By By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
WILLIAMSTON — Heather Jackson had a couple of tough choices to make. A star athlete for the Williamston Tigers, the senior had to decide where she wanted to play collegiately. And she had to figure out what sport she wanted to play.
The affable, outgoing Jackson, an outstanding softball and volleyball player for the Tigers, decided to play softball at Pitt Community College. Jackson said she was thrilled to join a strong Bulldogs’ program.
“I’m really excited about it,” said a smiling Jackson, who plans to be a special education elementary teacher. “I didn’t want to go far from home. I knew they had a good school and a good softball program.”
Jackson was joined as the signing, held Friday morning inside the Williamston High School library, by her mother, Donna Bowen, and grandparents, Cubby and Carolyn Arnold.
“My mom has been to all my games,” Jackson said. “She went to all my travel ball tournaments. She’s been there for me and paid for everything. My grandparents helped me go to camps. I’ve had a lot of support from all three of them.”
Jackson said deciding between softball and volleyball wasn’t an easy one. She’s earned numerous accolades in both sports.
“It was a big decision,” said Jackson, who was named to the North Carolina Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association All-State team. “I had to go with my pros and cons. I really had to think about it. My heart is with both softball and volleyball. I just had to make a choice.”
The superb setter for the Tigers was selected as the 2009 WDN co-Player of the Year (along with teammate Katie Paschal). Jackson was a First Team selection to the WDN All-Area team in 2008 and a Second Team member in 2007.
Jackson has been just as effective with a bat and a ball. She was named to the WDN All-Area Second Team following her junior season, after she hit. 316, had an on-base percentage of .443 and led the team with 26 runs scored. Jackson also went 4-1 with a 0.58 ERA on the mound.
Jackson received honorable mention in 2008, after being named to the First Team her freshman season when she hit .378 with 17 runs and 10 RBIs.
PCC coach Junior Bailey is happy Jackson decided to play softball.
“When she came out to our Showcase, she had the talent,” Bailey said. “There was no question whatsoever. The big thing we saw with her is that you could tell her something and she would use it. That’s key at our level. Any kid we bring in has the talent, but you have to be willing to refine that. She seems to be willing to do that.
“We look for her to battle for a middle position spot and maybe some outfield. She has pretty good speed, which is good because a lot of our game is being aggressive on the bases. She has good family support. I’ve known about her for quite a while and I’m glad to have the opportunity to have her come over and play at Pitt.”
Williamston head coach Damon Hayes believes Jackson will fit in nicely with the Bulldogs.
“I’m ecstatic for her,” Hayes said. “It’s so exciting when you see somebody that works so hard and it finally pays off in the end. I’m just so excited for her.
“She’s an athlete and can play anywhere. She can play anywhere on defense, and on offense she’s a battler.”
Jackson said Hayes has played a big role in helping to shape her into a solid player.
“Coach Hayes has been there for me a lot,” Jackson said. “When I came in as a freshman, he expected a lot out of me. He helped me with a lot of my skills to make me better.”
Jackson started playing softball when she was 12. Playing travel ball for the likes of Carolina Diamonds’ coaches Percy Edwards and Ken Andrews played a pivotal role in her development on and off the field.
“I’ve been with them since I was 12 and I’ve become really close with them,” Jackson said. “They’ve been like fathers to me. They don’t look at you just as a softball player. They try to be there for you in a lot of ways. They try to help get coaches to look at you.
“I just appreciate them a lot because they’ve taught me a lot and they’ve worked with me. They always want to make me better.”
Jackson, who had an offer to play softball and volleyball at North Carolina Wesleyan, is hoping to play Division I softball after her two years at Pitt. For now, she’s eager to join the Bulldogs next year.
She’s already familiar with several of the players.
“Some of the girls I played with on travel ball are on the team,” Jackson said. “That helped make my decision. I’ll be comfortable going there because I know a lot of the girls.
“I’m really excited about going to play softball there.”