Long before she became one of the best defensive players for the defending national champion Oklahoma University softball team, Jessica Vest was playing baseball in Hollister’s Little League division.
In fact, for a short period, she was juggling both baseball and softball at the same time.
“One of my first (playing) memories was pitching in a Little League game at Veteran’s Park,” she said. “Then I had to rush over to the bathroom and change to play in a Hollister Heat (softball) game.”
The 5-foot-4 Vest, a junior utility, is living out a dream—going on three years now—ever since she arrived on the OU campus three years ago. The Sooners (48-10) host Tennessee in a Super Regional this weekend, with the winner advancing to the Women’s College World Series.
OU, winners of 15 straight, is appearing in a Super Regional for the fifth consecutive year.
“It’s really exciting to be able to face Tennessee because this was the (WCWS championship) game last year,” Vest said. “We know Tennessee is a great team, but we’re confident we’re going to win.”
Vest, who has played shortstop for most of her college career but also some outfield, is a defensive whiz, possessing tremendous instincts and range. Although Vest’s fielding percentage has gone up every year—it’s .969 this season—she’s struggled offensively after enjoying a breakout season as a sophomore.
“I haven’t had the greatest year with the bat, but with every opportunity I’m going to try to make the best of them,” said Vest, whose average was .224 through 49 games this season after she hit .276 last year.
Vest happens to be a standout both on and off the field; recently she was selected to the Capital One Academic All-District 7 Softball Team for the second year in a row.
Vest, a multi-disciplinary studies major, carried a 4.0 GPA during her sophomore year.
Vest takes equal pride in her achievements in the classroom and on the field.
“I think school and sports feed off each other, and each side has given me the opportunity to excel,” she said.
Vest grew up watching the WCWS with her father, dreaming one day she would be playing in college softball’s premier event.
“Softball was a passion of mine ever since I was a little kid,” she said. “I always dreamed of playing at this level. We used to always wait for this time of the year to watch this event. This is still my favorite time of the year, when you see all of the best teams battle it out for the national championship.”
Vest credits her parents, Ken and Wendy, for allowing her to develop character and discipline through the rigors of school and sports.
“My parents were the ideal sports fans, and they encouraged me to make school a priority as well,” she said. “They were perfect in their support in anything I’ve ever wanted to do. One of them was at every one of my games, and I couldn’t have asked for anything more from them.”
When the Sooners won the national title a year ago, it proved to be a respite for the town of Moore, Okla., which was struck by a two mile wide tornado on May 20, killing 24 people and injuring 377 others.
Moore is 10 miles away from OU’s campus in Norman. Oklahoma City, the annual site of the WCWS, is just 11 miles away from Moore.
“It was certainly a blessing and a calling to be able to play for the fans and for the people of Oklahoma having trouble with the devastation last year,” Vest said. “I love it here, because you’ve got great support coming from great people.”
