Springfield News-Sun: Ledford Has Big Season
5/24/2011 12:00:00 AM | Softball
By Michael Cooper, Springfield News-Sun
KENT — The first time West Liberty-Salem High School graduate Abbey Ledford stepped on the field for Kent State University this spring, she was taken aback.
She had dreamed about playing Division I softball since she was 10 years old.
"It was surreal," Ledford said. "It was so cool."
Ledford, a freshman second baseman, hit .364 with six home runs and 25 RBIs for the Golden Flashes (20-31) this season.
"It was a lot different than high school for sure," Ledford said. "I had to make some adjustments being away from school and getting homework done on the road."
Ledford was named to the MAC All-Tournament team on May 15 after hitting .500 in three games.
Ledford hit .500 in three tourney games and helped the the Golden Flashes earn a 5-2 comeback victory over Eastern Michigan. She went 4-for-4 against Eastern Michigan, including a seventh-inning single that brought home the go-ahead run.
"We did well," Ledford said of her squad. "We're a young team. We've got a lot of starters coming back next year. I think next season will be an even better year. I think we'll go farther in the MAC tournament."
Ledford played shortstop for four years at West Liberty-Salem, but moved to second base this spring. She was one of the Flashes' top defensive players.
"I knew second was open, and that it couldn't be too much different," Ledford said. "Covering first base is probably the most different thing compared to shortstop, but the angles and things are the same."
She said she was shocked playing against major college teams she grew up watching on television, like Virginia, but said it wasn't a big deal once she took the field.
"It was a 'Whoa' kind of moment," Ledford said. "Once you're on the field with them they're the same as you, so you can't treat them any differently."
