Episcopal School of Jacksonville Softball Player Grace Jones Voted ITG Next Florida Female Athlete of the Month for March 2023
After a strong start to the 2023 spring season, Episcopal School of Jacksonville softball player Grace Jones has been voted the ITG Next Florida March 2023 Female Athlete of the Month. A junior, Jones received an overwhelming 99.40 percent of the possible votes as a result of her on-field play during February.
It’s hard to imagine a better start to a season than what Jones, a Mercer commit, has done on the field for the Eagles. During a span in which the Eagles went 4-0, Jones went 9-for-14 with 5 RBI and 2 home runs, along with a pair of doubles and triples. Jones also scored 7 runs through and stole 4 bases in those four games.
While her offensive numbers certainly were impressive, Jones arguably shone most as a pitcher, not allowing a single earned run in any of the four games. In 26 IP, she went 4-0 while allowing only 8 hits and 7 walks, and striking out 68.
“She’s one of our captains,” Episcopal School of Jacksonville softball head coach Kasse Eppley said. “She’s been in the program and a varsity player since she walked on campus in seventh grade, and has been a starter. She’s a worker.
“It’s tough to pitch well, but she does it on both sides of the diamond, offensive and defensive,” Eppley added. “She’s made a huge impact offensively and defensively, which isn’t easy to do, because you’re putting a lot of hours in to be that successful on both sides.”
As you might expect with that kind of start to the season, Jones has continued her strong play into the second half of March.
In nine games this season, Jones is slashing .667/.703/1.272 and owns a phenomenal 1.976 OPS. She also has 10 RBI with 3 HR and 4 SB, along with 17 runs scored, 4 triples, and 3 doubles.
As a pitcher, Jones has thrown 60 IP, a span in which she owns an 8-1 record with a phenomenal 0.58 ERA and 137:18 K:BB ratio.
“She’s just a competitor,” Eppley said. “She loves to compete. Some kids shy away from it; she loves the competition and thrives in it. She’s always done well under pressure situations, and she’s always been able to handle that and do well. I feel like she has a gift for that.”
As the Eagles continue their impressive start to the year, there is no doubt that all eyes will be on Jones to continue her stellar play as we approach April. Based on her start to the year so far, she hasn’t showed signs of slowing down offensively, or in the circle, either.
Congratulations to Episcopal School of Jacksonville softball player Grace Jones, the ITG Next Florida March 2023 Female Athlete of the Month.
