TCC's Ally Ledenham part of historic class at Southeastern University

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (August 31, 2012) – Tallahassee Community College's Ally Ledenham, who played for the Eagles in 2011-12, has signed a national letter of intent with Southeastern University. 

Ledenham, a right-handed pitcher, is part of Southeastern's first-ever softball signing class, a group who will make their diamond debut in 2013. 

"I am extremely excited to be a part of Southeastern's very first softball team," said Ledenham. "No team (at Southeastern) has ever won a conference championship, so I am hoping to be a part of the first." 

Southeastern, located in Lakeland, Fla., competes as an NAIA school in The Sun Conference, an eight-team softball league that includes Webber International, St. Thomas, Ave Maria, Northwood, Warner, SCAD Savannah and USC-Beaufort. 

"I would not be the student-athlete I am today if it were not for Coach Patti (Townsend) and the TCC program," Ledenham added. "She taught me to compete at the highest level and, because of that, I feel prepared to be a part of any program." 

After seeing action in only two games as a freshman, Ledenham turned in an all-conference performance in 2012 – she was 9-2 with a 1.52 ERA and one save in 17 appearances. She held opponents to a .186 batting average – lowest on the TCC staff. 

She was even better in league play, posting a 3-1 record and team-best 0.88 ERA – numbers that earned her second-team all-Panhandle Conference honors. 

"I am really excited about the opportunity for Ally," said Townsend. "She will be able to step right in and be a force on the mound. 

"She had to overcome a near fatal car accident (in high school), so to see her on the field doing what she loves is a proud moment for all of us (at TCC)." 

Ledenham is a native of Lithia, Fla., a short 30-minute drive from the Southeastern campus.