Greenwood’s Abigail Byrd is headed upstate to continue her softball career, signing to play for Northern Kentucky on Wednesday.

“I am really excited,” Byrd said. “When I was growing up playing softball I really didn’t think I would get to make it to that next level. Now that I have that opportunity I am pretty excited about it.”

Byrd added signing with Northern Kentucky was an easy decision.

“I really liked the modern atmosphere with the school and how everything was so close,” Byrd said. “I feel like everything was up to date. I (also) liked how close it was – to still have my family come up and see me play.”

The senior pitcher was Greenwood’s No. 1 starter until she was sidelined with a knee injury, missing the last month of the season. Byrd appeared in 16 games, going 10-4 with a 2.50 ERA in 84 innings with a team-best 113 strikeouts.

Byrd said the injury is behind her and she will be 100% by the time Greenwood’s season starts in the spring.

“I’ve been able to play travel ball, so I am good and healthy,” Byrd said. “I told the coaches up there (about my injury) and they didn’t have a problem with it. They said that I would come back even better.”

Byrd will join a Northern Kentucky team that finished 27-22 last season, advancing to the championship game of the Horizon League Tournament. She said she is happy to have the recruiting process behind her and is ready to focus on her final season at Greenwood.

“It’s a huge relief,” Byrd said. “I didn’t have an easy recruiting process. It was kind of hard going to all these places and having coaches reach out – going to all these camps and showcases. It was very stressful. Now that I am able to calm down and I have made my decision, it is definitely a huge weight off of me.”