Hannah Whelan
\nIn Motion Staff Writer<\/p>\n
Daytona State\u2019s sports programs are making an impression again. Canadian native Jesse Goddard was awarded the National Junior College Athletic Association\u2019s National Pitcher of the Week Feb. 23. The Coach\u2019s Poll, also conducted by the NJCAA, ranked Daytona State at number six. The team is currently 14-2.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith Jessie coming in as a freshman, she is motivated to be the best pitcher she can be and she is determined to win,\u201d said second baseman Mackie Chandler.<\/p>\n
In Goddard’s freshman year, she is being recognized for her performances against South Florida State and St. Petersburg. On Feb. 16, she pitched a complete game, three-hit shutout in a 1-0 win against South Florida State. Later in the week, she allowed only three hits and one run over six innings in her team\u2019s 7-1 victory against St. Petersburg. In her 13 innings of work, she’s allowed six hits, one run, four walks and struck out 13. Goddard added\u00a0to the scoreboard for the Lady Falcons hitting a home run against St. Petersburg as well.<\/p>\n
Goddard attributes her success to her confidence in knowing that she had a job to do and that she had to do it well. She also follows a strict training regimen five days a week, including weightlifting, conditioning and games. A pre-game ritual for Goddard includes having a five-minute pep talk with herself, where she talks about her success, the job she has to do and the success she wants for her team.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve only been here with the team for around three months, but they\u2019ve all been very confident in me and helped me adjust to being so far away from home,\u201d said Goddard.<\/p>\n
One of Goddard\u2019s role models that keeps her mind on track is her former pitching coach from back home, Texas A&M alum Danielle Ashworth.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s been in my life since I was 10 years old and I\u2019m turning 19 this July,\u201d Goddard said.<\/p>\n
After her years at Daytona State, Goddard plans on moving back home to Vancouver, British Columbia in Canada, and will continue to play ball and attain her master’s degree in psychology.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Hannah Whelan In Motion Staff Writer Daytona State\u2019s sports programs are making an impression again. Canadian native Jesse Goddard was awarded the National Junior College Athletic Association\u2019s National Pitcher of the Week Feb. 23. The Coach\u2019s Poll, also conducted by the NJCAA, ranked Daytona State at number six. The team Continue reading Canada native makes waves with fast pitch<\/span>