VIDEO: Abbi Martin Interview

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – This is the first in a three-part series breaking down Carson-Newman softball's positions for the 2024 season. This feature works through the outfield with assistance from sophomore Abbi Martin. 

Carson-Newman, as is the case for the majority of the Eagles' positions heading into the 2024 campaign, returns a lot in the outfield. While SieAnna Cameron is out for the year after offseason surgery, Abbi Martin, Macey Hughes, Mary Vandergriff and Mari Robbins have oodles of experience and a combined 288 career starts under their belts. 

"I've put a ton of work into the weight room knowing that my arm needs to be stronger moving to centerfield," Martin said. "SieAnna lit a fire in me last year to be one of the best people on the team. I want to continue that this year."

Martin turned in a stellar freshman campaign in the outfield. She cemented herself in the starting lineup midway through February, making 40 starts and 47 appearances en route to hitting .330. She collected eight multi-hit efforts, including a three-hit day against Catawba (March 11).  She had her lone multi-RBI contest against Northern State (Feb. 24).  Martin roped five doubles on the year and hit an inside-the-park home run against Emory & Henry (April 15). 

She produced a career-long six-game hitting and reached-base streak from March 11-18.  From March 11-16 against Catawba and UVA Wise she tallied four consecutive multi-hit efforts.  With a dangerous arm, Martin threw out six runners at he plate, tied with teammate SieAnna Cameron for the highest total in the South Atlantic Conference.

She's joined on the edges of the outfield by Vandergriff and Hughes, who could split time with infield positions as well. 

A two, time all-region honoree, Hughes was a second team selection last year at first base before qualifying for the utility position this year splitting time between first and the outfield.

The Gibbs-product has been her usual productive self at the plate.  Hughes hit .371 with 12 doubles, two triples and six blasts.  In spite of moving from the three-hole to the two-hole in the order this season, she still has driven in 46 runs to rank second on the team and ninth in the run-happy SAC.

Her numbers this year have moved her into eighth in school history all-time with 24 home runs and ninth all-time for career RBI with 138. Hughes tallied a career-long 11-game hitting streak from Feb. 26 to March 18.

Vandergriff was a 41-game starter in the outfield for Carson-Newman.  She hit .289 this year with 33 knocks, two doubles, a home run and 21 runs batted in. The preseason All-SAC outfielder had eight multi-hit games and five multi-RBI efforts.  Vandergriff finished the season strong, with three multi-hit efforts in postseason play.  She hit her lone home run of the year and drove in three at Mars Hill (Feb. 22).

"We've got a lot of knowledge to the game," Martin said. "It's helpful that we have infielders who also play in the outfield because they are more in tune with the game. Everyone is talkative and that brings more energy." 

Robbins made 30 appearances on the year for C-N with 17 starts in the outfield.  The sophomore hit .333 for the year with 13 hits and 26 runs scored in 39 trips to the plate.  She had two doubles, two dingers and drove in seven runs.  Robbins hit her first career home run in pinch-hit, inside-the-park fashion to spark a rally at Emmanuel (Feb. 18).

Her second was a no doubt moon shot at Anderson (April 20) to drive in two runs. She hit successfully in four straight games for the first time in her career from April 11-20 and carries a five-game reached-base streak into her junior year, a career-long streak.  Robbins successfully swiped nine bags on the year without being caught. 

"I know if we're not hitting, it puts a lot of pressure on our pitchers," Martin said. "We want to get on base so that our heavy hitters can drive us in."

Track star Brooke Taylor adds serious speed in the outfield, while Martin expects freshman Trinity Brooks to contribute. 

"She is fast," Martin said. "As soon as the ball is hit off the bat, her first step is unbelievable. Then when she does get the ball back in with quick hands."

For Taylor, the speedy two-sport star appeared in 13 games with two starts in the outfield. Primarily used as a pinch-runner, Taylor scored three times on the year, including the game-winning run in a wild 13-12, eight-inning walk-off win to sweep rival Tusculum.

Brooks played softball, basketball and soccer at Jackson Christian School. She hit .414 with a home run and 16 stolen bases.  Brooks was a four-time all-region and all-district selection.  She was named Offensive Player of the Year in the 2021 season and Defensive Player of the Year in the 2022 season. Brooks was part of the Region Championship team in 2022 and the Region Runner-up team in 2021 and 2023.

Carson-Newman softball's position previews continue Monday with the pitchers and catchers.