Monica Cecilia Abbott (born July 28, 1985) is a retired American professional softball player.
Abbott was an All-American pitcher for the Tennessee Lady Volunteers in college before starting a professional career in the NPF and in the Japan Softball League.
[1] While at North Salinas, Abbott led the Vikings to three CIF Central Coast Section Division I titles, averaging more than 300 strikeouts per season.
[1] Much sought after by many colleges, Abbott decided to go to the University of Tennessee, with their treatment of female athletes an influencing factor.
[2] Abbott pitched for the University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers softball team from 2004 to 2007 and majored in communications.
[1] Abbott became a two-time first-team Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-American and All-South Region selection after going 50–9 with a 0.52 ERA in 392.0 IP.
[5] She guided UT to its first SEC title and a berth in the CWS championship, where they lost to top-ranked Arizona in the best-of-three series final.
[7] Abbott was the first pitcher in NCAA Division I history to record 500 strikeouts in all four years of her collegiate career.
[8] She was Tennessee's first softball All-American in school history and was named to the All-Women's College World Series team three times.
[6] Abbott stepped down from the US Softball National Team in 2010 but returned in 2018 where she helped the USA win another World Championship.
On August 11, 2008, Abbott made her Olympic debut for Team USA, pitching the final inning against Venezuela.
Abbott then pitched a 5 inning perfect game, striking out 8, as Team USA defeated the Netherlands 8–0.
[15] Abbott started in three matches for Team USA in the 2020 Summer Olympics group stage against Canada, Australia, and Japan.
[18] Abbott debuted in the NPF on August 2, 2007, by striking out a career best 18 batters in a 10-inning victory against the Rockford Thunder.
[6] On July 23, 2015, Abbott pitched her second perfect game as a member of the Chicago Bandits, beating the Dallas Charge, 10–0.
As demand for more clinics has gotten stronger, Abbott is planning to introduce an online academy to help her reach more youth.