TOWSON, Md. – Although there's no photographic proof, Towson University senior
Jessica South believes she's been around softball her entire life -- literally.
"I think I went to my first softball game when I was three-days old," South said earlier this week while laughing at the memory. "My dad played softball so I've always been around the sport. I wanted to do everything he did and I played every sport under the sun. Being the oldest, I wanted to be like him and as good, if not better."
The debate on who the better player is between South and her father, Stefan, hasn't been solved. However, there's one thing that can't be disputed: The affable South is a first-class individual with a sparkling spirit who is a terrific teammate. South's contributions to the Tigers go beyond the stat sheet.
She's led with her great attitude, strong work-ethic, and her base-running. South is one of the Tigers' designated base-running specialists. Her fleet feet as well as her as muscle memory will serve Towson well as it begins the home stretch of critical Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) contests beginning this weekend against Drexel at the Tiger Softball Stadium.
Towson (20-22 overall, 3-8 CAA) and Drexel (12-24, 1-11) will play a doubleheader Friday at 3 p.m. and conclude the series with a single-game on Saturday at 12 p.m. Trailing fifth-place College of Charleston by two games in the conference standings, these games are crucial for the Tigers to keep their playoff hopes alive. Elsewhere this weekend, Elon visits Hofstra, UNCW travels to James Madison and Delaware plays at Charleston.
As a freshman, South remembers what happened after a rough stretch that included being swept James Madison at the start of the conference play and the Charleston at the end of the season.
"We ended up advancing to the championship game that year," South said. "So we know it can be done. We have to keep pushing because we know we have it in us as a team. It's not over until it's over. That experience is always in the back of our minds because it was an exciting year. At the same time, we have to focus on now because talking about the past isn't going to take us where we need to go as a team this year or in years to come."
South has made the most of her experience at Towson, a place she ended up only after her parents forced her to drive around campus during a visit. It's one of a handful of wonderful decisions South has made during the last four years. Her biggest and best choice was finally deciding on majoring in elementary education. South is student teaching fourth graders at Chapel Hill Elementary School.
"I love it," South said of her major and student-teaching. "I changed my major like 5 times in the first semester. (Teaching is) so much fun. I don't know who learns more -- me or the students. I love the feeling of knowing that I am helping the students grow individually and academically. When they perk up with the correct answer or right concept, that's the best feeling ever. It's funny because I remembered saying that I will never be a teacher and I could never do this even though I always loved kids."
She has also loved softball and her time at Towson. South remembers playing organized softball when she was 6 years old for the Manassas Blaze in Virginia. A huge Washington Nationals fan, South started out as a pitcher before eventually becoming an infield specialist and a base-running expert. South played for the Vienna Stars throughout her high school career.
She made an immediate impact as a freshman, appearing in 49 games and making 46 starts. South hit five homers, drove in 19 runs and scored 24 runs. In addition to her eight doubles, South also had 10 multi-hit games. She also hit a pair of homers during the CAA tournament. Last season, South had a .429 batting average and scored seven runs.
Some people think it's easy to just go out and run the bases, but South has to remain mentally sharp, focused, and into the game just like she's getting three to four at-bats because she knows her number could be called at any moment.
"It's hard sometimes," South said of her role. "I have to make sure I am focused on every pitch and cheering for my teammates. Things like that keep me into the game so that I am ready whenever my name is called. The more I am talking about the game, the more I am in the game. I feel more pressure when I am running for somebody else. I feel like I have to be on my game more. You definitely have to make sure you're aware of the situation and know what you to before it happens."
South isn't sure how she'll react once the season officially ends for the Tigers. It's a good thing she'll be busy for a while planning her April 2018 wedding with her fiancé Matt. South spends additional free time watching Netflix, going line-dancing, and swimming. Aside from her father and fiancé, South's support system includes her mom, Amy, and younger brother, Andrew.
"My career here at Towson has gone by so much faster than I expected it to," South said. "It's been an adventure and a fun experience. There's a lot of mixed emotions. It's been such an amazing and hectic four years. Part of me knows I will miss softball. I haven't thought about yet. Fortunately, we still have some business to focus on. Our goal is to take every game and every pitch and put everything we have into it."
A LOOK AT DREXEL: The Dragons have been led this season by the tandem of Linda Rush (.412 batting average) and Savanna Johnson (.404). Rush, who hit two homers in a 10-8 loss to La Salle Wednesday, is one of the top players in the CAA. She has 10 homers, 12 doubles and 40 RBIs, all team bests. Janelle Ladrido boasts a .329 batting average for Drexel, which is hitting .273 as a team. Tara Konopka leads the Dragons with six wins in the circle and a 4.37 earned run average.
UP NEXT: Towson finishes its nine-game homestand when it hosts Delaware State Tuesday afternoon in a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m.
