For the better part of her life, softball has been a year-round endeavor for Lady Champion senior Lani Jones.
From way back to when she picked up a baseball in third grade, to recreation league softball, to travel ball and playing throughout her scholastic career at Cascade, it’s been a little less of a sport and a little more way of life.
That way of life has led her to signing her letter of intent to continue her softball career at Chattanooga State, where she will officially join the Lady Tigers this fall.
“It means a lot to me to have all my teammates, my coaches, my parents and the faculty here, just showing support. It really means a lot to me,” Jones said.
Jones was joined in front of her teammates, coaches, parents and faculty at Cascade recently and made her signing official.
When it came time to venture through the recruiting process, Jones had a handful of schools in consideration, but the campus and closeness to home made it an easy decision for the future Lady Tiger.
“I went down there for a visit and I just loved it. All the girls were so sweet. The coaches were some of the best I’ve ever met. They’re understanding and supporting of the girls and it’s just a really fun environment to be around,” she said.
“It was just really far from home and I’m a homebody, so I didn’t want to move that far from home. I wanted a big change, but be close enough to where I can come home to my family.”
Jones has been a key component of the Cascade lineup through her four years playing at Cascade, but got her start in third grade playing baseball.
From there, the rest is history.
“I started playing baseball when I was four. In about third grade, I started playing softball and after about one year, I started playing travel ball and kept going up from there,” she said.
Jones has played year-round for several years and throughout the different teams she’s played for, she’s been able to play multiple positions.
“I’ll play outfield, but if needed I can play middle infield or wherever they need me. You have to earn a position anywhere you go. You still have to work hard to earn a position. I was told you’ll get to play a lot your freshman year, but you still have to work,” she said.
Throughout years of playing year-round softball, Jones said her favorite memory was being part of the 2019 state tournament team.
“Definitely playing in the state tournament my freshman year. I got to start and I was on the field and playing with all these girls older than me being at the state tournament, it was just really cool,” Jone said.
While she’s still several months from officially reporting to campus, Jones will join the other incoming freshmen at Chattanooga State for a week of practices before classes officially begin on August 15.
Jones plans on pursuing a degree in engineering technology.