MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama softball freshman outfielder Jayden Dukes sat down with USAJaguars.com to discuss her path to South Alabama, what teammate she's looked up to, and if she has any pregame superstitions, among other topics.

Dukes lettered three seasons at Sam Houston High School in Moss Bluff, La., where she helped the Broncos to a 26-8 overall record and win the program's fourth-straight district championship during her senior season.  Dukes was a District 3-5A first-team all-district selection as a junior after picking up honorable mention honors as a freshman.  During the 2014 season, Dukes posted a .364 batting average and a .532 slugging percentage where she also had 25 RBI and 12 runs scored.  Of her 28 hits, 10 were for extra bases – eight doubles, one triple and one home run, while helping SHHS capture the Louisiana 5A State Championship during her junior season.   

Talk about your path to South Alabama?
"I was on a team that played in a round-robin tournament here and the coaches like what they saw in me.  They talked with my coaches and asked me to come to a camp here and then on a visit.  I liked it here on my visit."

Why did you choose to come to South Alabama?
"The two reasons I chose to come here were because of the softball program and because of the medical program here."

What are you majoring in at South Alabama and what do you plan to do after graduation?
"I'm a biomedical science major.  I really just want to get into med school and from there I'm going to figure out what I want to do because I'm not sure yet."

What kind of an impact do you hope to make on the team this season?
"I hope to just be a good teammate.  I want to do whatever they need me to do."

What was the fall semester been like for you?
"It was different.  I hadto study a lot more than I did in high school.  Trying to balance softball and school was a little difficult, but I made it work."

Is there a teammate of yours that has helped you with the transition?
"KK [Katelyn Gruich] helps a lot.  Right from the beginning she has been helpful to me."

What do you feel is a strength that you bring to the team and why?
"I would probably say my work ethic; I always work hard.  I just want to help the team win and whatever my role is on the team is what I'm going to do."

What type of player can fans expect to see out of the field?
"I'm a gritty player.  I just try to make sure I get my job done."

What do you feel will be the biggest adjustment for you here at South Alabama?
"Probably studying and managing my time with sports and school."

Do you have a favorite place on campus?
"Study hall.  That's where I get all my work done.  Without study hall, I probably wouldn't get much of my work done.  It's a quiet place."

Do you have any pregame superstitions?
"I always have to have the same bracelets on, have to warm up the same every time, put on my clothes in the same order; I'm pretty superstitious."

What is your favorite type of music to listen to?
"Probably pop music."

What is your favorite memory that you have had so far playing softball?
"My sophomore year of high school we won a state championship so I would say that's the best one I've had."

What's your favorite form of social media?
"Snap Chat."

What do you like to do in your spare time?
"I like to read and listen to music.  I'm kind of a nerd."

Who has been the most influential person in your life?
"My mom.  She's always been a lot of stuff to help our family and she's been a great parent; I couldn't have asked for a better mom."

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

Join the Bullpen Club, the softball specific support club of the Jaguar Athletic Fund.  Members have access to purchase parking passes and receive Jaguar Softball gear.  All donations to the Bullpen Club go directly to support the South Alabama softball program.  For more information on how you can join visit:  jaguarathleticfund.com/bullpenclub.

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