Boyd pitcher Abby Atkinson announced her verbal commitment to Stanford University prior to the start of her junior season. Atkinson was the 2025 All-Wise Softball MVP and earned District 10-3A’s Pitcher of the Year and Blue Bell/Texas Sports Writers Association 3A Second Team accolades. MICAH MCCARTNEY | WCMESSENGER
Boyd pitcher Abby Atkinson’s decision to switch her focus from the court to the diamond has paid off with the chance to play for one of the top programs in the country.
Following the Lady Jackets’ strong run last season, Atkinson wasted no time in making her future plans known. She verbally committed to play for Stanford in September just weeks into her junior year.
“It’s a dream come true to be able to continue my career after high school, and to have the chance to play for a program like Stanford,” Atkinson said. “For me, this season is really all about showing out and proving that I deserve this. I’m really looking forward to my senior year so that I can sign and make it official.”
Atkinson — a two-sport athlete for Boyd — said the decision to prioritize softball over basketball at a young age ignited her passion for the game.
“I grew up playing both, but I always liked softball more. My mom signed me up for T-ball, and I just fell in love with it,” Atkinson said “…I actually started out as a catcher, and switched to pitcher. I had a couple of coaches come out to watch me when I was in 14U, but a lot more came out when I was playing 16U.”
While pursing a collegiate career, Atkinson wanted to find a school that would allow her to pursue her goals off the field.
“I wanted a good sports program, but also the academics to back it,” she said. “Whenever I heard about Stanford, I knew that was the perfect fit for me. Also, it’s in California, so the weather is perfect. I’ll be taking the pre-med track, and I plan on going to medical school, as well.”
Stanford’s first season in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) saw the Cardinal program (42-13) go 16-8 in conference play, and advance to the NCAA Division I playoffs.
Stanford claimed a 9-2 regional first-round win over Binghampton. Following a 14-1 victory over Oregon, Stanford was eliminated by the Ducks, suffering 15-5 and 10-7 losses.
Atkinson — who was the 2024 All-Wise Softball Pitcher of the Year in her rookie season — is coming off a strong 2025 campaign, taking home the District 10-3A Pitcher of the Year, All-Wise MVP and Blue Bell/Texas Sports Writers Association 3A Second Team honors.
The right-handed hurler went 26-3 last season, and threw 12 no-hitters. She finished with a 0.643 earned run average with 321 strikeouts and 82 walks. She and held opposing teams to a .066 batting average, surrendering just 31 hits.
Atkinson’s bat was big in Boyd’s lineup, racking up a .434 batting average with 43 hits, five home runs and 43 RBIs with a 1.254 slugging percentage and .468 on-base percentage.
She also was unblemished in the field, cashing in on 33 putouts and three assists in 36 total chances.
Boyd (29-6-2, 11-1) set a new program-high in wins in 2025 and claimed 10-3A’s top seed in the 3A Division II bracket, knocking out Duncanville Village Tech (19-0), Mount Vernon (1-0, 3-0) and De Kalb (2-1, 2-1) before falling to S&S in the 3AII Region II final series, 2-1 and 12-2.
The Lady Jackets’ 2026 campaign begins at the Stephenville tournament Feb. 12-14.
“We’re definitely making playoffs, and I think we’re capable of making a deep run again this year,” Atkinson said. “It all comes down to how hard we work during practice and getting our reps in.”
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