Lauren Jorgensen heats up the softball field.
photo by Rebecca Holt
Since the age of four, Junior Lauren Jorgensen has been running the bases, making the plays, and swinging the bats. Today, all of that practice is starting to pay dividends.
The origins of Lauren’s immense skill in softball go back over a decade, initially to when she took up T-Ball. “I started T-Ball when I was about four or five, but I actually joined a softball team in 3rd grade,” said Lauren. “My parents didn’t really give me a choice whether I wanted to begin playing or not. But I think I was still too young to realize that, so I guess it was just that little kid energy of wanting to try something new that motivated me.”
Lauren has played on varsity for the TJ Softball team since her freshman year, originally as a swing player. Since then, Lauren has achieved further accolades, including accompanying the varsity team to the Peach Fuzz Tournament in Grand Junction for the past two years. “I’ve played in at least four of the Babe Ruth All Star tournaments, starting back when I was 10,” reminisced Lauren. “And during the All Star Tournament this past year, I played every game for the entire time, throughout the State and Regional part of the tournament.”
Now beginning her third year on the Spartan Softball team, Lauren has played many positions. “My favorite place to play is 1st base. But I also like catcher and sometimes pitching, depending on whether I’m throwing strikes or not,” said Lauren, who believes that a vast amount of skills are required to be successful in any position on the softball field. “You have to know how to throw with accuracy and strength, how to stop the ball and/or catch it, and you have to know how to track the ball when it’s being pitched so you can make contact. Being a smart base runner is an important thing, too. Your head has to be in the game at all times, because anything can happen,” proclaimed Lauren.
Along with excelling in softball as an individual, Lauren also contributes to her team to a great extent. “More or less, she’s the personality of the team,” said Softball Coach Kyler Jackson. “She’s like another coach on the field. She’s always very positive, and is very upbeat to everyone.”
Lauren also displays grand enthusiasm towards her team. “I don’t look up to any professionals, but I look up to nearly every coach I’ve had in my softball career, and also all of my teammates I have now, and in years past,” said Lauren.
Over her multiple years playing for the Spartan softball team, Lauren admits to a massive improvement in her skill as a player. “Freshman year, I could barely hit anything. But in the past year, I’ve hit two balls over the fence, and my batting average has gone way up,” pronounced Lauren. “I like how my coach has really worked with each player on identifying what their weaknesses are and helping them to fix those.” Last year, Lauren had 29 hits with a season batting average of .439
With perseverance and lofty aspirations, Lauren has displayed both skill and enthusiasm for softball. And with years of building her talent, it is no surprise that she shows immense enjoyment towards her sport. “When you’re involved in a game, it gets really intense, and that’s a cool feeling. I don’t think there is just one thing about it. I mean, yeah on bad days I hate it and want to quit and will go home super frustrated and angry. But when you have a really good day, it’s the exact opposite. You feel unstoppable.”
