Jessica Warren had a remarkable college softball career. The former Alonso standout led FSU in nearly every offensive category as a senior, including batting average (.470), home runs (21) and RBIs (70). She also finished her career as the school and ACC leader in home runs (82) and RBIs (273) en route to guiding the Seminoles to their first — and only — national title in 2018.
Those offensive numbers were impressive.
What about defense?
She had that, too.
In 2019, Warren became just the fourth female ever to win a Rawlings Gold Glove, joining former Countryside and LSU star A.J. Andrews on that exclusive list. Warren’s most memorable defensive play came in the opening game of the 2018 championship series against Washington. The third baseman made a full-extension diving catch, an acrobatic play that was the top highlight on SportsCenter and has forever lived in FSU and Women’s College World Series lore.
That resume helped Warren land on ESPN’s list of the greatest third basemen to ever play college softball. Fans voted on the best at each position and the results were broadcast on a special the network aired on Tuesday.
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Warren said she never tried to pump up support among the Seminoles’ faithful.
“I kind of just let it play itself out,” she said of the voting process.
Among the fans, Warren finished third with 13 percent of the vote. Former Auburn standout Kasey Cooper was the winner with 25 percent.
After the fan results were revealed, the 7-inning Podcast crew, which includes former Olympian and Treasure Island resident Michele Smith, disclosed their list. Warren was the greatest third baseman in college softball according to the expert panel.
“It’s so cool being put in a lineup with literally some of the best players to ever play softball,” Warren said.
These days, Warren plays professionally. In a few days, she is going to Viera to start training with the USSSA Pride, which will team with the Scrap Yard Dawgs in a barnstorming tour that lasts through July. After that, Warren will head to Chicago to play in a new league, Athletes Unlimited, which starts in August and finishes at the end of September.
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