Abby Pyburn had one hit in five at-bats over five games at DePauw in 2020.
Like other college athletes, the Antioch graduate missed most of her freshman season due to the coronavirus pandemic. To say she was disappointed would be an understatement.
More Top Picks Best Drones Under 300
“I was devastated,” Pyburn said.
But there was a silver lining to her time off. Pyburn decided to have surgery to repair a hip labral tear in May 2020.
“This give me that restart that I’ve been needing,” she said. “The shortened season was upsetting, but it gave me the opportunity to get healthy.”
After the surgery, Pyburn jumped into her physical therapy sessions to speed up her recovery. By the fall season in September, she said she was “about 95%.”
She looked 100% this season, when she was one of the best players in the region.
Pyburn played in 44 games, including 11 starts, and hit .447 with 25 runs scored and 23 stolen bases. She said the Tigers’ deep lineup limited her at-bats, but she benefited from a move to the outfield.
“Coach Erica Hanrahan loves to play all 32 girls,” Pyburn said. “Everyone fought for a spot every single practice. Once I was moved to the outfield and stepped foot out there, I immediately lit it up. I was confident and proud. My role this year was to get my job done and take every opportunity I had, in every game or practice, to play my best and execute.”
Pyburn helped DePauw (40-4) equal a single-season program record for victories, win the North Coast Athletic Conference West Division and finish third in the NCAA Division III Tournament.
Pyburn, who was named to the All-NCAC West Team, said the Tigers’ success was the highlight of her season. She also was selected for the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division III Central Region second team.
“The awards mean a lot to me because I’ve worked so hard to get back where I was after my surgery,” Pyburn said. “I wanted to be better, and it showed that every extra hour in the weight room or cages worked and was worth it. That means a lot and shows the effort I had put into this season.”
Pyburn entered her freshman season at DePauw with high expectations after hitting .454 with five home runs and 35 RBIs as a senior at Antioch. She developed a reputation for clutch hitting and slick fielding at second base.
Antioch coach Anthony Rocco said he never doubted Pyburn’s ability to play in college.
“Abby has been an exceptional athlete and always gave defenses trouble with all the ways she can attack them as a slapper,” he said. “She can power slap and also play the small game.”
Bob Narang is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.