Jessica Moore will finish her career this year as one of the most decorated pitchers in Oregon softball history.
“I wanted to help be a program changer,” said the senior from Sutter, Calif.
With holding the top spot for all-time wins (97), strikeouts (881) and appearances (170), Moore has definitely done just that.
Moore, along with her fellow three seniors, set a new standard for the Oregon softball team, which will make its fourth-straight post-season appearance this year. The Ducks also snagged their first ever Pac-12 conference title, boasting a 19-5 conference record.
“I wanted to kind of put ourselves back on the map,” she said. “I didn’t realize that my career would turn out how it has. But, that is one of the reasons I wanted to come here, because I wanted to make the biggest difference in the circle.”
Another factor in Moore’s decision to pick Oregon was the hometown feel.
“I am a small town girl … Personally Oregon was the greatest fit for me, and I have really enjoyed our community and everything that surrounds the University of Oregon,” she said.
In her final season here, Moore has continued to strive for success. The Northern California native is 24-4 on the season with a 1.59 ERA and throwing 163 strikeouts.
“I think I have just embraced that it is my last year and that this is my final time to do what I would like to do in my collegiate career,” she said. “So I have just tried to take it in stride, really put my focus on our team to finish in a really good position.”
Moore admits that she has grown so much as a player since her freshman year, and credits both her coach and teammates for all her accomplishments.
“I think the coaches have continued to push me throughout my four years, and I have continued to get better both physically and mentally,” she said.
Just last week Moore was selected as a top 10 finalist for USA Softball’s Player of the Year, which is considered one of the most prestigious awards in collegiate softball. In addition, Moore, along with teammate junior catcher Alexa Peterson, was invited to try-out in June for the USA Softball Women’s National Team.
As the Ducks head into postseason play, Moore said she hopes her knowledge and previous experience in the playoffs will help her team relax as they battle in postseason play. If the Ducks can win their regional for the second straight year, they’ll earn the right to host the first Super Regional in school history.
“As a team we just have to realize it’s one more game in our season, and we can’t look at it as if it’s a bigger spotlight than what it should be.”
The third seeded Ducks begin posteason play Thursday against BYU at Howe Field. North Carolina and Wisconsin round out the Eugene Regional.