Just a matter of days before boarding a flight to Florida for its season-opening spring break, the Worcester State University softball team was thrown a curveball.

Senior infielder Ashley Lynch started playing T-ball at a very young age. Her passion for the sport showed in her performance on the field. By middle school, she threw the ball harder than most boys her age. Continuing in high school, she played for the Shrewsbury Colonials and couldn’t get enough.

Ashley’s collegiate softball career started at Simmons University in Boston where she played her freshman season, batting .259 with 16 runs scored and seven RBIs in 38 games played for the Sharks. 

Simmons was not the right fit however, and Ashley transferred to Worcester State for her sophomore year. “I decided to play at Worcester State because it offered a pathway to meeting some of my closest friends as well as providing an outlet and stress reliever after a long day of class or work,” she said. “I just get to mess around and not think for a couple of hours. What’s better than that?”

Softball gave Ashley balance in her life. “It takes discipline to organize your life in such a way you can be successful in all these areas - life, school, softball, and work - and it definitely took me a while to prioritize the necessities.”

Ashley was heartbroken to hear her season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Not only did I think the last time I saw my team was going to be a brief two weeks, it ended up being the last time for the entire season and my graduating year.” The season was initially cancelled through March 30, before being suspended indefinitely and later permanently.

Even with the season ending early, Ashley cherishes the years she had on the field of Ralph Raymond Diamond. She is going to miss the competitiveness of the game and the close-knit group of friends she has made throughout the years.

Ashley rounded out her career for the Lancers batting .312 in two seasons, with 74 hits, 41 runs scored, and 21 runs batted in. She was named to the MASCAC’s Second Team All-Conference at the shortstop position as a junior in 2019.

Ashley can see herself playing softball in the future. “If I do play after college it’ll be once I’ve settled down with a job and some of my coworkers want to join a recreational league. I’ll be ready to hit some dingers out there.” She’s even considered coaching to inspire kids like her coaches have inspired her.

While her career at Worcester State may have come to a close, Ashley still intends to keep close tabs on the Lancer softball team. “I’m so proud of my team and the progress we made in the weeks leading up to our spring training,” she said. “I know they’re going to kill it next year and I’m really excited for them.“

#WooSB