Recent Branford High School graduate Jess Shanley was a four-year varsity player for the Hornets’ softball squad who served as a captain in her junior and senior seasons. Jess learned a lot about how to lead the team last spring and then put what she learned to good use during her senior campaign.

Head Coach Tori Ramada says that Jess was an outstanding leader who constantly supported her teammates.

“Jess always motivating with her players and really kept their attitudes up in times of need. If we needed a team pick-me-up, she was the go-to person,” says Ramada. “Jess was such a positive asset to the team. She would always stay positive with the team huddles before and after games. She kept everyone up and going when we needed pumping up.”

One of the most interesting aspects about Jess’s tenure at Branford is that she transitioned from a right-handed hitter to a left-handed hitter. After batting ninth in the order from the right side of the plate in her freshman year, Jess switched over to lefty and started making more contact by slapping the ball effectively.

This progression resulted in Jess getting bumped up to the leadoff spot, where she batted throughout her sophomore, junior, and senior seasons.

“Our assistant coach [Lindsay Wasserman] taught me to hit lefty. I knew I was struggling hitting righty, and I just wanted to help the team out, so I said, ‘Why not?’” Jess says. “We went through it, and I picked it up naturally. I started out dragging and bunting and, whenever I’d do it, the whole team would get excited. That helped me to push and get even better.”

Jess also competed for the Hornets’ travel softball program, and she routinely played all over the field. It meant a lot to Jess that she was a solid utility player. With the high school team, Jess settled in quite nicely at first base.

“I can play pretty much everywhere. Growing up, I knew every position and was good enough to play them, but throughout high school, I got to master first base,” Jess says. “I really liked that comfort where I felt secure to one position. That gave me a lot of confidence.”

Jess made her mark by becoming a great defensive first baseman for Branford. Jess liked how she was constantly involved in the game while manning that position.

“Every single play, you have a role. It’s not just catching the ball. Sometimes you’re fielding a grounder or you’re the cutoff or you’re backing up a play. I like to be involved in every play,” Jess says. “I take pride in the fact that my teammates could trust me over there and they know, even if they didn’t make a perfect throw, I can pick them up.”

Jess is planning on playing club softball at UMass-Amherst. As she looks back on her time in Branford, Jess will miss the camaraderie among her teammates the most.

“My best friends play softball, and I like that we get to play together,” says Jess. “It’s softball that brought us together.”