By Sue Moore
Spring Arbor University softball and recruiting coaches were present when Vicksburg High senior Abbey Lafler signed a letter of intent to play for the university in 2020.
The four-year athletic and academic scholarship was offered by Coach Deb Thompson, who observed Lafler’s pitching at a fall recruitment clinic.
Thompson, recruiting coach Terry Reynolds and Asst. Softball Coach Joe Robertson all attended the signing ceremony. Spring Arbor is an NAIA Division II team, playing in the Crossroads League.
Lafler, a senior and Vicksburg’s centerfielder, can also play shortstop should the need arise.
After the recruitment clinic, Lafler was asked to come back for a second look. “I made a diving catch in the outfield, showed my hitting strength and they made me an offer right then,” she said.
“I loved the atmosphere at Spring Arbor. I felt the coaches were kind and welcoming. They have a close team and it just felt like family,” Lafler explained.
She carries a 4.026 GPA in high school while participating in the National Honor Society, the student senate and DECA. She was captain of the JV team for three years, with a .490 batting average in 2018. She plans to major in psychology or business at Spring Arbor. Her parents are Melissa and Rick Lafler, Jr. She has lived in Fulton all of her life.