By Mike Beas
Jocelyn Calvin is expected to be the No. 1 pitcher for the Plainfield softball team this spring. She’ll play shortstop on the days she’s not on the hill.
That is if she’s not playing third base. Or second or first base.
A starter for the Quakers since her freshman season, Calvin, now a senior, either has played or can play virtually anywhere in the infield.
“Jocelyn could honestly play any position. She’s very reliable and very versatile,” said fifth-year Plainfield coach Jamie Collier. “It’s a mix of being a great natural athlete and her drive. She wants to be the best, but is also a great teammate.”
In 2018, Calvin was the squad’s second pitcher and a first baseman. She pitched 101 2/3 innings as a sophomore, striking out 99 batters on her way to a 2.34 earned run average. Offensively, she batted .389, an average that included nine doubles and three home runs.
Calvin was hoping to build on that success, though any chance of a junior campaign ceased when spring sports were canceled due to pandemic precautions.
Nonetheless, her first two seasons combined with academic success — Calvin’s 4.38 grade point average ranks her 55th academically in a senior class of 414 students — made her a strong candidate to play softball in college.
In the fall, she signed a national letter of intent to play at the University of Indianapolis.
Calvin did a Q&A with ICON:
Q: It had been two years since Plainfield softball played a game. What’s it going to be like getting back on the field?
A: It’s going to be really exciting. The season is finally here, and we’re all excited. It’s been sad not to play because you play your freshman and sophomore seasons, but not your junior year. Last year you have your tryouts and wonder how it’s going to turn out. It was really sad that we didn’t have a season.
Q: Do you play any other sports at Plainfield, and how did you get started playing softball?
A: I do not. I’m pretty sure I was about 7 when I started, and I feel the reason I’m so passionate about it is (that) my dad (Brandon) coached me when I was little, and it was a way for me to spend time with him. Practices are fun in softball. You get to see your friends every day.
Q: What do you plan to major in at the University of Indianapolis, and why?
A: Psychology. I want to be a therapist to be able to help people through their mental health issues. I never really knew what I wanted to do until right before I committed to UIndy (in January 2020). I just really like to talk to people and help people.
Athlete of the Week