Jessica Sparks Signs to Play Softball at Jackson College

She knew since she was a little girl that softball was the sport for her and Stockbridge Senior Jessica Sparks made it official Monday, January 27 when she signed to play at Jackson College next season.

Sparks is a four-year varsity player for Stockbridge heading into her final season this spring.

She started playing softball at a very young age and realized when she started playing U-14 travel ball that she loved doing it. “When I started playing travel, I knew I wouldn’t be able to stop and I just kept growing over the years.

Stockbridge varsity coach Don Lockhart saw the growth of Jessica firsthand.

“I have had the honor coaching Jessica since she was eleven years old,” Lockhart said. “She is one of the hardest working girls I have ever coached. Because of her love for the game, she learned every position and played where we needed her. Her hard work and dedication to softball has paid off and Jackson College is blessed to have her.”

Jackson College felt like home and that was a big part of Sparks decision to sign to play there.

“I’ve always had that school in mind,” Sparks said. “When I went on a recruit visit with my coach Jon Gwizdal, he was a week after his torn MCL surgery yet took me on a campus tour on foot, it just showed his dedication and how much he cared.”

Sparks plans on studying cardiac sonography or radiology at Jackson.

Being a four-year player for the Panthers, Sparks has had several memorable moments, but two really stick out for her.

“My freshman year we were playing at the Blissfield tournament, and I was playing the flex position that only plays defense. I was brought into the line-up to bat in a tie game in the last inning and drove in the game winning RBI and we won the tournament,” Sparks said.

High on Sparks list of memories is her first career home run at Dansville during her junior season.

The Stockbridge coaching staff were a big influence on Sparks career.

“The coaches have shown me support every year,” Sparks said. “They made me love the sports even after coming back from a travel season where I almost quit. They were just one text away.”

“The upperclassmen in my freshman and sophomore year were big influences. Thos girls taught me so much and treated me like their little sibling,” Sparks said.

Sparks has one more season left for the Panthers, and she is now the upperclassman and teaching the younger girls.

“I just want them to always know that your dreams are approachable and achievable, work hard for them,” Sparks said. “Also always make sure to have fun and have the mindset of “being a goldfish”.”