Jessika Jennings Named NWFL Player of the Month for June

The Alliance Fastpitch proudly announces Jessika Jennings (2025) from the Northwest Fastpitch League (NWFL) as Player of the Month for her remarkable play in June 2024. Jessika Jennings, a versatile player for AI Bandits 16U Purple, excels in multiple positions—1B, P. Her June stats include a 0.412 batting average, a .450 OBP, 1 single, 1 double, 1 triple, 1 homerun and 9 RBIs. Through 28.3 innings pitched, she had 39 strikeouts and a 1.908 ERA.

Jessika Jennings’s softball journey begins at age 7, inspired by her dad’s baseball background. Her father signs her up for little league, marking the start of an amazing adventure. By 9, she loves playing 10U softball. When she reaches 12U, she decides to become a catcher, wanting to follow in her dad’s footsteps. Despite her dad’s tough initiation, which involves blocking balls until she cries, Jessika’s determination shines through, and she commits to catching. This experience becomes one of her core memories with her dad. As she moves to 14U with the Bandits, she is asked to pitch for her team. Although she had only pitched for fun, Jessika’s talent is nurtured by her pitching coach, Larry O’Toole, who becomes both her coach and therapist. She juggles pitching and catching throughout 14U, but when she transitions to 16U, she decides to focus solely on pitching. Despite her dad’s initial resistance to her catching, he feels a pang of sadness at her decision. Now a full-time pitcher and hitter, Jessika credits her dad for instilling grit and hunger in her from that initial training session.

A cherished softball memory for Jessika is placing 3rd at the 2023 TC World Series after playing six games in 100-degree heat, pitching in all six games.

Her favorite player is Kylee Magee, a former ASU player now at Nebraska. Outside of softball, Jessika enjoys participating in JROTC at her high school, reading, working out at the gym, riding horses, listening to music, and working at a swim school.

Jessika’s current goals include attending a four-year college to study chemistry while playing softball and participating in ROTC. She aspires to join the Army as an officer and become a chemical engineer.

The Alliance Fastpitch commends Jessika on her well-deserved recognition as Player of the Month, acknowledging her outstanding contributions to the sport and her commitment to personal and athletic growth.

Her coach, Curtis Elliott, describes her as a great teammate who works hard both on and off the field, which is evident in her play and academics. His favorite memories are of watching her grow in her pitching and hitting over the past year, developing into a top-level player ready for the next level. He confidently believes that good things are in store for her.

What is the Alliance Fastpitch Player Recognition Program?

The Player Recognition Program was built to recognize and spotlight our individual players in each Member League. Each month, registered Alliance Fastpitch coaches can nominate a player from their age division. League Leadership will review nominations and a monthly stats report from AthletesGoLive (AGL) to determine the League’s Player of the Month.

Following the announcement of each League’s Players of the Month, the Alliance Fastpitch will recognize a National Player of the Month. To be considered for Player of the Month, your team must score League games in AGL so your stats will be included in the League’s monthly report.