By Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

COAL GROVE — Coal Grove Lady Hornets senior softball pitcher Abbie Deeds has extended her playing career after signing a letter-of-intent Tuesday with the Shawnee State Bears.

Deeds plays basketball but softball runs through her blood and she has played the sport for 13 years.

“I’ve played some other positions. Actually, I’ve played everywhere, but pitching is my main position now,” Deeds said.

Deeds said her pitching development began in little league.

“When I was 12 really. That’s when I realized pitching was my thing,” said Deeds. “I started going to lessons then and it’s just been pitching ever since.”

When she is in a game, Deeds said she tries to stay focused on the moment.

“It’s taking it one pitch at a time and just finding my groove, too. And once things start going good on offense, my team just rolls from there,” said Deeds.

Besides pitching, Deeds is a solid hitter whom — as she said — can play about any position.

As a pitcher last season, Deeds was 16-5 as she worked 148 innings, struck out 245 batters — 8th best in Ohio — and issued just 45 walks. She gave up 68 runs of which 42 were earned as she posted a 1.99 earned run average. She allowed 93 hits.

At the plate, Deeds batted .346 with 15 runs batted in and a .469 on base percentage.

“It honestly depends on the day,” said Deeds with a chuckle about hitting. “I love hitting, but pitching has just been my favorite. I’d have to go pitching on that one.”

Before settling on Shawnee State, Deeds talked with Rio Grande, Tiffin and Alice Lloyd where her sister Katie played.

“Shawnee just stood out from the others because I’ve known coach (Kristen) Bradshaw for a while and played against her when she coached at Portsmouth. She’s a really great coach and that’s someone I would want to be coached by,” said Deeds.

“And she’s done some really great things in just one year, so imagine four more. And I play travel ball and I already know some girls there. Academically, it’s a good school for my major. It’s not too far but it’s close enough.”

Although Deeds is excited to continue her career, she has some goals she would like to accomplish not only in college but at Coal Grove.

“I’d love to come in there (at Shawnee) and just start pitching and playing and doing my best and helping them win conference titles and going far in the tournament,” said Deeds, who was first all-district and voted the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year.

“This year, we’re going for the state (tournament). I think we have a really good shot. We only lost one girl.”

Deeds said she takes five college classes and spends a lot of her free time studying but occasionally playing Fortnite and taking a nap or two.

“I keep busy,” said Deeds.

The working side of Deeds is one of the facets of her game that attracted Shawnee State head coach Kristen Bradshaw.

“I really like her work ethic. She can not only pitch but I saw her play some travel ball the last few years and she came to camp last year. She can really play any position and she’s willing to, which is our favorite thing about her,” said Bradshaw.

“We have three pitchers graduating this year, so when she gets to be a freshman we have three sophomore pitchers and three freshmen pitchers, so she’ll have an opportunity to make an impact right off the bat.”

Deeds plans to major in pre-med.