Addison Jackson has proven to be one of softball’s best rising stars
SAINT AMANT, La. (BVM) — For the last four seasons, the St. Amant Lady Gators softball team has been one of the best teams in Class 5A. With two state titles in the last four years, it’s hard for anyone to dispute that. But at the forefront of this dominating run is junior pitcher Addison Jackson.
Those around her knew Jackson could be a special player from the jump, especially St. Amant head softball coach Amy Pitre, who has coached softball for 17 years.
“She came in here and started as a freshman,” Pitre said. “Which is almost unheard of at this place because we’ve had a lot of great softball players around here. [She] just got better and better every year.”
In fact, Jackson impressed Pitre so much that she was put in the leadoff spot to provide a spark. For a freshman, it could’ve been a daunting task. Especially for a team that had just won a state title. Nevertheless, she was able to do that by hitting six home runs. Unfortunately, her freshman year would be cut short due to COVID-19.
Following her freshman year, Jackson would take her game to new heights. The 15 home runs and .476 batting average proved that. But Jackson also became a fearful sight for batters when she took to the circle and racked up 253 strikeouts.
“I always wanted to be in control of the game,” Jackson said. “I knew what I was capable of [and] if I really worked hard and [I could] lead a team from the circle.”
Jackson was recognized for her talent, alongside her teammate Julia Kramer. Both were named District 5-5A Co-MVP. Along with that, Jackson took home the Ascension Parish Pitcher of the Year Award.
Great weekend for Julia kramer and Addison Jackson!🐊💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/nzW6hs8Ofv
— St. Amant Softball (@_STAsoftball) March 1, 2020
The Lady Gators lost in the quarterfinals, but Jackson made it her mission to get back to the state championship. She’d do just that en route to a historic junior season.
Jackson would make history by breaking St. Amant’s single-season home run record. It was previously held by current LSU star Taylor Tidwell who hit 17. Jackson hit her 18th home run during the last weekend of March. Along with the single-season record, that home run was Jackon’s 39th career home run, which tied the school record for most career home runs. She has since become the sole owner of both of those records.
Still, a handful of records will not satisfy a player like Jackson. Only a championship can do that. And the Lady Gators captured the title in one of the most dominating ways possible. The team scored 54 runs and only gave up three. Jackson also pitched a perfect game, and the Lady Gators forced a run-rule in the championship game.
It only took 57 pitches & 5 innings to:
Hit a 2 run 💣
Hit a 2B
Pitch a perfect game
Earn Most Outstanding Player
Win LA 5A State Championship
🐊🥎🏆@FloSoftball @Softball_La @BC_Softball @GeauxPrepsLA @MaxPreps @Louisiana5A @LSL_Sportsline @ExtraInningSB @TGA_Turner pic.twitter.com/RxaaUXFEem— Addison Jackson “AJ” #23 (@ABJ_2023) May 2, 2022
“The ultimate goal is to win another state championship,” Jackson said. “But you [also] have to have little goals in between. That’s growing and getting better every single day and coming to practice. Every single player has to give 100% every day and that’s how we’re going to win another title.”
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Jackson is one of those players that will give the 100% that’s needed. Coach Pitre has seen it every day.
“She’s definitely one of the best [players I’ve coached],” Pitre said. “I’ve had some special ones and some really good ones, but what makes her different from the really players in the past is that if she didn’t throw one pitch this season, she would be the best hitter in the state. If she didn’t swing the bat one time, she would be the best pitcher in the state. I have that in one player. It’s just impressive, and that’s what separates her from any other player I’ve ever coached.”
My pitching stats over 31-2 @_STAsoftball State Championship season. Bring on 2023! 🐊🥎🏆@Softball_La @GeauxPrepsLA @Louisiana5A @kyleR_sports @Los_Stuff .@MaxPreps @TGA_Turner @StriveSoftball @IHartFastpitch @CoachKvilhaug @BC_Softball @pitrea09 @ExtraInningSB @AleeexIbarra pic.twitter.com/n1ZWrQk6XM
— Addison Jackson “AJ” #23 (@ABJ_2023) May 9, 2022
Along with a state title and more awards, Jackson also drew interest from a lot of college programs. But there was that stood out among the rest. That was Boston College.
“Education first off; that was a big thing to me,” Jackson said. “I knew I wanted to go to medical school, and I knew that would be a great place for me to get that started. They [also] had a new coach who just came in, and I really like the coaches, and I really connected with them. I [also] love the campus; it was beautiful. [And] I always wanted to be at a Power 5 school.”
Jackson has one year left with the Lady Gators before playing for the Eagles. There is a lot of success coming her way. And wherever the game takes her, Jackson is sure to have a prosperous career. But for now, Jackson is going to continue to play the game she loves and will continue to prove to Boston College softball fans that she is one of softball’s top rising stars.
My hitting stats over 31-2 @_STAsoftball State Championship season. Bring on 2023! 🐊🥎🏆@Softball_La @GeauxPrepsLA @Louisiana5A @kyleR_sports @Los_Stuff .@MaxPreps @TGA_Turner @StriveSoftball @IHartFastpitch @CoachKvilhaug @BC_Softball @pitrea09 @ExtraInningSB @AleeexIbarra pic.twitter.com/uKnlJOrtX4
— Addison Jackson “AJ” #23 (@ABJ_2023) May 7, 2022
💛❤️🦅GO EAGLES🦅❤️💛
.@BC_Softball @CoachKvilhaug @oliviaadyan @BCEaglesSports@nxtlvl101 #tgf @TGA_Turner @topgunfastpitch @ExtraInningSB @FloSoftball @Softball_La @AscCages @IHartFastpitch @AleeexIbarra pic.twitter.com/zuKbg7oBE5
— Addison Jackson “AJ” #23 (@ABJ_2023) November 4, 2021
“I [definitely find that drive] within myself,” Jackson said. “If I didn’t have that drive it [nothing] would matter. If I wasn’t passionate about it I wouldn’t be happy doing it and I wouldn’t want to get better. But it’s something that I really find the most joy in. I find a purpose in it and it gives me something to look forward to every day.”
