The Daily from Ball State Unified Media
SPORTS

SOFTBALL: Ball State’s Jennifer Gilbert continues growth on and off the field

Her softball career has bridged the gap between a Texas high school, the Canadian National Softball Team and Ball State.

Senior outfielder Jennifer Gilbert has grown at every level of her career, which she credits to a team-oriented mindset. Though she was only one game away from breaking the 17th and 18th records of her career, Gilbert said she keeps her focus on being a good teammate.

“I’m just trying to play my game and get good, timely hits,” Gilbert said. “I want to fill whatever role presents itself for the team.”

Gilbert said she believes in a process-oriented philosophy rather than a result-oriented philosophy. She said focusing on how to reach both individual and team goals pushes her to be the best player she can be.

“She’s very into doing the right thing and being the best teammate she can be,” head coach Tyra Perry said. “She is very committed to everything she does for the team.”

A national player

Born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in Canada, Gilbert dreamed of playing softball for the Canadian National Softball Team as a little girl. After moving and playing softball at McKinney High School in Texas, her dreams of playing at the next level came true.

Gilbert was selected in 2009 for the Canadian Women’s U16 National Team. She tallied at least one hit in all eight games she played, but that was just the beginning.

As her college search began, Gilbert emailed every Division I school in the United States. Ball State’s successful softball program, led by Canadian coach Craig Nicholson, stood out to Gilbert.

“I loved that Ball State had a good exercise science program,” she said. “I liked the girls and fell in love with the campus.”

From Canadian to Cardinal

Gilbert started every game her freshman season — 55 as designated hitter and three in left field. She went on to break single-season records for RBIs with 63 and home runs with 15.

She was named to the Mid-American Conference All-Freshman Team following the season’s end. Despite a disparity in level of competition, Gilbert said she continues to use her time at Ball State to prepare for international play.

“The national team is a higher level than college, and I see better pitching speed wise and in movement,” Gilbert said. “Even though I’m not playing against the same quality of talent in college, I still feel I am prepared for the national team.”

She didn’t slow down in her next two seasons with Ball State. Committing only three errors as a sophomore and two as a junior, Gilbert earned back-to-back MAC Player of the Year honors.

“[Gilbert’s)] talent level is definitely high but what makes her who she is is that she really works hard,” Perry said. “If I had 20 players on the roster like Jenny, I would be the luckiest [coach] in the world.”

Gilbert has broken MAC records for home runs with 58 and runs scored with 168. Gilbert aspires to continue playing softball after college with the Canadian National Team and eventually coach at the college level.

Off the field

Her contributions go beyond the softball diamond.

Gilbert volunteers at the YMCA of Muncie and also gives hitting lessons to young softball players. Gilbert said working in the community makes her feel rewarded in a way that even a broken softball record can’t match.

“I try, as busy as I am playing softball, to volunteer and give back when I can,” she said. “I want to inspire the young girls who are just starting softball to continue and grow to love it as much as I do.”

Gilbert continues to reach goals and set the tone for the season. Perry said the team has potential to move past a MAC Championship behind Gilbert’s peaking ability.

“She’s got that solid mindset of a champion,” Perry said. “She knows she can compete with anyone, any time, in any place.”

Read More

More from The Daily

Most Popular

Sponsored Stories

More from our partners
Loading Recent Classifieds...