POULSBO — After years of knocking them out of the park for North Kitsap, Jordan Jewett will lend her talents to the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where she will take to the softball diamond for the Spartans.
While Jewett may be small in stature compared to other players —she stands 5 feet, 2 inches — this petite competitor packs a powerful punch. In her junior season she compiled a sizzling hot .520 batting average and pounded out 26 hits from her leadoff position in the lineup.
Vikings softball coach Bill Hobaugh said he wasn’t surprised Jewett’s talents paved the way for her college career.
“She’s just this tiny little girl, but she’s so unbelievably strong,” he said. “We haven’t had too many girls who have played Division 1 softball, but she’s one of them.”
Hobaugh said even though Jewett is head and shoulders above the competition talent wise, she remains modest, which translates into success on the field.
“Jordan doesn’t go outside of herself,” he said. “She’s a quiet and reserved person. Not too many people even know she’s going to play softball in college. She’s never been a person who brags.”
While Jewett may be mild mannered off the field, she possesses an evident competitive streak when she takes the field.
“Jordan doesn’t back down to anybody,” he said. “Her confidence has helped make her the player she is today. That’s probably her best strength. She’s very determined. You can see it in her eyes.”
Jewett said committing to a college to play softball has been something she’s been working at for the better part of a decade.
“I’ve played select ball since I was 10, working my way to get to college,” she said. “It hasn’t really dawned on me that I will be playing D-1 softball until now. It feels like a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders.”
When asked about how she will handle the transition to Division 1 softball, she showed her competitive colors.
“I don’t think size matters,” she said. “It all depends on how hard you’re willing to work. I’m going to work my hardest.”
North’s centerfielder hopes to push for playing time when she dons a Spartans uniform in spring 2009.
“This year, they have three outfielders who are seniors,” she said. “I hope I have a chance to work my way into a starting spot my freshman year.”
Jewett said her dream of playing softball in college couldn’t have come true without the help of the following coaches: Tim Mason, Dan Weedin, Frank Mathenson, Joe Schiel, Frank Sanano, Cassie Butler, Sherle Case, Dan Kolda, Mike Lybrand, Bill Hobaugh and Wayne Miller.
UNC is a Division 1 school and competes in the Southern Conference against the likes of Appalachian State University, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and Western Carolina University.
