The Final Round: Logan Calhoun

TROY, Ala. – Stepping onto campus in the fall of 2016, Logan Calhoun never expected to be roaming Troy University six years later.

"Coming in, I expected to be playing with the teammates that I had met at camps. I thought it was going to be typical four years of softball and getting my bachelor's degree. I was expecting to make memories and trying to win a championship in those four years."

Calhoun kicked off career her like most four-year players do – she saw action in over 100 games and was named to the 2018 All-Sun Belt Second Team as a shortstop.

Heading into her junior season as a veteran on the team, the Dublin, Ga., native started the first 15 games of the season just like the year before. However, in a tournament in Auburn, Ala., Calhoun tore her ACL.

"You know, I didn't wake up planning to tear my ACL. That wasn't quite part of the plan, but a ball was hit over Leanna's head, and I went to make a play that I have made since I was little. That day, I just took a wrong step."

Calhoun was granted a medical redshirt, gaining one more year to play Troy Softball. Despite no longer being able to contribute on the field, Calhoun knew she had to step into her new role from the dugout.

"I knew I had to be the best teammate that I could be as Kaylee Chapman went to play shortstop. But, it was tough. It was a real eye opener. I did a lot of self-reflection in that time, but talking to our athletic trainer, she helped me realize that I couldn't change what happened. It was time to start working on getting back out there or to give up on myself."

After recovering from injury throughout Troy's 2019 campaign, the now redshirt junior shortstop was ready to hit the field once again looking to finish what she started.

The Trojans kicked off the 2020 campaign with a loaded lineup, but just 23 games into the season, the COVID-19 pandemic put a halt to yet another season for Calhoun.

"I was just ready to get back out there. I knew we had a lot of talent, and we were going to be good. When they told us the season was cancelled, all I could think was 'why does this keep happening.' The game had been taken from me twice within a little over a year."

Due to the season being cut short, Calhoun and the rest of the squad earned another year of eligibility. Despite being done with her bachelor's degree, Calhoun knew without a doubt that she wasn't ready to just walk away from the game.

"I have been playing this game since I was three years old. It was really all about the love of the game. I have loved softball since I first picked up a ball, and I knew that I couldn't just walk away from it unfinished."

With a typical four-year playing career, Calhoun would've never suited up in the cardinal and white for the historic 2021 season. The troublesome path that it took to get to the start of a normal season proved to be well worth it as the Trojans made their first NCAA Regional in 25 years.

"It is crazy to think about. It all goes back to trusting the process and realizing God had a bigger plan than my own. I didn't think I was supposed to be at Troy for that season, but now it is evident that I was supposed to be here."

Now, Calhoun gears up for her final round at the Troy Softball Complex better than she ever was.

"This journey has made me realize that you can always work harder and get better at the little things. When you get injured, you can't always do much, but you can work on the little things that help you improve your game."

Troy University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Logan Calhoun

Kaylee Chapman

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