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Riley Russell Elizabeth Jackson 2021
Steve Simoneau

Softball Athletic Communications

Super Seniors Jackson, Russell Grateful for Second Chance Opportunity

Even before the pandemic hit, Elizabeth Jackson's senior year had taken an unfortunate turn.  A routine slide into second base during preseason practice resulted in a broken ankle and a surgery that required a lengthy rehab.  What originally had the potential to be a special season was soon proceeding without her.
 
"It was tough," Jackson said.  "It was definitely one of the most trying times in my life to have to sit and watch.  Last year, we had such a great group of girls and I had some really good friends with the team, so it was kind of sad missing out.  Plus, we were doing well. We were getting on a winning streak, we had started figuring it out, so it was definitely tough to do, but I learned a lot."
 
Added to her disappointment was the uncertainty on whether she would get to redshirt the season.  Jackson was already on "Year 5" of her NCAA clock, having played two seasons of golf at Daytona State (with an extra year off) before trading her clubs for bats and joining the Hatters in 2019.
 
"Coach Griffin kind of sat me down and he said that it wasn't looking good for my sixth year because the year I took off wasn't because of an injury.  I just took it to grow my golf game. That kind of threw a wrench in everything, and I had to start thinking about what I wanted to do after school."
 
Likewise, senior Riley Russell was also beginning to think about her post-graduation plans.  The Georgia native loved being in Florida, but planned on heading back home before deciding if, when, and where to continue her studies.
 
"For me, I was planning on starting grad school in the spring, but first, I was going to go home, work, save as much money as I could and try to make a new routine," Russell said.
 
Before heading down that road, however, Russell was focused on helping the Hatters win games.  Although she missed competing alongside Jackson, she was having a good year at the plate, on the bases, and in the field. 
 
Then In early March, the pandemic brought all activity to a halt and the countdown clock hit zero before anyone saw it coming.
 
"It was heartbreaking," Russell said.  "I think the first time I heard of any seasons getting canceled was March Madness, but I had that, 'this can't happen to me' mentality. I'm going to go out on my own terms. I've been doing this for so long. I've made it through 18 years of doing what I want and playing how I want. This isn't going to tell me I'm done. We were just getting started, I was feeling great, I was confident how I was playing, and then it just ended. I think in that moment I felt like, 'Now what?'"
 
The shock and disappointment lingered on, but a few weeks later, Russell and Jackson got a major injection of hope during a day at the beach.  While there, they received an unexpected call from coach Griffin.
 
"He said there's some talk about possibly getting an extra year of eligibility, but he said it's not for sure yet," Russell said.  "I hugged Liz and then we just started crying."
 
"I remember I was cryyy-ing," Jackson added.  "I totally lost it."
 
Even if the rumor was true, Jackson was not sure that coming back for a "6th year" would even be allowed from an NCAA standpoint or in her best interest from a personal standpoint.
 
"I'm 23 years old - I'm getting up there - I thought maybe I should start thinking about starting my life," Jackson said.  "But at the same time, I had only played one year of softball, and then I got hurt, so I felt like I needed one more year to go out on my own terms."
 
After the NCAA came out with a formal announcement, one that did clear the way for both players to return, Russell and Jackson set their sights on a comeback in 2021.  Both were sensitive to the financial impact of another year of school and making sure their families supported their decisions.  They both then enrolled in graduate programs at Stetson: Russell in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Jackson in the school's Masters of Business Administration program.  
 
Now, as the start of the 2021 season approaches, the Hatters are happy to have their two table setters reunited at the top of the lineup.  Likewise, Russell and Jackson are elated to be back on the field.
 
"It's going to be pretty awesome," Russell said, thinking ahead to opening day.  "It's been a long 11 months.  I think the hardest part was this past weekend when we're watching softball and thinking, 'Dang, we're ready to go.'  I know I'm going to be ready.  I'm going to be pumped."
 
Will the two super seniors have a new outlook on the game this year?
 
"I just want to be grateful that I am out there," Russell said.  "I've been working on having that as my mentality this year.  I may have to wear a mask and get tested all the time, but hey, at least I'm here.  I think it's just about being grateful and living in the moment."
 
"I hope to soak it all in," Jackson said.  "I never expected to get hurt. I never expected COVID to happen. I was kind of just doing my own thing and letting softball fly by me, so I think I'm definitely going to enjoy it. To enjoy the process and to be able to go out on our own terms is something that I think we will be grateful for at the end of this because we really thought we were done."
 
Stetson will open the season this weekend at The Spring Games in Clermont. The Hatters will face 12th-ranked Kentucky in the season opener at 11 a.m. Saturday, followed by games against New Mexico State, FIU, and a second matchup with Kentucky.

Fans can follow the action all season long on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and GoHatters.com.
 
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Players Mentioned

Elizabeth Jackson

#2 Elizabeth Jackson

OF
5' 3"
Super Senior
L/R
Riley Russell

#11 Riley Russell

OF
5' 2"
Super Senior
L/R

Players Mentioned

Elizabeth Jackson

#2 Elizabeth Jackson

5' 3"
Super Senior
L/R
OF
Riley Russell

#11 Riley Russell

5' 2"
Super Senior
L/R
OF