Lovell's softball journey takes shape

Amid Troy softball’s hot start to its 2026 season, freshman pitcher Abby Lovell has shined from the circle. Her journey to Troy didn’t start with just a lifelong dream, it started with her big sister. 

“My sister actually began playing softball when she was younger because her friends were playing,” Lovell said. “I like to do everything that she did and I kind of just started playing softball and it kind of clicked. 

“I was about eight or nine, so it really just started and kept going from there.” 

What began as curiosity turned into a calling. Lovell played at Northside High School, where she holds the win and strikeout record, with over 600 in her time. The next big decision of her career was waiting, as college was just around the corner.  

“During my recruitment process, which was junior year of high school, I got some emails and texts from a bunch of different schools, but Troy really stook out to me,” Lovell said. “When I came on my visit, we came to a football game, we toured the campus and it just felt like home. 

“I committed around Thanksgiving of my junior year, and it’s been amazing since.” 

The moment she stepped on campus, Lovell says she found a sisterhood, a mentorship and support both on and off the field. With the addition of Elizabeth Hightower, a two-time Women’s College World Series participant, Lovell has been able to have a smoother transition to college softball.  

“The girls are awesome; I love them so much,” Lovell said. “We do everything we can together and spend so much time together.  

“Everyone is so pleasant and we click together so well. College is harder than anything I’ve ever experienced. Coach Hightower has really poured into me and just helped me have a good mindset going into things. Even when things are hard, she’s been there with me.” 

What started as something that “just clicked” became her passion, and with the support from her team and coaches, she’s just getting started.