Softball has been ingrained in Abby Dunning’s life from a very young age. Before she was even officially on a team, she considered herself a softball player, as her two older sisters played the sport with their dad as their coach. Now, after playing four years of softball at Boston College, the Chicago native is playing her fifth collegiate season as a right-handed pitcher at Clemson University. After getting her bachelor’s degree in communications, Dunning knew she wanted to pursue her master’s and final year of eligibility at a school where she could play at “the highest level” and compete in the “postseason dreams” she has yet had the opportunity to act on.

In her first four collegiate seasons at Boston College, Dunning had 93 pitching appearances, started in 62 games, with a 3.11 earned run average. In 2024, Dunning struck out a career-high 12 batters against Florida Gulf Coast University, and in 2025, she ranked 30th on The College Sports Evaluators Top 50 Pitchers List.

When considering one of the biggest lessons she learned during her time at BC, Dunning reflects:

“You can achieve anything you set your mind to. BC wasn’t necessarily one of the top programs but every time I stepped on the field, I felt like I could compete with any player or any team out there. I think that confidence and mindset in the circle have helped me have success. Just that belief that you know you can do it - that you’ve worked hard, you’ve trained to at your highest level, just as much as anybody else - why can’t you do it?”

From her first visit, Dunning loved the college-town feel Clemson offered. She instantly loved the coaches and the family environment: “It was so welcoming…it’s been a great fit for me.” One of the biggest aspects that drew Dunning to Clemson Softball was the fanbase. While playing for Boston College, one of the main aspects of playing against Clemson that stood out to Dunning was the support the Tigers’ fans showed for their softball program. Dunning knew she wanted to be part of that and play for a team with such a supportive community behind it.

For Dunning, it’s the people who shape Clemson Softball into such a special program. She lights up, explaining that it comes down to the “dedication from the people within it. It actually feels like a family, and you love everyone so much.” She also notes the healthy competition aspect of Clemson Softball:

“You want everyone to be successful, and people are going to work hard and push you to be your best…. just having that support of your teammates and your coaches, even while we're doing hard conditioning and hard workouts, you get through it together. It's such a rewarding thing. Everyone has each other's backs, which creates an awesome environment to compete and train in. It’s truly a place you can go if you need support from the coaches or your teammates. People are always there to help in any way needed.”

So far, one of the biggest lessons Dunning has learned from Clemson’s Head Coach John Rittman and Associate Head Coach Kyle Jamieson is to “hold yourself accountable.” She elaborates: “What you put in is what you’re going to get out. Nothing is going to be handed to you; you need to dedicate time and do it for yourself if you want to achieve those things.”

When choosing her major for her bachelor’s degree, Dunning was drawn to communications. Specifically, the subject’s broad scope and her ability to study so many topics within the area appealed to her. Of course, she also appreciated how sports can be heavily involved in the subject. After earning her master’s in athletic leadership, Dunning plans to explore a career in sports marketing, aiming to stay involved in sports through the marketing and business sides of the industry.

When asked if she could give any advice to young girls looking to pursue softball at the collegiate level, Dunning relays: “I would say have confidence and believe in yourself because if you don’t believe in yourself, then no one else is going to. Just fake it until you make it. If you go out there thinking that someone is better than you or are nervous…then you’ve already lost the battle.” She concludes: “So have the confidence and fully buy into it because you know that you can reach the goals you have for yourself.”

Looking ahead to the 2026 softball season, Dunning is looking forward to playing with her new teammates, because “the girls are amazing and phenomenal athletes, and I feel like [there’s] so much talent that this is, hopefully, going to be a really successful year.” She adds, with a smile: “I’m really excited to compete with these girls, and I know they all have my back, and I’m just excited to get on the field again.”