Joiner brings the heat

Some people are born to play a sport, Jennifer Joiner is one of those people.

“I’ve played softball for a long time,” Joiner said. “I started playing fastpitch when I was in seventh grade. That was the first year my school played fastpitch. I was friends with the catcher, so her dad taught me the mechanics of pitching. I made the Varsity team my first year and started pitching fastpitch.”

After playing her freshman year at St. Petersburg Community College and her sophomore year at Auburn University, Joiner transferred to Georgia College & State University to play softball with her best friend.

“I was going to stop playing softball and focus on my education, but then I got a call from GC&SU. My best friend Rebecca Heinicka is the catcher here, and I thought it would be fun to play on the same team with her. Not to mention the reputation the softball program has. The coach (Windy Thees) is one of the greatest softball coaches.”

Joiner’s years of experience have paid off. Last season she earned All-Peach Belt Conference honors. She has also set numerous pitching records here at GC&SU. She set the single season record for strikeouts with 142, averaged 6.6 strikeouts per game, and holds the lowest opponent batting average at .200. Joiner hopes to continue with her winning pitching.

“This season I hope to build on the season I had last year,” she said. “I hope to pitch a few more shutouts for the team.”

Joiner has been seen playing first base for the Bobcats, but primarily pitches. She is honored to play with her teammates.

“We are all pretty close,” she said. “The team is like one big group of friends.”

To prepare for a game, Joiner typically runs through the game in her head. She visualizes the way she wants things to go.

“We have this book that tells you the best ways to mentally prepare for a game. We kind of play the game in our heads,” Joiner said.

Joiner’s major is nursing. After graduation she plans to work in a hospital.

“I would really like to work on the surgical floor of a hospital. I haven’t decided what hospital or even what city,” she said.

With the season the lady Bobcats had last year it is no surprise that Joiner has high hopes for the team this season.

“My goal for the team is to make it to the Nationals. I know that we have the potential,” she said. “We picked up six freshmen this year that are incredible. They add a lot of strength to the team. Between all of us I know that making it to the National Championship game is a realistic goal.”

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Mar 14 2003. Filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry