MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama softball freshman infielder Jordyn Calderon recently sat down with USAJaguars.com to her path to South Alabama, growing up playing softball in the northeast and what type of player fans can expect to see on the field, among other topics.

Calderon signed with the Jaguars after lettering at Jackson Memorial High School in Jackson, N.J.  She is the first player in program history from the "Garden State."  As a senior, Calderon hit .568 and of her 46 hits, 23 were for extra bases – 13 doubles, 4 triples and 6 home runs – while she also drove in 26.  She was a four-year letter winner for the Jaguars and also earned first-team all-Shore honors each of her last three seasons.  During her prep career, Calderon never batted below .490 and hit a season-best .601 as a junior.

Talk about your path to South Alabama.
"I've been playing softball since I was eight.  I joined New Jersey Intensity, my travel team, when I was in eighth grade.  Before I came here, I struggled to find the right school to sign with; there were a lot of schools that I felt that I would be settling for if I had signed with them just because it was getting late in the process.  Last summer, I was at PGF Nationals in California and coach [Becky] Clark and coach {Kristina] McCain were there to watch someone else on my team, but when they saw me they were interested in me.  

"I then had an unofficial visit here and the when I was at a tournament in Florida in October, I had another a triple in one game they were at and then the next game I hit a single and they left and I thought that they weren't interested in me anymore.  In the middle of that game though my coach told me to check my phone and I had an offer from them.

"My final two choices were between South Alabama and St. Joseph's in Philadelphia [Pa.].  I could have chosen to stay close to home with St. Joe's only being an hour from my house, but when I came here for my unofficial visit I just knew this was the place for me immediately."

What has it been like for you being away from home for the first time in your life?
"The first two weeks were rough because I was so scared and didn't really know what to do living on my own.  The fear that my parents had for me being so far from home also made me more nervous and them being scared made me scared, but after about two weeks I was able to get into the rhythm of things and know I'm good.  I'll get to go home in October for fall break and I'm excited for that, but it's not like I'm itching to get home."

Growing up in the northeast, how is playing softball different from other areas of the country?
"High school ball up north isn't as competitive as it is down here or on the west coast, but I would say that my travel team was the top team to be on in the northeast.  When we played teams down here or from California, whether we won or lost, it was always a good game.  Up north there are only three or four really good teams, whereas down here there are about 30-40."

What kind of an impact do you hope to make on the team this season?
"I hope to show what New Jersey is all about and show them what I'm all about and where I come from and blow them away."

What area of your game are you looking at improving this fall?
"I would probably say my hitting, not that I can't hit, but I feel that the coaches believe I can be a better hitter than what I actually know.  I'm working on the mental part of it and believing I can do it."

You mentioned that the first two weeks here at South were rough for you, but how has the adjustment to college life been for you since then?
"I think it's been fun.  I love having my own space.  When I was home, I didn't have to report my parents, but now I'll talk to my parents once or twice a day just to check up with them.  After I do that though, I'm on my own and I kind of like it."

Is there a teammate of yours that has helped you with the adjustment to college life?
"I would definitely say KK [Katelyn] Gruich.  I used to play travel ball with her.  Even before I came to college though, she was like an older sister to me, and I honestly don't know if I would have made it here without her.  She helped me with literally everything from moving in, to applying to college, to showing me where all of my classes were, to helping me when I was freaking out over my busy schedule, just everything.  Next year when I'm a sophomore and the freshmen come in, I want to be the type of person for them that KK was for us."

What type of player can fans expect to see out of the field?
"They'll see someone who doesn't ever give in on anything; I'm not going to run from a problem or any situation.  I take things on head first.  I'm all about my team and not about myself.  I'm not focused on whether or not I'm getting playing time, but rather 'Is my team doing well?'  Of course I want to do well, but I'm focused on the team doing well first."

What are you majoring in at South Alabama and what do you plan to do after graduation?
"I'm undecided on my major right now, but I think I want to go into public relations or something in the entertainment industry; either of those would be cool.  I might also want to go into something involved with social media.  I don't want to do anything like accounting or being a doctor, that's just not my forte."

You mentioned that one thing you would possibly like to go into is something involved with social media.  What's your favorite form of social media?
"Instagram."

What is one interesting thing that Jaguar fans may not know about you?
"I think that I'm the first player in the program from New Jersey.  I also don't like cheese on anything.  I will even take it off my pizza."

Do you have any pregame superstitions?
"The night before every game, I have to cut my nails.  I also put my batting gloves on in a certain order.  If I don't do well in an at-bat and I put my right glove on first, I will put my left one on first before the next at-bat."

What is your favorite type of music to listen to?
"Hip-Hop or rap."

What do you like to do in your spare time?
"In my spare time here at South, I like to go to study hall, but I also like to go on social media and watch reality TV, that's my favorite kind to watch.  I also like to cook things."

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.

—USA—