball for Southern Force?

AH: I play for Southern Force because everyone in the organization is in it for you to become a better softball player. The coaches are all trying to make you a better athlete, no matter which team or age group they coach, and it feels like family because they’re motivating you to improve as an athlete, all while giving you lots of support.

SA: How has your travel-ball experience been so far?

AH: My travel-ball experience has been great so far. I really love the people on my team and we really encourage each other to be the best we can be. The tournaments we play in have really good competition, and playing against all kinds of players—such as slappers and power hitters—has really helped me to improve my game.

SA: What do you hope to accomplish in the remaining two years of your high school career?

AH: I want to win a state championship. That’s the main thing. That’s what I work toward every single day of training. Winning a state championship is the main goal.

SA: What are your goals for your collegiate softball career?

AH: In college, I just want to contribute in any way I can, whether it be hitting, fielding, pitching or even (offering) support on the bench. I just want to contribute on the highest-level team possible.

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