Penn State Player of the Week: Jackie Hill, Softball

Jackie Hill has had her share of injuries playing softball at Penn State, but it is between injuries that she has been able to shine.

A season-ending broken hand two starts into her freshman season prevented Hill from showing her ability early on. A stress fracture in her rib during her third season did not.

“Being off a month during (her third season), then coming back and pitching half an hour on Tuesday, half an hour on Thursday, and 14 innings against Iowa and only giving up one run,” said Robin Pentrini, Penn State softball head coach. “(That) is an indicator of what Jackie is about.”

Despite missing a month last year, the now redshirt junior went 13-11 with a 1.27 ERA. Hill has been frustrated by the time missed, but is trying to take a positive approach.

“I had not been a person who got injured,” said Hill. “It has been frustrating wanting to go out there, play and do my best, but I have been inhibited by what is happening to my body.

“I just try to do the best I can with I got.”

Hill is hoping injuries will not prevent her from having a successful season this year. The co-captain is currently 5-2 with a 2.48 ERA.

“How much drive, pain threshold and tolerance she has makes her a great competitor,” said Pentrini. “She is a great athlete and has become a tremendous pitcher.”

Success has come on both side of the field for the All-American. Between pitching starts, Hill has a .310 batting average with 9 RBIs while playing first base.

“It is nice to be able to contribute on both sides,” said Hill. “I think it keeps me in the game by not just playing one side of the field.”

Pitchers hitting on off days is a norm in Pentrini’s system. It is not until recently that Hill has had any trouble doing so.

“Sometimes I get really tired and I am like, ‘Can I have a break coach?’” said Hill. “It is not like we are losing anything if (freshman Kailyn Johnson) starts at first.”

“Lately with her being sore its been a little harder to play both positions,” said sophomore teammate Danee Collett.

Hill has pitched and fielded since high school. She believes one of the biggest challenge she has faced in college has been time management.

“We go to class just like everyone else does,” said Hill. “The schedule gets really intense because we are always going to warmer climates to play.”

“We go out to the west coast for a weekend, get back around 4 o’clock, and go to class a couple hours later.”

Through preseason preparation Hill has learned to deal with this stress. This ability to adjust is what Collett believes has allowed Hill to become a successful leader.

“What I have always admired is no matter what happened last pitch or last at bat shes always been able to focus on the current play,” said Collett. “She wants the best from herself and she wants the same from everyone else.”

“She has always been that leader. She just remained that person (over the years).”

Hill is coming off a 6 inning 2 earned run loss pitching against East Carolina, but is confident about Nittany Lions (9-5) season.

“Our strength of schedule is not as good as it was last year,” said Hill. “But there are definitely (good) vibes.”

“We all want to be here, we like playing with each other, and we just want to go out there, play every day and do the best we can.”