Marston's baseball past helps softball future

She earned honors in both baseball and softball in high school.

By Zach Mink

Published May 7, 2010

Freshman shortstop Jenna Marston had tremendous success in her first year with the Missouri women's softball team. But at Principia High School in St. Louis, many of her teammates know her for her prowess on the baseball field.

Marston played both baseball and softball for the Principia Panthers, earning All-State honors in both sports. Playing baseball had its benefits for the freshman, both in her physical game as well as in the mentality in softball. Coach Ehren Earleywine said playing against men in high school contributed to Marston's abilities on the field with the Tigers.

"When you see guys move a certain way you start to mimic and emulate that, which is part of the reason she plays like she does," Earleywine said. "There's a toughness about guy players that is contagious and infectious, and I think being around that makes her more resilient to failure."

Marston attributes her deep roots in sports to her father and brother. Her brother is a senior pitcher at Drury University, and Marston said growing up with him influenced her to become the athlete she is today.

"Growing up I wanted to be just like my brother, so anything he did I had to do," Marston said. "That forced me to become stronger and try to compete with guys. I would try to beat him at everything, but that didn't always turn out well for me."

The Tiger shortstop takes her competitiveness and love of the game off the field as well. Along with her roommate, who happens to be freshman third baseman Nicole Hudson, Marston brings the aggressive nature she displays on the field into her dorm room.

"We compete all the time," Marston said. "We're both really competitive, and we are always playing basketball in the room or playing darts on the board we made on our mirror. We try to make a game out of anything."

Although Hudson enjoys rooming with the fellow freshman, she gets annoyed with the attention Marston gives to her softball glove.

"She is in love with her glove, and it drives me crazy," said Hudson. "She treats it better then she treats other people. When she first got it she would bring it to the room and it would sit by her head while she slept. It's definitely her most prized possession."

With the success Marston has had this season, her future looks very bright. Earleywine said Marston could have a future in softball past her time with the Tigers.

"I think J.J. can play for the Women's National Team eventually," Earleywine said. "The development part is up to her, but I think she can be as good as any player who has played the game. She has a tremendous arm, runs well, doesn't strike out, hits the ball for average and will eventually hit for power, and she's as close to a five-tool player as you're going to find."

Only time will tell where the future will take this promising freshman. But Marston isn't making any decisions yet.

"I haven't even picked a major," said Marston. "So I don't really know what I want to do with my life."

The Tigers will try to end their season on a high note as they square off against the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Saturday.