Jonathan Alder pitcher Marlee Jacobs prepares to release the ball toward the plate. Jacobs, who will play her senior season at JA in the spring, has signed to pitch at Ohio Dominican. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
Marlee Jacobs, one of the top high school softball pitchers in central Ohio, has decided where she will play on the collegiate level.
The Jonathan Alder High School senior recently signed to pitch for Ohio Dominican University.
Jacobs had looked at a couple of other schools – the University of Findlay and Ashland University – before deciding on ODU.
“I chose Ohio Dominican because of the way they are able to be flexible with my major,” she said. “They have a great program for nursing students and the university allowed me to find a major I’m interested in while still being a student-athlete.”
Jacobs said she hopes to be a neonatal nurse after graduation.
She also has big goals on the collegiate softball diamond.
“My goal for my upcoming college seasons is to try and help my team become conference champions.”
ODU is an NCAA Division II school that competes in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference.
Jacobs know a thing or two about winning championships.
As a freshman, she was the No. 1 pitcher as the Lady Pioneers claimed the Division II state title.
During that season, she posted a 21-1 record with a 1.08 earned run average.
Jacobs also had a hot bat. She hit .417 and drove in 18 runs.
Jonathan Alder went 28-1 that spring to win the state crown.
JA also claimed top honors in the Central Buckeye Conference’s Kenton Trail Division with a 15-1 record.
The Lady Pioneers were not able to defend their state title in 2020.
The entire high school spring sports season was canceled by the Ohio High School Athletic Association due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Spring sports returned to Ohio high schools this year.
Jonathan Alder again won the CBC Kenton Trail crown with a 15-1 record.
The Lady Pioneers finished the season with an overall record of 22-4, falling to Lakewood in the district tournament.
Jacobs was 20-2 in the circle with a 0.68 ERA.
She hit .343 with 16 ribbies.
Jacobs feels she will bring solid qualities to the ODU softball program.
“I feel I’m good under pressure and calm in situations which can differ from other athletes,” she said. “I always want to be able to play to the best of my ability for my team and coaches, rather than wanting to do well for only myself.”
Jacobs said it has been her dream to play collegiate softball since she was 10 years old.
“I want to be able to play softball at a competitive level, but still be able to have fun with it,” she said. “I think the team allows us to be serious and fun all at the same time, which is why I started to love softball in the first place.”
Jonathan Alder senior Marlee Jacobs (front row, center) signs to continue her softball career at Ohio Dominican University. She is pictured in the front row with her parents Greg and Kelly. Pictured from the left in the back row are, Dave McGrew, JA head softball coach; Alder assistant coaches Charlotte Palmer, Heather Colvin, Glen Widner and Tom Russell and Margret Gatts, Jacobs’ grandmother. (Photo submitted)