By Bob Sutton
Special to The Alamance News
Bri Gallagher’s sophomore season with the Catawba College softball team came with superlatives on offense and defense.
The Southern Alamance graduate experienced joy in both.
“I found my fit,” she said.
Back in the outfield where she’s more familiar, Gallagher received a Rawlings Division II Gold Glove Award for right field from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association for the top defender at each position in the country. This came after a position change.
At the plate, she produced a team-record 22-game hitting streak from mid-March through early April.
Gallagher had played as a junior center fielder on Southern’s 2021 Class 3A state championship team. But she was needed in the infield, so she played as a shortstop as a Catawba freshman.
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She returned to the outfield during the past season, with the exception of a couple of games.
“It felt good to be back on the grass,” Gallagher said. “I just think it’s the thrill knowing you’re the last line of defense. I love diving for the ball and there’s no one behind me. I’ve got to catch this ball.”
Gallagher became the first player in Catawba program history to receive a Gold Glove Award.
Her consistency on offense was a boost for the Indians as well. Yet during the hitting streak, it wasn’t something she was aware of.
“I didn’t even know that was kind of a thing,” she said. “I had no idea until I lost the streak.”
Usually occupying the fourth or fifth spot in Catawba’s lineup, she batted a team-best .385 and compiled a team-high 26 walks. She also homered five times and posted nine doubles while playing all 50 games for the Indians.
Gallagher’s hitting streak ended in a home matchup vs. Wingate, but she figured by then she had established other ways to contribute.
“At least I’m doing my job on defense,” she said.
She was an All-South Atlantic Conference first team selection. Catawba finished with a 23-27 record.
Gallagher said she wasn’t certain if college softball would be in her future until the pandemic nixed most of the 2020 season with Southern.
“I was a little on the edge if I wanted to play college before COVID hit,” she said. “Everything got taken away from me, so I (realized) I want to do this.”
In 2023, Gallagher was an All-SAC third team choice and All-SAC Tournament selection. She played in all 45 of the Indians’ games.
including tying a program record with seven runs batted in when she homered twice in a SAC Tournament game vs. Limestone.
Looking ahead, her goals with Catawba are “making more memories with softball.”
- Kinsley Caldwell, formerly of Burlington Christian School, also plays for Catawba. The first baseman / outfielder appeared in 37 games during the season, batting .300 with two home runs and four doubles in limited plate appearances.
