Junior catcher, 16u AS, Jordan Barnes, a third-year starter who hit .409 with 11 doubles and 36 RBIs last season, is well aware of the transition. She’s a bridge between the two eras.
“I want to see a development in our mental strength,” Barnes said. “I feel like, even though we’re physically there, there’s a mental block you need to get through. It happened my freshman year, for sure. People don’t talk about it enough. I feel like once we collectively break that barrier, everything will come around.”
Barnes, a La Grange Highlands resident, has taken a different approach at the plate this season. After going up with the idea of hitting the ball as hard as she could last season, no matter where it was pitched, her eye sharpened considerably. This season, upon her coach’s recommendation, Barnes has no plans to swing at all unless it’s a perfect pitch.