When Abby Trahan left Saint Francis last summer, after finishing her sophomore season with the Red Flash, she thought she had found a new home at Southern Miss in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Significantly closer to her hometown of Kaplan, Louisiana, Trahan committed to the Golden Eagles with the goal of pitching for a Conference USA title.
Trahan was named the C-USA Pitcher of the Year in the league’s postseason awards this season, after posting overall numbers that included a 1.89 ERA, with a 14-11 record and 129 strikeouts, while opponents batted just .234 against her.
After the Golden Eagles were eliminated in the first round of the C-USA tournament, Trahan announced her intentions to transfer out of Hattiesburg. As a two-time transfer, Trahan will have to redshirt in 2020 and will have one year of eligibility remaining. She spoke to JWOS earlier this week about her decision to transfer, being a 2-time entrant into the transfer portal, and more.
(Editor’s Note: On May 14th, after our interview, Trahan announced via social media her intentions to transfer to North Carolina State, where she will be reunited with former Saint Francis head coach Jennifer Patrick-Swift.)
Justin’s World of Softball: What led you to Southern Miss originally?
Abby Trahan: Originally, I committed to Southern Miss because I felt that it would fit me well. When I visited, I saw a school that seemed like I could enjoy my last two years of eligibility and be successful.
JWOS: Similarly, what has now led you to re-enter the portal prior to your senior season?
Trahan: I realized that Southern Miss, though it is a great school, was not the fit for me anymore. My parents and I both felt that it was in my best personal interest to enter the portal and find a new school that I could not only be successful at, but also be happy at while finishing my career and graduating.
JWOS: What qualities are you looking for in a new school and a home for your final college season?
Trahan: In my final season, I’m looking for a program that will fit me perfectly. Ideally, I’d love to join a successful program where I can be successful on the field, as well as a program that I can be myself and enjoy where my feet are. I’d love to find a program that feels like home to me.
JWOS: Are you primarily looking to stay close to home, or just anywhere that you get that ‘home’ feeling?
Trahan: No, location isn’t a factor for me. I think that whether it is close to home or far to home, the right program will feel like home to me.
JWOS: After a great career thus-far, dominating a pair of conferences during your time in each, what does your ideal senior season look like, wherever it may happen?
Trahan: I think my ideal senior season looks the same as my first three years. I think I’m able to make an impact wherever I decide to go, so I would love to finish my career with another conference title and making a postseason run.
JWOS: How big of a role did coach Hogue’s resignation play in your decision to transfer from USM, if at all?
Trahan: It didn’t. I decided to enter the transfer portal before I knew she was resigning.
JWOS: As polarizing as the new transfer portal has been for some, does that perception affect you at all as you look for a new home now for the second time?
Trahan: No, I don’t really worry about that kind of stuff. The most important thing for my family and I is my happiness. They’ve been super supportive of my decisions, so the only thing I’m worried about is finding a program I will be successful and happy in.
JWOS: After seeing your tweet about ‘showing Conference USA who Abby Trahan is’. Is that the same mindset you’ll take to your new team + conference?
Trahan: Yes, absolutely. That’s been my mindset since freshman year, so I don’t see that changing any time soon.
JWOS: With one more college year to go, what is the legacy that you hope to leave on the game?
Trahan: When it’s all said and done, I hope to be remembered as the kid who just really, really loved the game and worked hard to be the best at it any chance she could.
