Milligan College Buffaloes

Jessica Blevins wasn't always the home run queen on the Milligan College softball team. Growing up, softball was simply a way to spend time with a person she adored.

“My dad was amazing,” Blevins said about her father Jerry. “We would go to Winged Deer Park and he would spend at least 30 or 40 dollars a day with me out there swinging the bat. We spent a ton of time there. I probably hit over 900 pitches every time I went.”

Daddy's little girl has now become the most feared hitter in the Appalachian Athletic Conference. The junior first baseman hit a team-high .412 with 14 home runs and 55 RBI for the Lady Buffs a year ago. She also led the team with 49 runs scored.

Through the first eight games of this season, she has belted three doubles, one triple and two home runs. She leads the team with a .778 slugging percentage and a .452 on-base percentage.

While there is plenty of power in the left-hander's swing, it's not the biggest asset in being a long-ball hitter.

“It's more speed because if you have quick hands and the pitcher is quick and you make contact with the ball, it's going to go,” said Blevins. “Power you need that, but more for slower pitches. Fast pitchers, you hit the ball and it's pretty much it.”

A local girl from the Turkeytown community of Watauga who lives with her father and mother Shelby, Blevins took an indirect route to Milligan. An All-Watauga Conference selection at Happy Valley, her collegiate career began at Carson-Newman. Former Warrior teammate Alicia Dick made a big influence on Blevins' decision to come back home and transfer to Milligan.

“It wasn't the main reason I came here, but I really wanted to play with Alicia,” said Blevins. “She's amazing. She was a great pitcher, catcher and most of all, a great person.”

She's one of several Milligan teammates who have positively influenced Blevins. A special bond was formed with Megan Aldridge, whom Blevins teamed with to give head coach Wes Holly a powerful 3-4 combination in the Lady Buffs' lineup last season.

“Megan received the AAC player of the year award,” said Holly. “That isn't likely for an infielder, but Jessica and Megan produced over 125 runs for us. We probably had the best 3-4 punch in the league last year.”

It was easy for Blevins to hit it off with Aldridge, also a local product from Science Hill. Their games were similar and they shared many of the same goals.

“Megan and I did very well together,” said Blevins. “Our first and second batters would get on base and if one of us couldn't drive runs in, the other one would.”

A business major looking at a career in hospital management, Blevins also has eyes on becoming a coach like Aldridge at Science Hill. She's even assisted coach Mike Dorsey at Happy Valley Middle School despite a busy schedule that includes classes, softball and a part-time job.

Blevins was recommended by opposing coaches to play this June in Italy as part of an American International Sports Tours team. Although she has traveled to the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico, this will be her first trip to a foreign country. It comes only two months after the Milligan women's team is scheduled to host to the U.S. Olympic squad at Cardinal Park.

“I never expected anything like this, playing the Olympic team and going to Italy in the summer,” said Blevins. “It's going to be crazy, getting on a plane, meeting the girls and playing the next day. We're not getting any practice time beforehand, just two or three warm-ups before our first game.”

Opposing coaches only get a glimpse of what she means to the Milligan program. Head coach Wes Holly has seen improvement defensively with her backhand skills, which has resulted in a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage this season. He really appreciates No. 17's offensive production, but most of all, praises her attitude.

“Jessica is a tremendous hitter and first baseman,” he said. “She's a very strong girl and plays well in all areas. Jessica simply does her job and is very humble about it. She's very team-oriented, not selfish at all. She's an ideal player for a coach, a coach on the field.”

Milligan outfielder Sarah Smith, another local product from Elizabethton, had similar praise for Blevins when sharing how their relationship changed from high school rivals to close friends and teammates. The way Blevins was quick to credit others for the Lady Buffs' 5-3 start to the season confirmed all the nice things they said about her.

“Everyone plays their roles and does their part for the team,” said Blevins. “Right now, we have a great pitching staff. Our entire team works so hard together. Everyone plays a vital role in our success.”