Catch Up With Loyola Softball’s Abbie Gregus

When second-year catcher Abbie Gregus first began playing softball, she was an infielder. She only switched to the catcher position after one of her teammates abruptly quit. Since her dad was her coach at the time, Gregus was called to step in behind the plate.

“I ended up being pretty good at it so I enjoyed it more,” Gregus said. “I just really fell in love with the spot so I just kept playing over and over again.”

Loyola softball head coach Alicia Abbott said above all, Gregus’ personality stuck out to her during the recruiting process. Abbott described Gregus as having an electric personality and said she has always been a good teammate and a fun-loving person. 

When it comes to her abilities on the field, Abbott said Gregus commands the field and strikes fear into her opponents. 

“She has an absolutely incredible arm,” Abbott said. “She’s a catcher who undoubtedly saves us runs, helps pitchers out, that cultivates a great relationship with them. And I think those were really key points in wanting to bring her to Loyola.”

Gregus said Loyola was an easy choice after her first campus visit. She said after meeting with the coaches and some of her future teammates, she could tell how close and comfortable the team was with each other. As a special education major, Gregus said Loyola’s education program was another big draw for her. 

As the season gets into full swing, Gregus said she’s excited for what’s in store this year because opponents see the team as the one to beat coming off of their championship run in their first year in the Atlantic 10 conference last year. 

Gregus said because of the bigger target on their backs this season, the team has made it a point to be the best they can be in every game with hopes to win the conference tournament this year.

“Because we did get second, I think there’s a bigger push for us to win the A-10,” Gregus said.  “We’re playing tougher, and we really want it this year.”

In the offseason, Gregus said the aspect of her game she worked on the most was her confidence. She said in her first year, it was difficult being one of the youngest players on the field because she didn’t know as much yet. 

This year, Gregus has appeared in 31 games, starting in 25 of them. She’s recorded 125 putouts, eight assists and averages a fielding percentage of .993. At bat, Gregus has improved her batting average to .194 from .083 this time last year.

Abbott said the coaching staff has worked with Gregus on hitting this year and has seen her improvement. She said Gregus has been able to put good balls into play helping the team score more runs. 

“She’s got all the potential in the world in terms of power,” Abbott said. “And I think it’s just figuring out how to make sure she stays consistent with her power a little bit more than maybe she has been in the past.”

Gregus has also recorded four homeruns so far this season, including the first of her collegiate career against the University of Toledo Feb. 10. 

The four homers also include one against the No. 10 ranked University of Florida Feb. 16. Gregus said while playing Florida and other strong softball schools, it’s important for her to maintain the confidence she’s worked on building. 

“It’s really just the confidence piece that’s starting to build up more and more, trusting myself,” Gregus said. “I think the biggest thing is realizing I only have two years left and that’s it, so I think just enjoying every moment that I can.”

Abbott said she hopes Gregus is able to continue hitting homeruns for the Ramblers this season and said the ones she’s hit so far have been moments where the hit helped the team build needed momentum. 

“I think her home runs have come in pretty cool situations for her in particular, and she’s broken up a couple of really big games for us in terms of she’s been able to put that home run in play against Florida, she was able to put a ground ball in play against Oklahoma State,” Abbott said.

Gregus said that for the rest of the season, she hopes to enjoy all the little moments with her teammates. She said the relationships she has built with her teammates is the most important part to her. 

“My teammates are just the best people in the entire world and I’m so happy that I chose to be with them and be in this program,” Gregus said. “We’re very honest with each other, which I think is just awesome, and we’re a very close team. There’s 19 of us but I truly do believe that each one of us has each other’s backs and it’s so obvious on and off the field.” 

Featured image courtesy of Loyola Athletics