Woodruff Softball’s Super Sophomores Simmons and Means Work Double at Shortstop and in the Pitching Circle
By: Garrett Mitchell, Staff Writer | garrett@thewoodrufftimes.com
For two Woodruff softball stars, it is double duty on the diamond.
Sophomores Danicka Simmons and Jaylen Means are two of the main reasons for the Lady Wolverines’ success, and their ability to do a double-take has made them even more dangerous to opponents. Simmons and Means are both starting pitchers for Woodruff. They are also the Lady Wolverines’ starting shortstops.
When one pitches, the other plays short, and vice versa. And both bring their unique talents to each position.
“Jaylen is a great athlete,” explains Simmons. “I, myself, am a good athlete, and I’m aware of that. So that just goes along with it. We both can field our position, pitching or at shortstop, and Jaylen does a great job at both. It definitely helps in games where maybe my arm is sore and Jaylen can come in and (pitch) and she does a great job.”
For Danicka and Jaylen, it’s a matter of trust and knowing they have each other to rely on, regardless of who is in the circle. For Means, it makes the game easier when she is in the pitcher’s circle, knowing that her fellow ace is playing behind her.
“If the ball goes to Dani, I know she’s going to catch it,” Means states. “I know she’s going to do good pitching. She has a good pitcher’s mindset and is a great athlete. I just feel comfortable playing with her.”
And the feeling is mutual.
“I have a lot of confidence because I know Jaylen is there to back me up whenever I need it,” added Simmons. “I’m always there to back her up when she needs it, too.”
Woodruff head softball coach Will Lanford explained how vital the versatility of his two sophomore standouts is to the team’s success. With four games remaining in the regular season, the Lady Wolverines are 13-5 and in the hunt for the fifth region championship in program history.
“You don’t really want your shortstop to be a pitcher because you never like to move the captain of your infield into the circle and then have to put someone else out there, but they are interchangeable,” said Lanford. “I have confidence in both of them in the circle, and I have great confidence in both of them at shortstop. We don’t miss a beat either way, and that is a huge advantage for us.”
That advantage is backed up by the numbers.
Simmons is 9-4 with a 3.20 earned run average. Means sports a record of 5-1 with an ERA of 3.25. Both players have fielding percentages over 95 percent. Also, not surprisingly, both Danicka and Jaylen are among the best hitters in the Woodruff lineup, with Simmons hitting .429 and Means batting .383 for the season.
When in the circle, both players are just as much alike as they are different. Both are prolific strike throwers, but Means has a bit more velocity and the ability to induce ground balls. When Simmons is playing shortstop behind her, that usually leads to a lot of quick outs for the Lady Wolverines.
“I throw strikes,” says Means. “That’s what I try to do. I have a good defensive team behind me, so all I have to do is throw strikes. I have learned what it really, truly means to have good teammates that will have your back. Our team has elite defense. Honestly, I don’t think about it. I just go out there and if a ball is near me, I’m going to try my hardest to get it, and if not, I’m going to go cover the base.”
You would never know it by watching her play, but for Means, this season is the first time she has played competitive softball since fifth grade. Also a star for the Lady Wolverines’ volleyball and basketball teams, Jaylen had given up softball by the time she reached middle school. Coach Lanford admits he tried for years to get Means back on the field, and finally talked her into it.
But Jaylen is a natural.
“We kept begging her to come out; her sister (Hayden) is playing, so we finally got her out here and she has been a sponge,” Lanford added. “It’s awesome that Danicka is right there with her playing both positions, and she does have a little more experience. Jaylen can do anything, probably anything on that field, and that makes it a lot easier. With her not having experience, she can make up for things right now with just athletic ability. But with every game, you can see her getting more confident, and the whole team, really, has helped her and has a lot to do with that success.”
As Means grows in the game, she has Simmons there to help her along. It has helped slow the game down for both players, and Simmons says she wants to be there for Jaylen in any way she can. It has greatly benefited each player, as Simmons has emerged as a team leader while helping Means get reacclimated to the game.
“Obviously, she’s a three-sport athlete, so she is athletic in anything she does,” Simmons said. “I just try to help her with mindset. Mindset is key to literally everything. If you have a bad mindset, you’re probably not going to do your best. Having a good mindset really does help.”
Winning also helps create a positive mindset. In her latest outing, Simmons befuddled Mountain View Prep while tossing a complete-game shutout. Means was right behind her at shortstop the entire way. In the times when she does need advice, though, Jaylen knows exactly where to go to find it.
“Since this is my first year playing softball in a long time, it makes me feel more comfortable on the field and, you know, (Danicka) is just there and I know that I have someone who has my back,” she says. “If I have questions, I can just ask her.”
Lanford is excited about the prospects of coaching Simmons and Means for two more seasons, too, as the youthful dynamic duo continues getting better together.
“I couldn’t be more excited about the next couple of years because, I’m telling you, they’ll keep improving because I know what type of players they are,” said Lanford.
As long as Danicka Simmons and Jaylen Means pull double duty, they will continue to be double trouble for anyone playing Woodruff for quite a while to come.
Author: gmitchell85
