by Erin Stilton
VIERA, FL-Jessie Warren, who made one of the most memorable plays in collegiate softball history
Warren, playing third base, made that diving catch and double play that led her FSU Seminoles to a game one World Series victory against Washington.
On Friday night, she hit two home runs for the USSSA Pride National Professional, her first as a professional softball player.
Her USSSA Pride team played a double header against the Beijing Shougang Eagles. She had a home runs in both games.
In game two, the crowd at Space Coast Stadium went silent after Warren fouled a pitch off her bat, hitting her in the face.
After a few tense minutes, Warren, known for her grit and toughness as a collegiate softball player got right up and hit the next pitch deep over the left-centerfield wall.
After the game, Warren said her professional jitters are now a thing of the past.
“It felt good, because coming into professional softball because I was a little nervous about what I was going to see pitching wise,” she said. “I’m kinda settled down now and I’m more comfortable at the plate…I’m seeing the ball very well.”
Despite taking a shot to the face, she was able to pick herself up, get back in the batter’s box and hit her second home run of the night. Although she was a little shaken up, Warren said her mindset going into the next pitch was no different than the previous one.
“I had the same approach,” she said about getting back in the box. “I was sticking to my plan. I wasn’t worried about getting hit in the face. I was just trying to do something for my team.”
Warren was crowned the 2018 College World Series Most Outstanding Player. She hit .404with 21 home runs and 70 rbi for the FSU Seminoles this year before signing a two year deal with the USSSA Pride.
Photos by Erin Stilton. Erin Stilton is a Freshman varsity softball player at Jackson Liberty High School. Jackson, NJ. She batted .356 in her first year, leading her team in doubles. She plays travel softball for the Jersey Assassins. Follow Erin’s softball interviews and commentary on Twitter.