Softball: Freshman Jones beginning career with record-setting season

With eight wins in her first 10 appearances, Pitt freshman Karlyn Jones boasts the best start… With eight wins in her first 10 appearances, Pitt freshman Karlyn Jones boasts the best start for any freshman pitcher in the history of the Pitt softball program.

So far this season, Jones has racked up an 8-3 record and a 1.22 ERA, which ranks her second in the Big East. Jones didn’t predict the early successes or the wide-open opportunity to lead Pitt to victory when she arrived on campus this year.

“Coming in as a freshman, I had an idea that I would play, but not to the extent that I have,” Jones said. “I am grateful for the trust that Coach [Holly Aprile] puts in me with each start.”

Aprile said that she sees Jones as a perfect fit for her starting pitcher rotation, especially given Jones’ demeanor on the mound.

“Karlyn never gets too high or too low,” Aprile said. “That attitude allows her to focus on her pitching.”

Jones’ pitching statistics put her in the top tier of the Big East, and she is no stranger to such success. She earned many accolades during her high school pitching career at Spanish Springs High School in Nevada.

As a senior, Jones led her team to the 2010 Class 4A state title and was named the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Class 4A State Player of the Year. She finished with a 24-1 record and recorded 229 strikeouts.

But Jones considers the honors and awards simply a byproduct of diligence, as she chooses to place her focus on the details of her game.

“When I had my eighth win this year, I had no idea that that was a freshman record through 10 games,” Jones said. “Those things are nice when they do happen, but I see them more as a result of hard work than anything.”

Since arriving at Pitt, Jones has worked hard to adjust to the collegiate level. She’s noticed a difference in the style of play between high school and college.

“In high school, I just went after the batter and the strikeout,” Jones said. “Now I see that I need to be more concerned with pitch placement and focus in on each batter.”

Guiding Jones through the season are two pitchers with more collegiate experience.

The other two starters in the Panther pitching rotation, Alyssa O’Connell and Cory Berliner, are both experienced seniors who are passing on their knowledge to a grateful Jones.

“Alyssa and Cory have been incredibly helpful in guiding me so far this year,” Jones said. “Whenever I struggle with something, even my mechanics, I know I can go to them for advice.”

Aprile said she’s also noticed O’Connell’s and Berliner’s leadership.

“Karlyn is able to learn so much from Alyssa and Cory, and hopefully that will continue to be an advantage,” Aprile said. “Anything Karlyn can take from their experiences will help her as a pitcher.”

Berliner recently became the leader in career wins in Pitt history, and O’Connell leads the Big East in ERA and opponent batting average.

As the two senior pitchers focus on the last season of their impressive careers, they also recognize the responsibility they have to share their experiences with younger players like Jones.

“As a senior and a captain, I do see myself as a leader,” Berliner said. “The best way for me to lead is by example, and I hope that comes through with my play.”

Jones seems to have benefited considerably from this leadership, and it will prove even more valuable in the future after Berliner and O’Connell graduate, leaving Jones the only member of the pitching staff with college-level experience.

The experience she gains this season will allow Jones to take on the role of mentor for incoming Panther pitchers.

“We have two freshman pitchers coming in next season,” Aprile said. “With Karlyn learning so much this year, she will be able to lead the newest members of the rotation.”

Jones knows that her role will change in the coming years as she emerges as the Panthers’ veteran pitcher.

“I understand that I will have to take on the leadership role for the pitching staff,” Jones said. “Right now, I am just taking in everything I can from Alyssa and Cory in preparation for that time.”

Currently though, Jones is still a freshman adjusting to leaving home and entering a new stage of life. With plenty to keep her busy, she doesn’t spend time speculating about the future.

“It is definitely an adjustment in transitioning to college, and not just in terms of softball,” Jones said. “Pittsburgh is a much bigger city than Reno, Nev., and just getting used to that is different.”

The move to the East Coast also separated Jones from her family members, but that does not stop them from catching a game when they can.

“My family will be able to see me pitch when they travel here for the DePaul series on April 14,” Jones said. “It’s nice to be in a new place, but it’s also nice to have family around sometimes.”

When Jones’ family arrives to watch her play, they’ll sit in the new Petersen Sports Complex that houses Panther softball, baseball and soccer. The complex on upper campus officially opened in mid-March.

Jones is the part of the first class that will spend all four years in the state-of-the-art facility, which she calls a special opportunity.

“The new field is just awesome,” Jones said. “To be able to play in a place that nice for my entire career is something I am really looking forward to doing.”