Female Athlete of the Week
North Fort Myers junior Jackie Owen hasn’t forgotten her first experience as a softball pitcher. She was 7 years old and playing at the minor level when her coach called her in from the outfield to the mound.
“I tried, and of course, I threw ball, after ball, after ball. I couldn’t get one strike,” she said.
Not only does Owen remember the struggles that day, she also remembers the umpire.
“Three years later, I remember that same umpire going strike, strike, strike,” she said. “I was like ‘Wow I’m making progress.’ That’s when it first hit me.”
The Daily Breeze Female Athlete of the Week has remained dedicated ever since and it has led to more progress.
Owen came out strong last week, leading the Red Knights in a 16-0 season-opening victory over South Fort Myers plus a 4-0 victory over Bishop Verot.
Owen pitched a total of 10 shutout innings, including a complete-game against Verot. She allowed two hits and struck out 17 batters.
“She’s worked hard in the offseason as far as travel ball,” North coach Jeff Miner said. “She’s developed more pitches and has more control of her pitches, so she’s getting ahead of hitters more than she did last year.”
Last season, Owen emerged as the Red Knights’ ace, posting a 15-6 record with 174 strikeouts. Still, she hopes to improve on that this season.
One reason, the area is filled with top pitchers and the Red Knights face several of them on their schedule, placing an emphasis on strong pitching, defense, and timely hitting.
The Red Knights supported Owen’s strong start in their victory over Verot, which features a strong pitcher in senior Hailey Barraco.
Owen, though, said she doesn’t approach the game any differently based on the opposing pitcher.
“I go in there thinking it’s Naples all the time,” Owen said, referring to last year’s Class 4A state champions. “I go in there against every batter and think you have to get this batter. This one or that’s it.”
Honorable mentions:
Katie Rieser, sophomore, Ida Baker softball: Rieser went 4-for-4 in a 24-5 season-opening win over Mariner last Wednesday. She struck out nine, surrendering three unearned runs, in a 3-0 loss to Riverdale Friday.
Samantha Rapp, sophomore, Mariner softball: Rapp came through with a clutch two-run double in the seventh inning, leading to a 9-8 victory over Gulf Coast last Thursday.