Athletically Speaking With Jacey Punches
June 10, 2014 | Softball
STARKVILLE, Miss. – With the summer travel softball season in full swing, Mississippi State's student-athletes spent some time with HailState.com to discuss their starts in softball.
Jacey Punches appeared in a career-high 19 games in 2014, making 11 starts. She went 7-1 with a 2.26 earned-run average and 43 strikeouts in 49.2 innings pitched. During home games, Punches posted a 4-0 record, 1.69 ERA and .129 batting-average against. The rising junior also excelled against non-conference opponents, leading the staff with a 0.67 earned-run average and .142 opponent batting average while going 7-0.
Q: How did you get started in softball?
A: My brother played baseball. I wanted to play baseball to be like him, but my parents said girls didn't play baseball. They play softball. I started playing T-ball when I was 5 years old.
Q: What was your first team's name?
A: My first team name was my T-ball squad. We were called the Wildcats. We wore maroon!
Q: What are some of your routines/superstitions on game day or during games?
A: I don't really have superstitions, but I make sure I get to the field, do my hair and makeup and change, then play Hacky Sack. I have to hack or it just doesn't feel right.
Q: What is your favorite softball memory?
A: My favorite softball memory would be my sophomore year of high school when I was living in Oklahoma. We beat Union in the state tournament at the ASA Hall of Fame Complex (where the Women's College World Series is held).
Q: If you could change one thing about softball, what would it be and why?
A: Instant replay! I think it would be cool to take another look at a close play and make sure the call is correct. One play could win or lose a game.
Q: I wear my uniform number because:
A: When I got to MSU, the coaching staff only gave me two options - No. 1 and No. 8. I chose No. 1 because No. 8 was Cat Osterman's number. I wanted my chance to make a number my own.
