Kremlin Hillsdale High School’ Abbie LeCrone
Kremlin senior shortstop Abbie LeCrone brings a quiet focus and an energizing presence to a Broncs dugout she believes should never be silent.
LeCrone, a senior at Hilldale High School, anchors the infield at shortstop, a position she embraces because of the demanding range and responsibility it requires. “My position [is] hard because I have to cover a lot of ground,” she said. That challenge fits a player who has built her game around anticipation, communication and trust in the teammates around her.
At the plate, LeCrone relies on a simple, repeatable routine to stay locked in. Before each pitch, she focuses on clearing her mind and narrowing her vision to a specific spot. “To clear my mind and focus on the spot I’m looking for,” she said of her process in the batter’s box. That ability to reset quickly has helped her handle the inevitable ups and downs that come with the sport.
“The biggest thing I’ve learned from athletics is that failure is OK, it’s how you respond that defines you,” LeCrone said. That mindset traces back to her biggest role model, her mom, whom she calls the kindest person she knows. “My mom, she has a phenomenal work ethic and does everything to the best of her ability and is the kindest person I know,” LeCrone said.
Around school, LeCrone gravitates toward history class and points to Mrs. Johnson as her favorite teacher. Away from the field, she enjoys getting her nails done, shopping and relaxing, a balance that lets her reset from the grind of practices and games.
What keeps her coming back to softball each year, though, is the people. LeCrone said the best part of being on the Kremlin-Hillsdale varsity team is “the friendship and bonds it creates” and how genuine her teammates are with one another. She loves how they work together, whether that is in high-pressure innings or during loose moments in the dugout.
LeCrone insists that “the dugout should never be quiet,” and teammates like Reese Neal and Katy Jo Hayes help make sure of that, providing the chatter and laughs that keep the Broncs loose. By the time the final out is recorded, LeCrone is often in her favorite look – “my white on white” uniform – bearing the dirt and dust that come with playing one of the most demanding spots on the field.
