Three different head coaches have had the privilege of coaching Emma Jennings in softball at East Webster and it’s probably a good bet that they’d all have the same thing to say about the talented Lady Wolverine.
Lee Berryhill, Clayton Dodd and John Harris all got their opportunity to watch Jennings grow over the years and she’s been one of the team’s best no matter her classification. As accustomed as fans have grown to recognize the Lady Wolverines taking the field with Jennings, her final run is coming this season and maroon and white.
Thanks to her work ethic that has led to a stellar career in Cumberland, Jennings earned a scholarship to continue that career at Northwest Community College.
“You’re always excited whenever they want to play on the next level, but they’re also willing to put in the work,” Harris said at Jennings’ signing event on Wednesday. “That was the best thing about her is the work that she puts in to get to that level. She’ll be able to adjust wherever she needs to be and be productive at it. She’s determined to be the best no matter where she’s at and she doesn’t settle. She strives to be perfect.”
Jennings had her pick of junior college teams around the state of Mississippi and decided on the Lady Rangers. For a player that has known nothing but winning in her softball career, Jennings should keep it rolling in Senatobia.
Former Mississippi State softball great Chelsea Bramlett leads the charge for NWCC and has had an incredible four seasons with a 99-50 record and last season took the team to No. 2 at one point in the year while finishing 32-11 with a trip to the Region 23 Tournament. Getting a chance to play in a program like that is a blessing for Jennings.
“I realize that a lot of people don’t get the opportunity to play at the next level so I’m really grateful for that,” Jennings said. “I really like the town of Senatobia and the coaching staff and my best friends are going there.”
Prior to her college career, Jennings gets one last run with her teammates at EWHS, and this year it will be in Class 3A after the school’s move up. Jennings is coming off of one of the best seasons of her career as she batted .443 with 51 hits and a team-best 13 doubles, six triples, four home runs and 40 RBI.
Jennings was step-for-step with SDN Player of the Year Peyton Flora the entire way and got a chance to learn a lot from her former teammate. Now she takes over as the team leader coming into her senior year and she leads by example having played several different positions and performed many different roles over the years.
“I’m excited to play at the next level but I’m more excited for my senior year,” Jennings said. “I’m excited to play with some of the underclassmen that I haven’t had a chance to play with. That will be really fun.”
