Swinging Her Way into Softball

Many of those who play the game think softball is misnamed– after all, there’s nothing “soft” about it and it just leaves bigger bruises. Still, sophomore Hannah Breeden chooses to play this tough sport alongside some of her best friends every year.

Breeden has been playing ball since she was four years old. Her first encounter with playing softball was a blind leap of faith, but she then grew to love the game. Along the way she has had opportunities to meet new and influential coaches and teammates. For example, Lady Fluco Katlin Gordon started playing softball with Breeden when she was six years old and they journeyed together through rec, travel, and school ball. Although Breeden has made her way around the field, she said her favorite position is middle infield, which she considers her strongest position. “I guess I like it because it’s my strongest position and that’s where I started off playing,” Breeden said about middle infield.

Not only does Breeden play for the Lady Flucos, she also plays travel ball with former Fluvanna player Catera Marsh on the Zero Tolerance team. Being on the team has allowed her to play at colleges and attend college camps, as well as play softball at Liberty University, James Madison University, and Eastern Mennonite University.

In the 2016 season, Breeden played on The Lady Flucos JV team with some of her close friends, including, “She’s such an amazing softball player and I think no matter if you’re the best or the worst, you always grow,” said Gordon.

“Hannah is a very good softball player. She has an above-average arm and is an excellent defensive player,” said former Fluco JV coach Tre Smith. “She was one of my captains last year and she did a great job of really improving her hitting as well. She listens well, works hard, and is a really great athlete to coach,” he said.

This upcoming season, Breeden is hoping to make Varsity, and would like to play college ball or even go professional. “There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that she can play college or professional ball,” said Gordon. When asked what college Breeden would like to attend, she said, “probably JMU but I don’t know about any other colleges yet.”