ARCANUM – Arcanum senior Abbie Bruns signed her letter of intent Wednesday afternoon to play college softball for Lincoln Memorial University.
Bruns, the daughter of Greg and Julie Bruns, said she’s known for years that she wanted to attend Lincoln Memorial and play softball.
“The first time I walked on the campus I just knew,” she said. “It was so beautiful, and it’s been my dream school since then. I’m so grateful to have gotten an opportunity to sign with them.”
Bruns will study pre-pharmacy at Lincoln Memorial prior to studying pharmacy in graduate school.
“A little town. There’s one traffic light,” Bruns said of Harrogate, Tennessee, the home of Lincoln Memorial. “Kind of like home. It’s perfect.”
Bruns, who anticipates being a middle infielder and utility player for the NCAA Division II softball program, has attended camps at Lincoln Memorial and become familiar with the Railsplitters’ softball program over the past few years.
“For the past three years we’ve been in contact with just emailing through thank yous for the camps and just getting to know each other,” Bruns said of her correspondence with the Lincoln Memorial coaches. “All the players there are great, and the coaching staff is amazing.”
Bruns has been successful because of her of her work ethic, Arcanum softball coach Rick Stone said. She hardly takes any time off, he said, and the hard work has paid off.
“Definitely one of the hardest workers I’ve ever coached,” Stone said. “I’ve had others, but she’s right up there at the top.”
With her confidence, determination and work ethic, Stone is confident that Bruns will be very successful at the college level.
“She’s played like I said all summer long,” he said. “I know she travels all over to different states and plays. She’s seen the caliber of players … I’m sure she’s played against some college players already this year, this summer. She’s ready, and like I said she’ll be very successful at the next level.”
Bruns said she is very grateful for everyone who has helped her achieve her goal of playing college softball.
“It’s been a huge goal of mine to do this ever since I was little,” Bruns said. “Without the help of my parents and all the past coaches that I’ve had … they’ve helped a lot and I’m very grateful for all of them.”
