San Juan County Sports Athlete of the Week Isabella Jesse — Piedra Vista Panthers Softball
The Graphic Designer Athlete of Week Belle Jessee
By Wally D
Photos by dustdevil505 Photography Chuck Cook
When Piedra Vista Panthers needed a statement win in district play, senior standout Isabella Jesse delivered in a huge way.
Jesse turned in one of the biggest offensive performances of the season in Piedra Vista’s 16-4 victory over Cleveland Storm, helping hand Cleveland its first district loss of the year and keeping the Panthers firmly in the district race.
The senior went 4-for-5 at the plate, blasted a home run, ripped a triple, drove in four runs, and scored twice in a game that showed why she is one of the most dangerous hitters in New Mexico softball right now.
Her early home run came in a two-strike count and immediately gave Piedra Vista momentum in one of its most important district games of the season.
Head coach Coach Werth said Jesse’s offensive approach has been consistent since the beginning of her career.
“Nothing really stood out except that she’s been the same since her freshman year,” Werth said. “She used to frustrate me because I thought she took too many good pitches, but I’ve learned that’s her style, that’s her plan when she goes to the plate.”
Werth added that Jesse has become one of the few hitters he completely trusts regardless of the count.
“She had a two-strike count on her and went yard to get us on the board quickly. She did the same thing against Volcano the Friday before. She’s got to be one of the best offensive players in the state right now.”
The impact goes beyond just her own statistics.
Werth said when Jesse starts producing early, the energy spreads throughout the entire lineup.
“Tons. Tons,” Werth said when asked how her big hits affect the dugout. “She definitely gets us going and gets our dugout going. We call it pass the bat — we just want to keep it rolling.”
Jesse currently leads the Panthers in RBIs and continues to be one of the emotional leaders of a Piedra Vista team that now sits 18-6 overall and 6-2 in district, just one game behind Cleveland with two district games remaining.
Beyond her numbers, Werth says loyalty defines who Jesse is inside the program.
“She’s been here with us since her 8th-grade year, and she’s been nothing but navy and silver and white and black — she just bleeds PV Panther softball,” Werth said. “She’s always willing to do everything. I hope PV softball has a special place in her heart because she’s given a lot to it.”
With the Panthers riding a four-game winning streak and pushing toward postseason play, Jesse’s bat could be one of the biggest keys as Piedra Vista looks to make noise in Class 5A.
Her latest performance is exactly why she is this week’s San Juan County Sports Athlete of the Week
Congratulations to our San Juan County Sports Athlete of the Week, Belle Jessee
San Juan County Sports Athlete of the Week is proudly sponsored by The Graphic Designer — your local source for custom embroidery, screen printing, promotional products, business branding, signs, banners, and creative design services. Conveniently located in Farmington, The Graphic Designer helps businesses, schools, teams, and organizations stand out with professional quality and personalized service.
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