Tennessee softball and Team USA legend Monica Abbott returned to Rocky Top this past weekend to celebrate her official retirement from the sport of softball. Abbott threw out the first pitch for the Tennessee-Vanderbilt baseball game on Friday night before throwing the first pitch for the Tennessee-Florida softball game on Monday night.
Both Tennessee teams won their game after Abbott’s first pitch across the weekend.
Abbott, a California native, was a softball player at Tennessee from 2004 to 2007. Over that span of time, Abbott helped put Tennessee on the map as a two-time NCAA record holder.
“When we first got [Monica] was 2004 when we hadn’t built much of a legacy yet,” Former Tennessee co-head coach Ralph Weekly said in a tribute video. “But one thing that came through loud and clear was she didn’t want to go to a school that was already established. She wanted to go to a school that was establishing.”
Abbott still leads all of collegiate softball in games (253), games started (206), innings (1,448), victories (189), strikeouts (2,440), and shutouts (112).
“Monica Abbott threw an astonishing 23 no-hitters and six perfect games during her Tennessee career and led the Lady Vols to three consecutive Women’s College World Series appearances (2005-07), with a runner-up finish in 2007,” Tennessee wrote about Abbott. “Abbott logged 10 wins in the circle in her three appearances at the Women’s College World Series. Through four stellar seasons at Tennessee, she posted an incredible 189-34 record, a 0.79 ERA, 112 shutouts, 2,440 strikeouts and 125 games with 10 or more strikeouts.”
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After more than 20 years with the sport, Abbott announced her official retirement this past February. The Tennessee legend finished her career as a two-time Olympic silver medalist, a three-time World Champion, a five-time National Pro Fastpitch champion, and a six-time Japan Softball League champion. Abbott was also named the Softball Collegiate Player of the Year in 2007 with Tennessee.
Here’s a look at some of the activity happening on Rocky Top with Monica Abbott in town this weekend.
Tennessee-Vanderbilt Baseball First Pitch
Tennessee-Florida Softball First Pitch
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— Tennessee Softball (@Vol_Softball) April 24, 2023
Tennessee Softball Tribute
