Earlier this summer I saw the Gold Coast Hurricanes play and the talk around the team was around a sunglasses-wearing pitcher and why she was still on the market.

She certainly had the talent to play major college ball, it just hadn’t happened at that time; well, good things come to those who wait because this Florida standout is now headed to the ACC.

Here’s more…

 

Name: JENNA GOODRICH
Grad Year: 2015
Pos: pitcher
High School: American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.)
GPA/SAT or ACT (optional):
Club:  Gold Coast Hurricanes                                                                                       
Stats: high school 2014: 27 wins with a 0.77 ERA and 233 K’s in 192 innings pitched; .304 batting average with 31 RBI and four home runs.
Honors: winning pitcher in the 5A state championship game; also went 2-for-4 with an RBI.                       
College: Georgia Tech
 

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StudentSportsSoftball.com: Congrats on your commitment to Tech, being a 2015 were you getting nervous that maybe there weren’t many spots left?
Jenna Goodrich: I was talking to a few schools but I was definitely getting nervous especially since the recruiting process is starting so early now. The 2015 class for a lot of schools has been done for almost a year now, but I knew I would find the right fit.

 

SSS.com:  You’re a good role model in the old cliché, “Good things come to those that wait (although maybe not on purpose sometimes)!” What advice would you give to other ’15’s who are still looking or available?
JG: My advice would be for girls to just keep having fun playing. It’s very stressful to think that each performance must be flawless especially when coaches are around, but having fun doing what you love is the most important thing. Keep calling and emailing and take advantage of any opportunity to play in front of coaches. You never know who’s watching.

 

SSS.com: How did the Georgia Tech coaches discover you and how long did they recruit you until they offered?
JG: The first time that Georgia Tech watched me play was this past summer at the Newtown Rock Showcase (June 25th-27th) in Ewing, NJ. We communicated throughout the rest of the summer and the first offer came on July 20th.

 

SSS.com: When did you decide to commit and what led into the decision?
JG: I decided to commit to Georgia Tech on August 5th. What led me to this decision was how Coach Hoerner and Coach Jury really made me feel like a part of their family. They wanted me at their school and it just felt right when I stepped on campus on my unofficial.

SSS.com: Describe your emotions around telling them, it had to be one of the most thrilling moments of your life! Was family around?  Where were you and what was it you said?
JG: I had so many mixed emotions. Some of the most obvious ones were excited, relieved, nervous, and loved. It was a moment that I will never forget. My mom and dad were with me in the living room of my house after we got home from dinner. After I constantly was thanking Coach Hoerner for everything she had done for me for a few minutes, I said that I would like to commit to Georgia Tech if it was OK with her. Thank goodness she said yes!

SSS.com: How many hours away will you be from home will be?  Was distance a factor in your decision at all?
JG: I will be about 12 hours away from home. Distance was a factor in my decision but not in the way people usually think of it. I wanted to go away from home because I feel that it is necessary to learn and grow up and become and independent woman. To not rely on someone who has been there for you for 18 years of your life is hard, but it’s a journey and experience that I find imperative.

 

SSS.com:  You have an awesome change-up that we saw a lot over the summer… was that what won your place at Tech or was it other factors?
JG: That was a major factor in my recruiting in general. Any school that contacted me knew that it was a major strength of mine, but also the fact that I keep the ball down when I pitch as well. I keep the ball in the park and get a lot of pop-ups and groundballs to let my defense work behind me. I rely on them as much as they rely on me.

 

SSS.com: Without being too technical, tell us what makes your change-up so devastating to hitters even if they’re looking for it!
JG: I think the fact that I can throw it in any count and I can locate it well. It may not strike batters out all of the time, but they are thrown off just enough that it becomes a miss-hit and a ball that my defense can make a play off of.

Quick Hitters

 

What do you want to major in at Georgia Tech?
I would like to major in business and communications.

Fill in the blank… When I committed it was like:
… eating my first Oreo after I was on a prom diet for two months!

What is the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you or someone else you’ve seen on the field?
When I was playing in 12s I was on the mound ready to pitch and the umpire behind the plate didn’t have a mask on. He was a little old and couldn’t understand that I wouldn’t pitch even when he said, “Play ball” because we were all trying to get him to put his mask on.

Favorite part of summer:
Traveling with my mom to California.

The thing I’m most looking forward to being back in school is:
Having the privilege as a senior to go off campus for lunch.

Favorite hobby:
Creating picture edits and photographing other friends play their sports.

What’s your dream vacation?
To go to Australia.

How do you let an umpire know you weren’t happy with the call?
I ask what was wrong with the pitch.

What’s your favorite joke (clean please!)?
What do you call an alligator in a vest?

What’s something unusual or different about you that few know?
My right foot is a whole size bigger than my left.

How would you describe your personality on and off the field?
On the field, I would consider myself to be very serious and focused. I have fun but losing is not fun, therefore winning is a must! Off of the field I am very outgoing, and am very determined and organized in everything that I do.

If you were stranded on a desert island and could only take one thing with you, what would it be?
I would bring a boat!

Do you have any softball rituals or superstitions?
My hair is always in a braid, wear a headband, and I always wear sunglasses.