Kim Jeffs is extremely busy these days. As first-year Meteorology major, and one of three pitchers on the Plymouth State Panthers Softball team, Kim has little free time to discuss her unbelievable achievement of shattering the PSC career strikeout record in her first year. With 316 strikeouts and only 9 walks, Jeffs has a .49 E.R.A., and a personal record of 20-5, it is evident that Kim is a huge asset to the panther squad, with a team record of 23-10-2 (10-4 within the L.E.C.). I was able to catch Kim at the right time and ask her a few questions about her first year at PSC.
Clock: How many years have you been playing softball?
Kim Jeffs: I have been playing softball since I was six-years-old and [I] learned how to pitch within the first two years I played. I actually was inspired to pitch by my brother because he coached the second team I was on and randomly decided that he would convince me to pitch and that I would enjoy it even though neither of us knew anything about it. Overall, I have been playing softball for twelve years in recreational leagues and summer leagues. (Mass Drifters coached by Carol Savino)
Clock: What was your high school softball career like? Any spectacular achievements?
K.J.: I attended Stoughton High in Stoughton, Massachusetts. My high school softball career had a late start. I pitched for the JV team my freshman year and had 96 strikeouts. My sophomore year, I was brought up to the Varsity team but I had to wait my turn due to two excellent pitchers in front of me, one being one of Western State Connecticut’s leading pitcher Sarah Zaslaw. I ended up sitting the bench for my sophomore and junior years, pitching only 33 innings within those years. My senior year, I was 15-5 overall and 15-1 in the league, contributing to my teams’ overall 17-5 record in the Hockomock League. I set a school record with my strikes to walks ratio of 215:12. I pitched 130 innings in my senior year, had 10 shutouts, a .59 E.R.A, a pair of no hitters and a perfect game, striking out 17. I also unanimously received league MVP and was voted a Boston Globe All-Scholastic, a Brockton Enterprise All Scholastic, A Boston Herald All Scholastic, and a Patriot Ledger All-Scholastic. I also ended my senior year season with a .390 batting avg.
Clock: How does it feel to break a career record in your freshman year?
K.J.: The feeling of breaking a career record in my freshman year is overwhelming. When I first came to Plymouth, I did not know if my course curriculum would even allow me the time to play, but when I convinced myself that it was manageable to handle my workload that comes with my major of meteorology, and play softball, I tried out for the team and made it. Although I knew playing softball would be a fun experience, especially with the group of girls that comprised the team, I never expected to achieve so much so soon.
Clock: How have your teammates and coaches responded?
K.J.: My teammates are extremely supportive and without the unconditional support from all of them, I am convinced that I would not have been nearly as successful. I always know no matter what happens at the plate that every single one of my teammates is behind me, whether it be coming up with the plays or hits in a given game or being all around supportive, I know they are there. I know I am only one player of nine out there, and I can assure you the team has all the talent they need to be successful no matter who happens to be on the mound. I am just happy that I could make a contribution to the team’s success. My Coach and the rest of the coaching staff is always very supportive as well and there is not one time that goes by that I am on the mound where I feel as if they do not believe in me. With the confidence of my teammates and my coaches, I have been left with no choice other than to believe in myself and I cannot thank them enough for giving me the confidence I have at this point.
Clock: Do you feel any added pressure when you are on the mound?
K.J.: Out of all the games I have played, I have never once felt any negative or additional pressure, and even though this is softball at the collegiate level now…I still have not felt any additional pressure. I attribute this to my parents and my team because both sources remind me that it is a game and it is for fun. Competition is fun to me, not pressure. My father especially told me that if I ever stop having fun then I should stop playing…and negative pressure has never really been added to my fun list. The only pressure I feel comes from my personal expectation I’ve had all my life, which is doing the best I possibly can at whatever I do.
Clock: What else are you looking forward to in your career at PSC?
K.J.: I am looking forward to continuing to have fun and form stronger bonds with teammates even though I already feel like I have 17 sisters. As far as goals for softball go, I intend to continue making additional adjustments to college life and to work on becoming a successful meteorologist.
Clock: Will you be pitching in any home games before the end of the semester?
K.J.: As far as I know I will not be. Friday, May 3rd, starts the LEC playoff Tournament and we will be playing at Western State Connecticut.