Jones shines in leadership role

Junior Heather Jones may be modest, but that doesn’t mean she’s not outspoken on the softball diamond.

The third-year catcher-turned-first baseman for the GC&SU Lady Bobcats softball squad makes her presence known at the Lady Bobcats’ games, be it by leading her team in batting average, doubles, and RBI or just simply making a racket from the dugout. Even when Jones is in the dugout waiting for her turn to bat, she can be heard cheering on her team from anywhere on the field.

“I like to be a team leader,” Jones said. “I like to be encouraging and vocal during the games.”

Always the biggest critic of her own play, Jones says she is never satisfied with her performance.

“I always feel like I could have done better. Even if I hit five homeruns in a game, I would have wanted to hit another one,” Jones said.

From her softball beginnings at Evans High School, where Jones was named Most Valuable Offensive Player for softball and also earned perfect attendance over her four years of attending that school, to her first two years at GC&SU, where she was named Second Team All-Region, Jones has always strived to give her all on the softball diamond. This year, Jones says she feels more comfortable at the plate than ever before.

“I just feel like I have more confidence,” Jones said.

Whatever you call it it has been working for Jones so far this season. She is hitting a cool .414, with 10 doubles and 23 RBI, all of which lead her team.

On the defensive side of things, Jones is not doing too shabby either, committing only one error so far this season and boasting a fielding percentage of .991.

Jones says her passion for softball will not end when her playing days are over. A major in Community Health, Jones says she wants to get an assistant coaching job after college graduation and someday, hopefully, a job as a head coach.

For now, though, Heather Jones has her sights set on April 15-17 and the Peachbelt Tournament in Aiken, South Carolina. The team is 9-5 thus far against PBC opponents and look to make a run for the championship.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Apr 8 2005. 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