After missing the majority of her freshman softball season because of a hip injury, ADM junior pitcher Molly Jacobsen enjoyed a breakout year in 2014.
Jacobsen flustered hitters all last season, posting a 1.91 ERA with 330 strikeouts in 238 innings en route to being named First Team All-State. Those numbers, remarkable standing alone, are even more impressive when considering the junior pitched on a bad left knee.
A standout forward for ADM varsity girls basketball, Jacobsen suffered from chronic patellar tendinitis and had torn tissue under her left kneecap. She visited doctors throughout last season, but swelling prevented a clear diagnosis. So Jacobsen pitched through pain each and every start, waiting until after the season to have her left knee scoped.
Following surgery in the fall, she’s as good as new — and that’s a scary thought for hitters.
“I’ve noticed that that really helps – not being in pain while pitching is so nice,” Jacobsen said. “So that’s really helped my velocity; I’m able to push off harder because it was my push off leg. And I think just breaking down my mechanics has helped a lot. Staying on the power line is a big thing I’ve kind of struggled with, but this year I’m working on that and it’s helped quite a bit.”
Everything has improved physically for Jacobsen, who said the torn tissue made it feel like she had a permanent rock in her shoe that shot searing pain up her leg with every pitch. She’s able to squat more, run more, and doing everything else that will help her improve.
Tigers head coach Rick Dillinger said at a recent practice every good softball team is strong up the middle; ADM has that with Jacobsen and senior shortstop Kenzi Sutton. With a healthy knee, another First Team All-State selection is well within reach for Jacobsen.
Dillinger, like any good coach, gave his thoughts on where Jacbosen could continue to get better.
“Well she needs to increase velocity,” Dillinger said. “Of course all pitchers want to do that. And that’s tough to do once you get to around the 60 mile-an-hour range and up – gaining a mile an hour is tough, and a lot of that is strength. But keeping command on her pitches; we’re working on that. Maybe fine-tuning every pitch she has, but she does have great movement, that’s one of her strengths.”
The Tigers had their season opener Tuesday against Des Moines Roosevelt at home washed out by rain. That game will be made up at 5:30 p.m. July 3. ADM plays host to Carroll Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m., a game that can be heard live on K107 and raccoonvalleyradio.com, with pregame coverage starting at 7:15.