The transition from high school to college sports is a tough one for any athlete, but softball slugger Jenny Harsey '01 bit into the challenge this year the same way she attacks offerings from opposing pitchers at the plate, with no fear.
The freshman from Aurora, Ohio, had a sizable impact on the league this year as she gained second-team All-Ivy honors for her inaugural performance. The biggest impression Harsey left at the end of the season was on her team, however, and she was picked as the squad's MVP for her contributions.
On a team with a talented group of rookies and a core of experienced veterans, Harsey especially stood out at the plate. She led the Big Green bats with a .306 batting average and a .427 slugging percentage. In her 124 at bats, Harsey had 38 hits, five triples, 10 extra base hits and scored 22 runs, all team leading numbers.
Harsey also notched 11 RBIs and five doubles, and started all 39 of the team's games.
"Jenny's hitting was a major part of our team attack, and it was definitely an asset to our team this year," said team co-Captain Bess Tortolani '98. "When she was not getting triples she was getting key hits."
Harsey's experience on the field before she came to Dartmouth was a large part of the reason for her success. She competed for her high school team in the spring and then played for an AFA squad in the summer that traveled to the national championships in the 19-and-Under division, where she faced highly skilled competition.
"Some of the girls were already in college because of the age overlap," said Harsey. "I think because my summer softball experience was highly competitive, it was how I took college ball to be. I think that's what helped me to acclimate myself to playing here."
Harsey undoubtedly faced a challenge this season, stepping in to start as the team's leadoff hitter and shortstop. Batting first, Harsey had to face each pitcher before any of her teammates did, and in the field she covered territory at one of the game's toughest positions, but she had the full confidence of her teammates.
"We could always count on Harsey to come through with a key hit in a tight game and we were always confident when she was at short stop, knowing that anything hit to the left side was within her range," Carrie Sekela '01 said.
Though only a freshman, Harsey was a leader on the team more then just statistically. She was also counted on to keep the squad loose and to produce smiles in tight situations.
"Harsey always has a story. We're not always sure how that story really applies, but we always get a laugh regardless. She is such a comedian, and always wears a huge smile," Katherine Winter '00 said.
Tortolani complimented Harsey's approach to the game as well as her light-hearted personality.
"Jenny has an unrelentless positive attitude. As a freshman she helped lead our team because of her genuine love for playing softball. Even when she was not hitting well, or after she made an error, Jenny would be able to look at you and smile, joke around or offer advice or just a bit of confidence."
Head Coach Steffany Bender agreed with her captain.
"Jenny is the kind of player every team needs," Bender said. "She obviously loves to play, and that feeling comes through and drives the team in a positive direction. She keeps her teammates smiling and loose, but always striving to do their best. Her attitude was definitely an asset to the team this spring."
With three seasons left, Harsey has a lot to look forward to on the field, but characteristically she is focused on the big picture and how she can improve herself to add more to the team.
"I think that really I need to stay consistent to help the team, stay mentally within the game and mentally within myself," Harsey said.
Harsey pointed to her uncertainty and lack of confidence early in the season as a part of her own freshman experience that she hopes to help next year's freshmen avoid.
"I just want for them to feel comfortable playing next year. This whole season was all mental. It wasn't that I wasn't physically capable of playing in the beginning, but I was psyching myself out in Florida on the training trip."
With her team-oriented, fun-loving attitude and her love for the game, it is evident why Jenny Harsey is such an important part of the Big Green softball machine.
"She is going to certainly be a leader of this team, and will benefit from the experience of her freshman year to take the next step in 1999. She has the talent and the work ethic and the positive attitude to be an outstanding Division 1 softball player. It will be fun to watch her play for the next three years," Bender said.
