LebCo Female Athletes of the Week: Abby Palkovic (Week Ending April 7, 2024)

Sponsored by Lebanon Federal Credit Union & WiLBuR / Froggy Valley 100.1

If you like this type of coverage, please let us know by Following us on social media: Twitter/X – @lebcosports1 and Facebook.

For any questions, comments, or discrepancies, please reach out to dan@lebcosports.com.

Abby Palkovic

After missing her entire junior season with a shoulder injury, Abby Palkovic let her presence be felt in the lineup for Northern Lebanon Softball. In the first two games of the season, the senior went 4-4 with a home run and two doubles while driving in three runs as the Vikings defeated Lancaster Catholic. She then followed it up with a double, walk, 2 RBI, and a run scored in Northern Lebanon’s win over Manheim Township. It was these two performances and Palkovic’s resiliency to get back on the field that caught the attention of the LebCoSports.com voters, who selected her as the LebCo Female Athlete of the Week.
Palkovic has continued wielding a hot bat through Northern Lebanon’s first seven games, helping her squad to a 6-1 record. In those games, she was batting .500 with eleven hits, nine of which went for extra bases. Her early season domination has included six home runs and twenty-one (yes, TWENTY-ONE) RBI. With that kind of performance, it is safe to say that Palkovic is back.

Following her return from injury, which included getting her labrum and rotator cuff repaired, Palkovic has transitioned from playing catcher to taking on a new challenge at first base. Palkovic addressed how she is dealing with the extra challenge, stating, “I am putting in lots of extra work with coaches and outside of practice to be the best that I can be.”

Northern Lebanon Coach Bob Bashore said the following about Palkovic: “Abby is a very talented and athletic kid but what makes her different from other athletic kids is her knowledge for the game and very strong work ethic. Unfortunately last year she was sidelined with a major injury and I’m sure it wasn’t easy to come back from but with her passion for the game and determination she overcame and are we glad to have her back.”

While Palkovic is on a hot streak as an individual, and she has a goal of reaching the 100-hit mark for her career, her main focus remains on how she can help the Vikings win as a team. Palkovic said, “I hope to continue providing for my team in the box. Everyone in our lineup is solid, so as long as I am able to continue to do my part, I’m happy.”

Her goals this season also revolve around what the team can accomplish. Palkovic said, “I hope to see our team make a lengthy playoff run. We have always played in the postseason in the past, but we have never made it as far as we hope. Our team has something special, and I am excited for the season.”

This competitive streak is something that is innate to Palkovic. Her father played Soccer at a high level and represented Belgium. Her mother was an elite Softball player, but her career was ironically cut short by the same injury that the young Palkovic sustained and was able to overcome. Beyond genetics, Palkovic is thankful for the support her parents have provided her over the years on a variety of fronts.

Another thing to know about Palkovic is that her superstition led to her selection of a hairstyle. After going 3-3 in her first game as a freshman, she decided to let it ride. This continued through her junior year, even when she couldn’t get onto the field.
Eventually, when Palkovic graduates in the Class of ’24, she will head to Penn State – Scranton, where she is committed to continuing her playing career. She has plans to major in nursing.

When it comes to her future, Coach Bashore sums it up by saying this about Palkovic, “How I look at kids that leave our program is not how good of an athlete they are but how much they’ve matured so I can tell what is going to happen when they step out into the real world. There is no doubt in my mind that she will become anything she wants to once her softball career is over and be successful at it.” He went on to say, “It has been an honor and pleasure to coach Abby the last four years.”

At this point, Palkovic still has a long season to continue wearing the blue and gold as a strong representative of Viking Nation. We wish her and her teammates all the best in extending their season as long as possible.

Photos provided by Abby Palkovic

Click to read about the LebCo Male Athletes of the Week: Tyler Burgess & Andrew Via

For a full list of this week’s nominees, check out: Athlete of the Week Voting: April 1 – April 7

Previous Winners

Katelyn Brenner (Weeks of March 11th, 18th)

Abby Hassler (Week of March 25th)

Danika Setlock (Week of March 25th)